Maybe they should send this over to do a job on Hollywood
The F104 Starfighter
On 7 May 1958 U.S. Air Force Major Howard C. Johnson, flying YF-104A 55-2957, broke the world altitude record by flying to 91,243 feet (27,811 m) at Edwards AFB.
On 16 May 1958, U.S. Air Force Capt Walter W. Irwin flying YF-104A 55-2969 set a world speed record of 1,404.19 mph over a 15/25 kilometer course at Edwards AFB.
Essentially the F104.Starfighter could climb in a minute to an altitude that modern commercial airline level off at and serve the coffee . The 104 was comparably unstable and deadly. 50 years on, here I am, where it began at Edwards.
Hours up and down the flightline taking snaps in the desert heat, this momentary refuge inside the main hanger was a relief. It might take another 8 hours to process snaps so I’ll just do a multiply insert later.
By the way this base is so ‘classified‘ that following such ‘hospitable’ open days, very large guard dogs are used to coax ‘Joe and Josephine Public’ to return to civvy street by way of a long desert traffic jam.
Note. Impressive data from Wiki on all aircraft if interested. Here’s the 104’s CV.
Maurice O'Sullivan Aherne aka MOSAherne 