THE ORDER OF STARFIGHTERS

(Thanks to Pete Clukey for the information)

The Order of Starfighters was a log of all F-104 pilots kept by Lockheed in Burbank, California. 
Initially the honor of being included on the list of "The Order of Starfighters" was reserved for the first four hundred military pilots to check out in the F-104A.
When a new pilot was checked out in the F-104, his info was sent in to Lockheed and he was issued the next Machbuster number in the series.  Machbuster number 1 was Lt Col Charles Yeager in 1954.  The last number issued was 7072 given to Mike “Smitty” Smith of the Starfighters Airshow Team in 2007.
Initially for the first 400 pilots it lateron emerged and it covered lots of pilots of other Air Forces as well. 

When Burbank closed down, the materials transferred to Lockheed in Marietta, Georgia.  Pete and his group/team still has the original leather bound log books along with some blank certificates pre-signed by the Senior Starfighter Pilot, Lockheed test pilot Tony Levier and some of the wallet cards.  Retired Lockheed Tech Rep Ben MacAvoy contacted Pete many years ago to see if Lockheed still had the logs and Pete was able to find them in a beat up file cabinet that was almost thrown away!  So, if any new pilots get checked out in the F-104, Pete and his team can officially issue them a certificate.

In addition to the Order of Starfighters, Edwards Air Force Base also issued Mach Deuce cards, given when a pilot achieved Mach 2.0 in the Zipper.  Mach Deuce is considered a rating in the Royal Order of Starfighters.  They were signed by a Lockheed Field Service Representative.  There is also a lapel pin issued with the card that is an F-104 with the number 2 on the aircraft.

In total there are six volumes to the official Lockheed logs.  
In volume 4, there is a sheet taped in the back which states:

Checkout Kit Contents - "Order Of Starfighters"
1. Certificate
2. "Order of Starfighters" wallet card
3. Mach II Card
4. Decal
5. Litho
6. Model
7. Lapel Pin

Later, it appears Lockheed scaled back the Order of Starfighters program.  
On the first sheet of volume 6, there is a handwritten note that states:

1. Certificate
2. Litho
3. Cards
4. Pin

Here some examples of an official The Order Of Starfighters certificate:

_

Here some examples of an official The Order Of Starfighters certificate cards:

_

Here some examples of an official The Order Of Starfighters Mach-Deuce cards.
Left the most seen cards, and right a specific one for the CF-104s issued in Canada.

__

Here examples of official Mach-Deuce lapel pins.
The left one from Henk de Waard and right the two pins which were given to Ralph Harrison.
Lockheed released black pins but Canadair handed over silver pins.

_

Some pilots received a golden plate for accomplishing 2000 flying hours on the F-104 Starfighter.
Beneath an example. Canadian pilot Ed Rozdeba received such a plate (Photo: Dave Rozdeba)

Lockheed also handed out certificates to the squadrons of various Air Forces.
These were to be presented to people who flew in the F-104 Starfighter (as passenger).
These were mentioned "Royal order of star-riders". Steve Pajot was given such a certificate
when he flew with 417 Tactical Fighter/Operational Training Squadron. See beneath:

Then for the complete list of all (known) pilots with a order of starfighters number, click beneath:

For information, corrections, additions etc.. please contact : IFS info

This page, and all contents, are Copyright © protected by U.S. and International law for the F-104 Society Inc. The Netherlands.