The F-104G was designed specifically by Lockheed for the multi-role, not "tampered with by" the Luftwaffe. While the Germans issued a multi-role specification, it was Lockheed who designed the G-model to fit, the Germans at one time were interested in the British still-born Saunders Roe P.177 combined rocket/gas turbine powered aircraft and the Blackburn Buccaneer, but Lockheed pipped them to the post and put the F-104 into the mix.
The aircraft below certainly doesn't help the type's reputation, but again, zero-length launches, although designed for the German theatre were not specifically a German idea.
View attachment 662673Gatow 124
Read the following for a bit of background behind Lockheed's "Deal of the Century" surrounding F-104 sales.
en.wikipedia.org
Hi nuuumann,
In December 1957 Lt.Col. Albert Werner und Major Walter Krupinski tested the USAF version F – 104A/B and decided it to be the prime candidate for the Luftwaffe. After having evaluated and tested almost a Dozen US and European candidates. That corruption was involved is undeniable (especially Belgium) but according to the vast majority of Luftwaffe
pilots, the top military brass and Germany's government it was the best and most suitable candidate. That the aircraft came about 4-5 years to early for the rather inexperienced Luftwaffe is also undeniable. But the threat existing from the East, unfortunately did not permit the feasible reasons of a stage by stage enhancement.
On 6
th November 1958 the German parliament gave the green light. But at that time the specifications demanded/forwarded by the Luftwaffe did not meet the existing F-104A/B
the then dubbed Super-Starfighter F-104G was only existing on paper.
Therefore during the Starfighter crisis the political opposition reverted to saying – you bought the cat in the sack.
The first 50-70 F-104G's were produced by Lookheed and the remaining 850 in Germany under a License program. Internal Luftwaffe reports stated clearly that there was nothing wrong with the aircraft's configuration and technical layout – but that foremost German/Luftwaffe developed and deployed avionics and flight-thrust control suits installed systems caused the crash rates – not being suitable and adequate for a 4500-5000lbs weapon load carrying F-104G
So clearly a screw up on the German side. The vast majority of crashes were due to engine stalls and jet turbine fires.
Generally Luftwaffe pilots said; a great but sensible aircraft – and unforgiving towards flight handling errors, and also in a kind of defying humor referred to the F-104G as the
"Der schoene Tod", (beautiful death) the press/Media brought up the slogans "death coffin" and "widow-maker"
Regarding SATS and Zell, - those projects were actually very helpful and justified.
SATS was a co-project that was run by the USMC and Luftwaffe in regards to catapult sledge aided starts (using a J-79 jet engine) and arrester-hook landings – from 1962-65 in the final evaluation the F-104G was used, and all prior tests were conducted at Naval Air Test Facility in Lakehurst.
Initially it was of interest to the Marine Luftwaffe wings who had send a Sea Hawk aircraft in 1961 for trials. The SATS system where then implemented at the Luftwaffe airfields Jever and my father's unit JaboG 32 Lechfeld in 1964. The project was ended and the SATS systems were removed in 1966.
Zell (Zero Length Launch) incl. ATC – (Automatic Throttle Control). The first was in view of enhancing QRA issues and was a co-project conducted by the USAF and Luftwaffe, respectively by Lockheed and Messerschmitt/Erp.St.61 at Manching.
Initial testing began 1963 at Edwards AFB, and then from 1966 onward also by JaboG 32 at Lechfeld. BTW every test start at that time cost around $40,000 – big money at the time.
In Germany 7 test starts were conducted by Ed Brown USAF (5) and Horst Philipp Luftwaffe (2). However due to NATO's change in strategy towards Flexible Response – the project
was ended even though 14 aircraft's had been technically outfitted for a mass demonstration. The same reasons for ending the project also applied towards SATS.
Regards
Jagdflieger
