Did Chuck Yeager eject from an F-104?
During the test program, the maximum altitude reached was more than 120,000 ft (36,600 m). One of the aircraft was destroyed in an accident while being flown by Chuck Yeager….Lockheed NF-104A.
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Did Chuck Yeager eject from an F-104?
During the test program, the maximum altitude reached was more than 120,000 ft (36,600 m). One of the aircraft was destroyed in an accident while being flown by Chuck Yeager….Lockheed NF-104A.
| NF-104A | |
|---|---|
| Role | Aerospace trainer |
| Manufacturer | Lockheed Aircraft Corporation |
| Designer | Clarence “Kelly” Johnson |
| First flight | 9 July 1963 |
Are starfighters still flying?
Starfighters operates the world’s only fleet of flight-ready F-104 supersonic aircraft. Based at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and operating under authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration, these aircraft are available to government and commercial customers for a variety of missions.
How many times did Chuck Yeager eject?
After 13 revolutions, Yeager ejected just 5,000 feet above the ground. Falling through the sky, the smoldering ejection seat was briefly snared in his parachute lines and struck him, damaging his helmet and burning his face.
What pilot first broke the sound barrier?
pilot Captain Chuck Yeager
Breaking the sound barrier in flying was a crucial milestone in the history of aviation. October 14, marks the day when US Air Force pilot Captain Chuck Yeager first broke the sound barrier in 1947.
How fast is the F-104 Starfighter?
1,688 mphLockheed F-104 Starfighter / Top speed
Its normal top speed was about Mach 2.1 (i.e., about 1,550 miles per hour [2,500 km/h]) at 35,000 feet (11,000 m). In special efforts the F-104 set a series of world records (later broken) of speeds in excess of 1,400 miles per hour (2,253 km/h) and altitudes well above 100,000 feet (30,000 m).
How much fuel does an F-104 burn?
Fuel consumption on the J-79 Turbine Engine that powers the F104 Starfighter is impressive! It burns 10 gallons per second at full afterburner, which calculates out to 600 gallons of fuel in one minute!
What was the first YF-104A to be converted to F-104?
Once the configuration was finalized, 55-2956 was the first YF-104A converted to the F-104A production standard. In this photograph, the F-104’s secret engine intakes are covered by false fairings.
What is the difference between the XF-104 and the YF-104A Starfighter?
Lockheed YF-104A Starfighter 55-2955 (183-1001), right profile. Note the increased length of the fuselage and revised air intakes, compared to the XF-104, above. Also, the XF-104’s nose gear retracts backward, while the YF-104A’s gear swings forward. (U.S. Air Force)
How many pounds of thrust does a YF-104 have?
The YF-104 initially flew with the GE XJ79-GE-3 turbojet which generated 9,300 pounds of dry thrust (14,800 with afterburner), which was later replaced by the J79-GE-3A with an improved afterburner. A total of 17 YF-104As were ordered by the USAF on 30 March 1955 for further flight testing.
What is the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter?
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is a single-engine, supersonic interceptor aircraft which later became widely used as an attack aircraft.
