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Lockheed F-104S ASA-M Starfighter |
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Lockheed F-104S ASA-M Starfighter |
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Lockheed F-104S ASA-M Starfighter |
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Lockheed F-104S ASA-M Starfighter |
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Lockheed F-104S ASA-M Starfighter |
Lockheed F-104S ASA-M is latest version of fighter F-104 - first flight of prototype XF-104 took place in February 28, 1954.
F-104 was first serially produced fighter with ability to fly M=2 speed. Airplane F-104 holds several records:
1951 - W. W. Irving, maximal speed of fight - 2259 km/h,
1959 - J. B. Jordan - maximal height of flight - 31,515 km,
1963 - Jacqueline Cochran - maximal speed - 2299 km/h.
F-104S (S - Sparrow) version was created in 1966 for Italian Air Force - later made under licence in Italy by FIAT company. First flight of Starfighter Made in Italy took place in December 30, 1968. Total amount of F-104S built in Italy until 1979 is 246, 206 for Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare) and 40 for Turkey.
In 1981 started program ASA (Aggiornamento Sistema d'Arma - updated weapons system) - flight tests started in 1983. Main changes were replacement of radar to new FIAR R21G/M1 Setter with improved range, new avionics and ability to carry the newest versions of missiles. Because of miniaturisation it was possible to install again cannon Vulcan, which F-104S didn't have. Italian Air Force started use first F-104S ASA in 1986.
From 1998 F-104S ASA were again modified to improved version ASA-M (Modificato). Radio- and navigation equipment were upgraded. Place for cannon was again filled - version ASA-M hasn't cannon. First F-104S ASA-M were delivered to Italian Air Force 23° Gruppo (squadron), 5° Stormo (wing) in December 1997.
Aircraft in museum's display was used by 23° Gruppo, 5° Stormo. It is marked ASA-M, but cockpit equipment correspond to F-104S ASA version.
Specifications
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| wingspan: | 6,68 m |
| length: | 16,69 m |
| height: | 4,11 m |
| wing area: | 18,22 m2 |
| weight: | |
| - empty aircraft | 6 760 kg |
| - normal take-off | 9 840 kg |
| - maximal take-off | 14 060 kg |
| maximum external load: | 3 400 kg |
| maximal volume of fuel:: | 3 392 l + 2 770 l in external tanks |
| engine: | General Electric (FIAT) J79-GE-19 |
| maximal thrust: | |
| - without afterburning | 52,0 kN |
| - with afterburning | 79,62 kN |
| maximal speed: | |
| - at sea level | M=1,2 |
| - in high altitude | 2400 km/h M=2,2 |
| climbing: | 280 m/s at sea level |
| range: | 2620 km |
| ceiling: | 17 680 m |
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Patch of 5° stormo (5. regiment) |
© Kamil Pankuch 2004-2007
airmuseum.kosice at gmail.com
