The F-104D (Lockheed Model 383-04-06) was the two-seat combat trainer version of the F-104C. It bore the same relationship to the F-104C as the F-104B did to the F-104A.
The D model was quite similar to the F-104B, but with the refinements of the F-104C. Like the F-104B, it had the large-area vertical fin with the extensive overhang behind the tailpipe. In order to make room for the second crewman, the nosewheel once again had to be made to retract rearwards, and the 20-mm rotary cannon of the F-104C had to be removed, limiting the air-to-air armament to a pair of wingtip-mounted AIM-9B Sidewinders (although provisions were later made for the mounting of another pair of Sidewinders underneath the fuselage). The provision for two underwing and two wingtip drop tanks was retained, boosting total fuel capacity by 730 US gallons. The AN/ASG-14T-2 fire control system of the F-104C was retained. The provision for the removable port-mounted in-flight refuelling probe of the F-104C was also retained.
Very soon after delivery of the F-104Ds, the Lockheed C-1 downward-firing ejection seats were replaced with C-2 upward-firing ejection seats. Since the ejection was originally downward, the cockpit canopy of the F-104D had not been designed to be blown off the plane during the ejection sequence. The canopy had to be extensively redesigned so that this could be done. Among the changes was the addition of a stationary, fixed transparent central section separating the two individual jettisonable canopies to ensure clean canopy separation during ejection. In every case of the old-style canopy, you will see the early downward-firing ejection seat without upward guide rails. In every case of the new canopy, you will see the structure for the upward ejection seat rails. Also, the middle section of the new style canopy had a clear separator that formed a windshield for the aft cockpit if the forward canopy section was lost in flight or damaged by a bird strike. This canopy modification was later retrofitted to F-104Bs as well, so the mere presence of a fixed, transparent canopy center section is not by itself an indication of an F-104D as opposed to an F-104B.
Provisions were made for the possibility of removing the rear seat of the F-104D, fitting the 20-mm rotary cannon, and flying the aircraft as a single-seater if the need should ever arise. However, I don’t know if this was ever done in practice.
The performance of the F-104D was almost identical to that of the F-104C, but the reduced internal fuel capacity reduced its effective range considerably.
The F-104D was the last version of the Starfighter to built for the USAF. 21 F-104Ds were delivered between November 1958 and August 1959. They all went to the four squadrons of the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing that had already been equipped with F-104Cs. A further 83 F-104Ds ordered under FY 1957 funding were later cancelled when the USAF terminated all its Starfighter procurement plans.
Along with the F-104C, ADC F-104Ds were transferred to the Puerto Rico Air National Guard in 1967. The ANG operated these F-104C and D Starfighters until July 1975, when they were replaced by LTV A-7Ds. Most of the F-104Ds joined their single-seat F-104C cousins in the boneyards at Davis Monthan AFB, although six were transferred to Taiwan. At least 8 are now on display in various museums.
Serials of F-104D:
57-1314/1320 Lockheed F-104D-5-LO Starfighter c/n 483-5026/5032 57-1321/1328 Lockheed F-104D-10-LO Starfighter c/n 483-5033/5040 57-1329/1334 Lockheed F-104D-15-LO Starfighter c/n 483-5041/5046 57-1335/1417 Cancelled contract (believed for F-104D)
Sources:
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The World’s Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery Books, 1989.
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Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Steve Pace, Motorbooks International,
1992.
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Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
Press, 1987.
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The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.
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The World’s Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday 1968.
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American Combat Planes, Ray Wagner, Third Enlarged Edition, Doubleday,
1982.
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Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, John Fricker, Wings of Fame,
Volume 2, Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1996.
- E-mail from Michael Vorrasi on revision of F-104D cockpit canopy.
