Our Aircraft’s History

Lockheed F-104-10-LO “Starfighter” (S/N 57-1322; MSN #483-5034) ~  Last stationed at Dayton’s National Museum of the United States Air Force (USAF) for parts, she was damaged further by a tornado that hit the nearby hangar on February 28, 2024.  Plans were initiated to scrap the aircraft but MAPS inquired about acquiring the aircraft for restoration. MAPS provided prior examples of the fine work performed by our Area 51 crew on other similarly damaged aircraft, some that were worse off. MAPS newly acquired Starfighter is a D model from GSA (General Services Administration) and was picked up by MAPS personnel on August 8, 2024. Due to MAPS obtaining the aircraft through GSA, MAPS is now the owner of this Starfighter.

Twenty-one F-104D’s were built and designed as a dual-control trainer version for the F-104C. Our Starfighter began its life in 1959 when the USAF acquired the aircraft and it was transferred to the 479th Tactical Fight Wing (TFW) at the George Air Force Base (AFB), California. Below is what we know so far of her history:

  • 1959-1967; 479th TFW, George AFB
  • UNKN Date; Transferred to the National Museum of the United States Air Force Loan Program, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.
  • 1977-1995; loaned to Grissom Air Museum, Grissom AFB, Peru-Kokomo, Indiana
  • July, 1995-2016; loaned to the City of Huntington, Indiana for display at the Wings of Freedom Museum
  • January 2016; reacquired by the National Museum of the USAF
  • 2016; Wings removed to restore F-104A 56-0754
  • August 8, 2024; acquired by MAPS Air Museum for full restoration to museum status

Our very own F-104D arrives at MAPS!

Specifications/Performance (F-104G)

  • Role: Air Superiority Fighter; Fighter-bomber
  • Manufacturer: Lockheed
  • First Flight: March 4, 1954 (XF-104)
  • Introduction: February 20, 1058
  • Retired from the US Military: 1969 (USAF), 1975 (US ANG)
  • Number built: 2,578
  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 54 ft 8 in
  • Wingspan: 21 ft 9 in
  • Height: 13 ft 6 in
  • Empty weight: 14,000 lb
  • Max takeoff weight: 29,027 lb
  • Engines: 1 x General Electric J79 afterburning turbojet, 10,000 lbf thrust dry, 15,600 lbf with afterburner
  • Max speed: Mach 2
  • Combat range: 420 mi
  • Ferry range: 1,630 mi
  • Service Ceiling: 73,000 ft

Armament, notable:

  • Guns: 1 x 20 mm M61A1 Vulcan 6-barreled rotary cannon, 725 rounds
  • Hardpoints: 7 with 4,000 lb capacity, combinations of:
    • Missiles: 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder
    • Other: Bombs, rockets, or other munitions

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    Museum display note: To be determined.  

    Designed to replace: North American F-100 Super Sabre

    Designed from: Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter

    Intended successor aircraft: McDonnell Douglas F-4 “Phantom II”