Meet Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
The Starfighter began development in 1952, and the XF-104 first flew in 1954. The U.S. Air Force museum describes its air-superiority origin and its use as tactical fighter and interceptor. Speed, altitude and time-to-climb records became part of the programme’s early public story, while international production carried the design into many different national configurations.
History & design
Speed records and international production
Development of the Starfighter began in 1952, with the XF-104 flying in 1954. Its early reputation was built on performance: an F-104A set a world speed record in 1958, and an F-104C set an altitude record in 1959. The US Air Force Museum distinguishes the aircraft's tactical-fighter and interceptor employment.
The USAF acquired about 300 aircraft in one- and two-seat forms. More than 1,700 additional Starfighters were built in the United States and abroad for partner nations. This wide production history produced different equipment and mission fits. The museum's C-model data is a historical reference; the simulator catalogue separately identifies G, reconnaissance, two-seat and later developer variants.
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil · Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — aircraft background and systems ↗Systems & details
Variant-specific simulator systems
COLIMATA documents boundary-layer control, its PRO mode and shaker/kicker behaviour alongside its G/S/21C choices. Sim Skunk Works’ FRF-104G and TF-104G have separate products and cockpit scope.
In your simulator
No released simulator product is listed for this aircraft in the developers reviewed. Announced products are excluded.
Manuals & resources
Read the original documentation from the people who created it. Manuals open on their publisher’s website.
Aircraft background
F-104 Starfighter FXP-Colimata-F104COLIMATA · COLIMATA F104FXP product; SSW sources separately listed. Just Flight - Sim Skunk Works Lockheed Martin FRF-104G 'Starfighter'Sim Skunk Works via Just Flight · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. Just Flight - Sim Skunk Works Lockheed Martin TF-104GSim Skunk Works · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — product pageBear Studios · Aircraft equipment and developer product details. Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — aircraft background and systemswww.nationalmuseum.af.mil · USAF museum F-104C collection, family history.Built-in force-feedback profiles
Read the documentary basis, editable starting settings and remaining questions for the aircraft you fly. Each explanation refers to the exact profile revision shown.
Catalogue programme-20261011-v3 · 3 profile choices
COLIMATA F-104 Starfighter FXP (G / S / 21C)
COLIMATA · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
X-Plane 12
The Starfighter began development in 1952, and the XF-104 first flew in 1954.
Sim Skunk Works FRF-104G Starfighter
Sim Skunk Works · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
The Starfighter began development in 1952, and the XF-104 first flew in 1954.
Sim Skunk Works Lockheed TF-104G
Sim Skunk Works · Free and Pro · Revision 2 · Inherited starting point
MSFS 2020
The Starfighter began development in 1952, and the XF-104 first flew in 1954.
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