F104C

The F-104C Starfighter was a United States Air Force single-seat fighter-bomber variant of Lockheed's F-104 Starfighter, developed from the F-104A to fulfill the USAF's ground-attack and nuclear strike roles. It was designed to extend the Starfighter’s high-speed performance into a multipurpose mission profile, combining air-to-air capability with the ability to deliver conventional or nuclear ordnance.

Design and features included a reinforced airframe for low-altitude operations, upgraded avionics for navigation and bombing, and provisions for a wider weapons load carried on underwing hardpoints. Like other Starfighters, the F-104C retained a slender fuselage and small, high-speed wings, emphasizing speed, climb, and dash capability to reach and strike quickly.

Operational history: The F-104C entered service in the late 1950s and served with USAF tactical squadrons as a capable, if controversial, fighter-bomber. It could carry a variety of stores on external pylons and was employed in both interception and ground-attack roles depending on mission requirements. The type experienced a mixed service record, with higher accident rates in some deployments contributing to a relatively short frontline career in United States service. Many F-104Cs were retired or reassigned as newer designs entered service, and some airframes were transferred to allied nations.

Legacy: The F-104C is part of the Starfighter lineage, illustrating the transition from a pure intercept-focused design to broader multi-role capability. It is remembered for its speed and performance, as well as the operational challenges associated with its era. See also: Lockheed F-104 Starfighter.