AIRCRAFT

F-104 World Records

World Speed Record

Record Holder(s):
Capt. W.W. Irwin (USAF) - 1404mph (2259km/h)
- May 17th, 1958

World Absolute Low Altitude Speed Record

Record Holder(s):
Darryl Greenamyer - 988.26mph (1,606km/h)
- October 24th, 1977
World Altitude Record

Record Holder(s):
Maj. H.C. Johnson (USAF) - 91,249ft (27,813m)
- May 7th, 1958

Capt. Joe B. Jordan (USAF) - 103,395ft (31,515m)
- December 14th, 1959

Maj. Robert W. Smith (USAF) - 120,800ft (36,820m)
- December 6th, 1963 (Achieved in a NF-104A)
World Time - to - Climb Record

Record Holder(s):
Lt. William T. Smith (USAF) / Capt. Joe B. Jordan (USAF)
- December 18th, 1958 / December 14th, 1959

Record Details:
9,842ft
19684ft
29,527ft
39,370ft
49,212ft
65,616ft
82,020ft
98,425ft
Time - to - Intercept Record:

Target: 35,000ft (10,668m), 172 miles (227km) from take off point.

Record Holder(s):
Capt. M. Schaff (USAF) / Capt. B. Jones (USAF)
Time: 8 mins 59.9 secs.
Speed: 1150mph (1850km/h)
 - December 10th, 1958

USAF File Photo

USAF File Photo

(3,000m)     00 min 41.85 sec
(6,000m)     00 min 58.41 sec
(9,000m)     01 min 21.14 sec
(12,000m)   01 min 39.90 sec
(15,000m)   02 min 11.10 sec
(20,000m)   03 min 42.99 sec
(25,000m)   04 min 26.03 sec
(30,000m)   15 min 04.92 sec

The F-104 still to this day is an aerodynamic marvel, within months of becoming operational with the U.S. Air Force it broke numerous world records. The World Absolute Low Altitude Speed Record set by Darryl Greenamyer still stands to this day, some 30 years later!

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