F-104 STARFIGHTER Flies Again Over Italy, Awesome J79 Howl!

Footage of F-104 Starfighter ground test run and flying. TF-104GM Starfighter returns to Italy at Italian Air Force Centenary Airshow, Manifestazione Aerea del Centennario dell'Aeronautica Militare at Pratica di Mare 2023.
Aircraft was plagued with technical problems throughout the weekend, so there was only one flight at the airshow.
Aircraft belongs to www.starfighters.net/
Piloted by ‪@PiercarloCiacchi‬

[@PaddyPatrone]

Aircraft was plagued with technical problems throughout the weekend, so there was only one flight at the airshow.

[@getoutofthetimetrap5435]

The star fighter was built to intercept high altitude bombers during the Cold War its rate of climb from take off was unmatched, basically like launching a rocket as well as its rate of speed , not very maneuverable but wasn’t designed for dogfights.

[@ericq9049]

I always find it hard to explain to people why this is such an incredible aircraft to witness in person. Its shape, the sounds, the speed, the fact that you can actually feel it pulling air from around you if it's close enough....

[@Helicopterpilot16]

No words can describe how much I love this jet!

[@spankymcduff9683]

My father had over 1000hrs flying CF104 and the CF104d. I inherited his flight log book. He also bailed out of one in 1964...( bird strike )

[@watarutakenouchi9512]

Even in Japan, the F104 was a beloved and iconic fighter jet for many people. The nickname for the F104 in Japan was “Eiko”. It translates to “Glory” in English.

[@mjw1955]

That 4-plane flyby is one of the best combination of the old and the new that I have ever seen.

[@eoinj3929]

The wings were so small it used 'bleed' air from the turbine to blow out via tiny holes in the wing to maintain laminar flow and ensure aileron effectiveness at low airspeed. Amazing stuff!

[@jerryaubert6201]

at idle if you listen w/o the visual it sounds like a vacuum cleaner w/ a sock stuck in it. not sayin, just sayin. I love this plane.

[@claytonbrannon3060]

I spent time around the F-104 when stationed on two different CRAF bases in Germany and one German AFB. It was an interceptor and probably the best at what it was designed for. In my case, the aircraft was being used to deliver nuclear bombs to the enemy.

[@dongorney2533]

I grew up in Palmdale California, where the F-104s were flight tested. My neighbor was Lockheed test-pilot Glenn Reaves, and got to watch one of his training flights with the German pilots from the Lockheed control tower. It was such a beautiful plan, and the J79 howl made it unique. Good times.

[@trintella53]

As their flight surgeon in the 60ies I was fortunate to get a ride to 50k and a speed of Mach 2. Once on the ground I was treated to a throw in the near by creek!! What a fraternity to join!!

[@Music-pq8cm]

… and entered service just 13 years after WWII ? Pretty amazing how quickly technology developed in such a short period of time.

[@kevinkooks1497]

What a sound! What an incredible aircraft!

[@louischadaris5909]

The F 104 is one of the most beautiful planes ever

[@markever234]

Dang.. even the F-86 burns cleaner than the F-104.

[@roberthampton8682]

As a youth, growing up in 50's-60's, I was fascinated with any and all air craft and the F-104 was one of my favorites. I never thought I would actually see one in the air, but when I was stationed in Germany with the US Air Force back in 1976-1979, one of our alerts was started when a German F-104 came across our air field at the same lever as the water tower. THAT was an awesome sight! I'll never for get it.

[@raysantiago3750]

F-104 Star Fighter still is a beautiful aircraft.

[@MiniBuster2]

I remember the Starfighter often used to fly past my home, when I was a kid. It was like looking at airplane from the future. I think the Starfighter is the reason I love airplanes, and still have to look up EVERY time I hear an airplane. :)

[@rickfoss5003]

I worked on the F-105 stationed at Nellis. We often had 104s come in. I always stopped what I was doing to watch and listen. It's great that one is flying again. I wish we could say the same for a F-105. Maybe one day.