Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter
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The Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter was a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor prototype for a United States Air Force series of lightweight and simple fighters. Only two aircraft were
First prototype XF-104 53-7786
An original Johnson sketch
Wooden mock-up
Tony LeVier poses on an XF-104. Note the wingtip tanks
Wright J65
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The Wright J65 was an axial-flow turbojet engine produced by Curtiss-Wright under license from Armstrong Siddeley. A development of the Sapphire, the J65 powered a number of US designs.
Lockheed XF-104 Starfighter
…the end of April, and work started on two prototypes late in May. The J79 engine was not yet ready, so both prototypes were instead designed to use the Wright J65, a licensed built version of the Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire. Construction of the first prototype XF-104 (US serial number 53-7786, Buzz number FG-786…
A sectioned Wright J65
XB-47D fitted with two YT49 turboprops and four-blade paddle propeller