F-104 Starfighter – PDF

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was developed during the 1950s as a lightweight, high-performance fighter emphasizing speed, altitude, and rapid climb. Designed by Lockheed under Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, the F-104 featured an exceptionally streamlined fuselage, extremely thin wings, and a powerful afterburning turbojet engine. The result was one of the fastest fighters of its generation and the first operational combat aircraft capable of sustained flight at approximately twice the speed of sound.

The Starfighter entered U.S. Air Force service in 1958, initially serving primarily as a high-speed interceptor. American F-104s were deployed during several Cold War crises and later saw combat service in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War, performing air defense, escort, and other missions. Although its career with the U.S. Air Force was relatively brief, the aircraft achieved much greater international success through an extensive NATO production and procurement program.

West Germany became one of the largest and most important operators of the F-104. The Luftwaffe adopted the Starfighter primarily as a low-level fighter-bomber and reconnaissance aircraft, including a major role in NATO’s tactical nuclear strike mission. German F-104s became a familiar sight over Europe and served on the front line of NATO’s defenses for decades. Despite a controversial accident record during its early German service, improvements in training, maintenance, and operating procedures allowed the Starfighter to become a long-serving component of West German air power.

The F-104 ultimately served with air forces across Europe, Asia, and North America, with some operators retaining the aircraft for decades. Its extraordinary performance, distinctive appearance, and widespread NATO service made the Starfighter one of the most recognizable military aircraft of the Cold War. This product provides complete U.S. Air Force and West German Luftwaffe counter variations, allowing the aircraft to represent both American and NATO operations.

What’s Included:

For both the USA & West German versions of the aircraft

• 12 1.5” square counter images
• 24 1” square counter images
• 36 .75” square counter images
• 40 .625” square counter images
• Numbered Images to assist with game organization and tracking
• Printable PDF format for personal gaming use

Each image size is contained on a ½ sheet.

• Enables users to save paper and print 2 types of aircraft on the same page.
• Print one set of aircraft images then reverse the page in the printer and print a second type of your choice on the same page.