183-1009 (YF-104A/QF-104A)

USAF 55-2963/FG-963/QFG-963

d/d 18sep56, Lockheed (sep56-jan57), ARDC (jan57-jun58), 83rd FIS (1958-dec58), 3205th DS (sep61-feb62), w/o 01feb62

Note:
This Starfighter, accepted by the USAF on 29 June 1956, was delivered on 19 September 1956 and initially selected for environment testing by the AFFTC/Lockheed. For this purpose the aircraft has been tested for a certain period during extreme low temperature conditions at Elmendorf AFB. This intensive testprogram was named “Phase V. It looksthat this took place under control of Lockheed Corporation until January 1957.
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Accident Reports:

1 February 1962  (QF-104A)
It was shot down as drone on its first "unmanned" flight. It was hit and sequentially shot down by a BOMARC ground-to-air missile. It was totally destroyed.
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55-2963
In 1956 the YF-104A 55-2963 was transferred to Elmendorf AFB for testing the aircraft in very cold circumstances. The test program was coordinated under control of the AFFTC and Lockheed. Here the aircraft is seen taxying on taxy roads filled with snow. The aircraft is still lacking the later added ventral fin and arrester-hook installation.
55-2963
This photo is sadly damaged through the time but is very unique. It shows the QF-104A 55-2963 on its first unmanned mission and during this mission this aircraft was shot down. It was taken by Chuck Dildine while flying air-air. (Photo Chuck Dildine)

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