the last F104

[@phillipleblanc7823]

I grew up on the RCAF base in Lahr and heard this sound every day. I still love it. The most beautiful fighter jet ever built.

[@borderreiver1806]

My favourite stopping spot, good grub, good billets.. better thzn ours was with BOAR.. in Berlin

[@phillipleblanc7823]

@@borderreiver1806 Wow! We lived there from 1967-72.

[@alexandermakrianis]

One of the most dangerous too, unfortunately.

[@phillipleblanc7823]

@@alexandermakrianis The Widowmaker!

[@Simon-ry1lw]

I visited Lahr in the '60s and my uncle would take us down to the base to watch them.

[@jdhiner1]

Just gives great respect to the genius of Kelly Johnson that a design from the 50s computed using slide rules would still be in military service post 2000.

[@Agwings1960]

Growing up on the TV shows of the 60's. The sound of the F-104 was probably the most often used sound effect for any fighter jets used in movies.

[@michaelbrusenhan1996]

Magnificent aircraft. Wish there were more of them. Just beautiful!!

[@sls3945]

There are two sounds in aviation which brings me nearly to tears: the whistle of a Rolls-Merlin powered P-51 and the J-79 howl of the F-104.

[@codachrome123]

I have never seen anything like this before in my life. I am too young to remeber the F-104 in service. So great to see her fly like this. Thanks for the video!!!

[@GJones462-2W1]

Hats off to the Italian Air Force for keeping such an amazing jet aloft for so long! The memories are still fresh in our minds......

[@mediamauro]

My father was one of those who kept them flying.

[@guaporeturns9472]

@@mediamaurocongratulations

[@leonidas209]

When I was a child, the F-104G flew a lot deep in the area! When I grew up, I got the chance to do an apprenticeship as mechanic! We had the last at our Base till 1987!

[@totallygothboy]

the sound those planes produce when they fly together is absolutely amazing.

[@goodyears73]

Hi. The last version (F 104 S) has been built under licence in Italy, no problems for spare parts. Italian air force also developed dual attack schemes (2 F104 vs 1 aggressor) to compensate lack of manoeuvrability against modern opponents. Pilots called it "big pin", common people "flying coffin". Italian F104 also operated in '91 during iraqi war from Turkey and retired only in 2004 due to delay of Typhoon. Greeting to free and proud Taiwan ! (I worked for Evergreen Corporation for a while )

[@cmscms123456]

When I was Stationed in W Germany, USAF, the Germans were still flying these, and popping the sound barrier every chance they got.

[@CT0007]

It always takes a while until we get replacements for old models, we replaced the F-4 Phantom only 6 years ago with EF-2000s.

[@yigit0632x]

@@CT0007 7 years ago he is probably dead

[@ybrik5937]

what a show and formation! these vintage jets still rock!

[@BeztMuzic]

The wolf-like howling while as a group in the air is awesome. Of all jet fighters, the scream of F-104s runs supreme. If there were an anthem of airplane engine sound, THIS would be it! Hope some country will maintain a squadron of this streamlined fighting beauty always in flyable conditions to perform air shows around the world. Long live Starfighters!

[@ThePantruca]

I love the F104 it really was a rocket with wings i saw it perform at an air show in Edmonton Canada and the vertical climb was incredible just like a rocket,

[@jsyd77]

This is one of my favourite, all time Jet videos.

[@alpearson9158]

that sound used to wake me up every morning in the 60's in Cold Lake Alberta......memories !

[@dtzannabianca258]

L'aereo piú bello. Linea entusiasmante. Un gioiello dell'aerodinamica. Da sempre sono innamorato dello Starfighter, dai banchi di scuola su fino al diploma di perito aeronautico. Altri caccia erano migliori come prestazioni o maneggevolezza, ma la linea puramente filante dell' F104 era e rimarrá insuperabile. Una meraviglia. Grazie per il video.

[@Bbendfender]

What a beautiful aircraft.

[@JohnS916]

Wow, an F-104 in Ducati colors and the motorcycle superbike 999 on the side. Fancy that, I have the 999R. I've always loved the F-104, what a beast!

[@joefollansbee5293]

.

[@javacup912]

The F-104 is probably the best looking fighter jet ever produced. That J79 engine and its famous howl, I remember hearing the howl for miles after the planes flew over our house when I was a kid. Had a chance to ride in a two-seater C model later in life, and blew it. Regretted it. Now all I can do is watch wonderful videos like these. Great job!

[@FanHsiao]

The sound !! Most sexy sound of fighter jet !!

[@DigbyOdel-et3xx]

Absolutely the most sexy jet fighter ever. Saw RCAF ones at airshows often as a kid. My favorite fighter jet🥰🥰🥰

[@flymax4066]

that sound....the only plane which has this eargasmic sound...thats why I love the Starfighter!

[@USC-pl8vo]

Kelly Johnson definitely knew how to design very special aircraft. The F-104 will remain an icon right along with the U-2, the SR-71 which he also designed. I remember seeing my first F-104 when it was landed at Chanute AFB, Illinois in 1957. It was attached to the underside of the left wing of a B-36 bomber. Both aircraft were being brought to the base to become "training aids" and then to be placed on mounted display with other planes around the base. Also remember the first actual flying of one I saw. Pilots such as my Dad, who were WWII and Korean War era pilots all wanted to fly it. Sadly they could not, because the AF believed them to be too old for this type of ultra modern airplane. Sadly, way too many pilots from various countries who flew them lost their lives. One of the biggest issues was "those who knew better than anyone else" trying to make the aircraft into something it was NOT designed to be. That is a fighter, or a fighter-bomber. It was designed specifically to be an interceptor and take out Soviet bombers BEFORE they could get to your location. It was also, until modified to have one, not originally designed with a gun. Later version did finally get a 20MM Vulcan "Gatling" gun. The "I know better crowd" believed TWO missiles could do the job. These are most likely the same "I know better crowd that had the original F-4 Phantoms designed to only carry missiles because "there would be no more dog fights in modern air wars". Yeah-Right. So naturally, Vietnam arrived and proved them wrong as usual. F-4s got a gun, just as the F-104 did.

[@X031]

I lived on airforce bases all my life as my dad worked avionics and I have to say this is my all time favorite plane.Love the sound it makes!! We called it the CF-104 Widow Maker

[@DavidGarvinTechnophile]

To say that they weren't fast and beautiful would be the understatement of the century. The distinctive whine of its engine brings back memories of when I was a kid living in Germany. Awesome!

[@noversibirsk]

haha yea me too, loved flying the F-104's on floats up to Lake Luise in Alberta Canada good moose hunting up there ;-) got a bear once and had to stuff one of my external tanks with its body, man that threw the Center of gravity off, and this thing dont have rudder trim,

[@渡部稔-u7f]

この動画ですが削除しないで下さいお願いいたします格好いいので音も好きです40年前からのファンです

[@TheRoguelement]

I don't have the words to describe what seeing & hearing the F-104 in operation .But I just love everything about that old bird ...

[@58rick1]

ho avuto la fortuna di essere presente a questo ultimo show dell'F104 non potrò mai dimenticarlo fantastico che emozione ,un aereo speciale unico...!!!!

[@Seahagmike]

Wow, this is great!!!, I need more!!! I love that sound!!!

[@Robin6512]

The icon of my youth. The sound of freedom =)) Beautiful aircraft

[@mediamauro]

Mine too!

[@billwolfe9072]

I was also stationed in W. Germany, late 60’s, at a small outpost assigned to Sembach AB near K’town. It seemed like every day 2, 3, or 4 F104’s would fly over in formation. It would raise the hair on your neck. Ocassionally F4’s would fly over. I don’t think they knew we were there. Presumably they were from Ramstein AB on the other side of K’town. I still love watching these videos.

[@GENERATOR-924]

WoooooooooooWWWW!!!...............Tearssssssssssssss!!!!!!...From Greece with LOVE!!!!!!!

[@billgund4532]

Just noticed the only time you hear the F-104/J79 shrieking howl is with the TF (dual cockpit ) version. Grew up in the 60's at a Luke AFB. What a sight to see a flight of 4 F104's enter the pattern.

[@scottwins2]

These and a B-58 Hustler wrere my favorite planes when I was a kid.

[@thetigerstripes]

All engine + very small aircraft = speed. The engine sound is awesome. Sounds verrrrry badass. It looks like a sword.

[@Camman010]

You can watch them at airshows but I have seen them doing live fire only about 100 feet above my head and mach 1 plus. You see the plane and see the puffs of smoke from the cannons then seconds later you hear the engine and hear the cannons fire. To hear them go vertical and kick on the afterburners is a sound that will put you on the ground and make you scream. I loved that trip to Primrose Lake Air Weapons Range.

[@BigGiantCheetah]

i love the whistling sound of em ;) Pakistan Air Force had em back in the 60s and 70s and they served us well in the 65 and 71 wars with India. It was a cause of panic among IAF pilots back then. Its one of my favourite aircraft ;)

[@douglasrodrigues332]

Being an old J-79 mechanic, it used to amaze me that the plane had enough fuel to fly for long.

[@Riverguide2010]

Beautiful planes ahead of it's time ,and great design !!!

[@killerbeez95]

Kelly Johnson what a designer. Everything he made was 50 years ahead of its time and absolutely mental.

[@MrVictoria69]

Thanks for posting. Could be the best footage ever from an air show. So impressive

[@Mr.Monta77]

That wolf-howl. Still raises the hairs on my back, like nothing else.

[@87qwm]

There are old pilots and bold pilots, but no old, bold pilots! my grand father was a F-104 pilot,and he was extremely proud of being one of these old pilots! and so does I =)

[@forendo720]

I love how the TF-104's sound with that wolf howl!

[@RFKFANTS67]

Glad to know I'm not the only guy who tears up over aircraft. Seriously The starfighter with it's howl! The fuel injection of the me-109, the p-51, the scream of a ju-87 stuka! a b-17 all unique as a women are, all have their own sweet charm just gotta know how to appreciate it.

[@syorukel]

I had seen a large formation of 19 F-104s flying from Bandirma to Italy for a base visit in the 90'ies. It was an amazing sight.

[@allgood6760]

Cool plane!... sleek and chic 👍✈️

[@EdMartin-m7b]

Was at Ramstien air show in the early 80’s when 8 F104’s came in low and fast from behind the hills. 500,000 spectators dropped to their knees

[@QAnswer]

There are still some F-104s flying, i just saw them in Joint Service Open House Airshow 2008 in US. Gotta love there engine sound!

[@dod4luce]

awesome sound. great video, someone who at last doesnt ruin it with music!!!

[@toose70]

Awesome video. What a jet! Wow those landings look hot.

[@QAnswer]

I just saw them fly in the Joint Service Open House airshow 2008 in the U.S, gotta love their distinguishing engine sound!

[@lpuig73]

Beautiful diamond formation.. Loved it.

[@Nana-rk2xn]

Was für ein Augen und Ohrenschmaus .Ich liebe den Starfigther F-104 🤙

[@ykarpov]

Ahhhhh that whistling SCREAM of those huge engines going overhead.

[@wedgenstein]

I remamber seeing the CF 104 at almost every airshow when I was a kid...The engine noise would seem to disrupt every cell of your being! There was ALWAYS one pilot who would break out of formation only to sneak up on the spectators from behind at full throttle, I actually dove for cover once lol and if the whole formation snuck up, the noise was otherworldly!

[@Just-an-ordinary-average-guy]

awsome video. gotta love that sound of the starfighter!

[@raynus1]

Yes...especially with no bleed air for the blown-flap system. This thing entered the pattern at 325kts, flew the downwind leg with flaps at TO position & 260 kts. Full-flap final at 190, bleeding down to 170-180 over the fence w/ ~88% engine rpm...I can't imagine.

[@chrisdavis3642]

That would be very intimidating!!

[@マルヨン-x2e]

マルヨンSound最高です‼️❤

[@tonpao104]

Anche se ero li presente a Pratica, è stato molto emozionante rivedere questi momente , ho provato sempre una grande emozione , anche x me il " 104" è sempre stato e x sempre sarà l' aereo più bello del mondo. grazie amico x questo video.

[@hansmayer4878]

I was lucky to by able to see these great planes flying from my hometown Air base ( Memmingen) although to many crashed due to wrong application.

[@CL21579]

In Athens Greece, yesterday, a reunion of ex-F104 pilotes took place. It was pretty emotional. I'm glad to be rased in such an envirronment.A great aeroplane.

[@frankpik8384]

Salve. Nel 1969 ero in forza presso il 9 stormo di Grazzanise come centralinista. Grande lo Spillone.

[@58rick1]

i was in Pratica di mare airport fantastic exibition fantastic day unforgetable,very hard for pilots F 104, anyway we had fantastic pilots....!

[@Georgeconna]

fab weekend that was! last f104 I saw fly was on my honeymoon in 04 on the way to Naples, a 4 ship to!😁

[@justforever96]

They ARE scary to land! LOL, I love the way they do the "moose call"! If you don't know what I'm talking about, listen to the howl it makes at 1:43. You can't miss it! I guess they do that by retracting the shock-cones while at full power (but you have to be sitting still, not flying or rolling!). I guess technically it used to be against the rules for some reason, but pilots did it anyway, just to hear it. I never thought about the intakes on a jet making noise; the F-104 seems to make a lot!

[@Nana-rk2xn]

I love him. Memories of the JaboG 32 on the Lechfeld. 💕

[@tinolino58]

@JonkyOnTheSpot The germans lost about half of their planes in accidents. But those planes where heavy modified versions. There was kind of air taken from the compressor to feed the wingroot to keep the wing flying at lower speeds for the apporach. But that system broke frequently with the altered version of the german Starfighters... my father told me some 35 years ago.. :-) Does anybody out there knows more details about that?

[@JackFlemingFan1]

Excellent video! No wonder the F104 was nicknamed "Missile With A Man In It!"

[@MsRajfriend]

Love the sound it makes...my uncle died flying one in a setting where the machine was more valuable than the man. To eject was out of the quesiton.

[@mortdk]

Howling like wolves as they pass by. A special feature of the F-104. Wow ...

[@Nana-rk2xn]

The most beautiful fighter jet in the world. An aerodynamic jewel. Exciting line. The most exciting sound in technology. A difficult jet to fly due to its instability. The pilots who flew it were really very good 🤙

[@FlyingRob1]

Great show! I own an original landing flap actuator of the 104, rebuilt for a cognac bottle inside. Nice idea for the chief´s desk. I want to sell it. Interested?

[@pramboy09]

@RFKFANTS67 glad i'm not the only that "tears up" can i add some of the aircraft i have seen that did the same to me? The spitfire, P-40, polikarpov, A-4 skyhawk, F-18, and vought cosair,

[@cmscms123456]

It was hard getting used to seeing a black iron cross on the tail and wings of the German F-104's

[@inekemateman273]

+cmscms123456 Come on !!!

[@EagleTwo758]

It was hard for those German F-104 pilots to get used to our USAF F -15 Eagle's being on their 6! Lol! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@fje1948]

In a word beautiful and skilled…

[@AnImmortal88]

I Was there .. to the farewell to the Starfighter .. Pratica di Mare Airport ..LIRE ç.ç That cool sound of the starfighter . .!

[@RolloffDeBunk]

What an orchestra!

[@2ndRCHAret]

A group of mechanics and engineers got together. Found an old Startfighter and removed the J79 engine.They put it in a ground vehicle frame and took the land speed record with it.

[@rampking1]

That whine and harmonics are beautiful ! Anyone know if any F-104 got the smoke-less conversion from the Germans ?

[@mrmakemakkara]

very nice videos tov toda

[@DragerPilot]

Beautiful.

[@dreaman1981]

2004 PRATICA DI MARE ITALY......Io c'ero!!! Mitico strabiliante F-104 detto spillone o l'urlo dei contribuenti per il suo j79! Grande F-104!

[@DrBPhD]

@Mirage2000H The typical F104 sound without afterburner (at 2:33) is much more of a wail than a roar. I know no other aircraft making this kind of noise.

[@CYTL1960]

@dirpumon5810 F104 looks pretty but a bit difficult to maneuver. During the years when F104 served in ROC Air Force, a total of 113 F104 crashed with 60 casualties.

[@maxsmodels]

Nice photography. Last time we will ever see that.

[@lennon494]

Amazing sound!!!

[@cola637]

Brings me back to my wonderful years at 334 sqn. Bodø Airstation, Norway, 1977-1980

[@HuasoPodrido]

being in my 50's I had a chance to see the US Air Force still fly the 104 Starfighter . I still see one or two at air shows every now and then but they're civilians

[@unionrdr]

I remember the old shooting star ramjets that flew out of NASA Lewis over our house when I was a kid in Elyria, OH. They made loud, shuddering sonic booms as they broke the sound barrier about the time they passed over. Seems to me these 104's were the ones Craig Breedlove made the 1st Spirit of America out of?

[@xlr99]

Joe Walker flew too close to the XB-70's vortices so i'll say that's more pilot error... Chuck Yeager chose not to use the flight simulator before going for a record. This was a source of some resentment among other pilots and engineers because the NF-104 was a good test pilot trainer.

[@RFKFANTS67]

@KFTXBU Couldn't have said it better! My cousin was an RCAF snowbird for a total of 6 years..before this he flew our cf-105 freedom fighter...{t38 American} I told him the F104 was my favourite jet, and replied.."that's no jet it's a missle" that's why I love it! rate of climb! and that unique howl!

[@EFODERFIX]

un aereo difficile da portare a causa della sua instabilità, I piloti che lo guidavano erano davvero bravi!!

[@dtunzzlistener]

Great video post. Love those Starfighters.

[@terryoflinn6589]

Put big wings on it. Special paint avionics&radars. Long range fuel tanks.. U have a U2..

[@YangKevin]

Great F104, I miss them//

[@215alessio]

only Italians knew how to fly this thing propperly. We used it until the 90's as interceptors. Now luckely replaced by the home made Typhoons

[@bustabloodklaaart]

@georgebushisaknob I used to watch them in and out of Soellingen too we used to holiday in the Black Forest as kids in the mid 70's

[@EagleTwo758]

Just a couple years later you would see my squadron of F-15's chasing them right where you were too