Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Engine Run Up
Story and Photos by Steven Valinski
March 9, 2014
It is not everyday that one gets to see a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, especially one that still flies. Designed as a supersonic air superiority fighter by Lockheed’s Skunk Works, the F-104 was able to reach Mach 2 speeds and was the first aircraft to reach an altitude of 100,000 feet. With it’s unique wing design and sleek shape, the F-104 looks more like a cold war missile than an aircraft.
This particular model is a CF-104D which is a dual-control trainer version of the Canadian CF-104 with Canadian J79-OEL-7 engine. This model was built in 1962 and only 38 aircraft of this variation were manufactured. As you can hear/see during the run up, the engine has a wonderful howl and is burning fairly clean for an aircraft built in 1962.
Owned by Fuel Fresh Inc, this jet had been stored in a hangar and is in great shape. This jet has some history at airshows and may fly again sometime before the end of the year. Stay tuned.
Steven is from Long Island, New York and now resides in sunny Mesa, Arizona. Steven’s love for aviation began when he was a child with a fascination for WWII aircraft. This love of aviation was further fostered by his uncle, a long-time Trans World Airlines (TWA) employee who had a passion for all forms of aviation.
Steven’s interest in photography began when he was 16 years old when he received his first SLR camera, a Minolta XGA. It makes sense that eventually his passion for aviation and photography would merge into a love for aviation photography.
In addition to being the web designer, webmaster and chief editor of Aviation Photography Digest, Steven has been published in numerous magazines worldwide.
Steven has an M.S. from Boston University and uses Nikon photographic equipment.
Steven is a Nikon NPS member.
Steven can be reached at: [email protected]