While serving in the US Air Force in Sardinia Italy, 1983, I had the pleasure of working with the Italian and German Air Forces, both which flew this beautiful aircraft. I never tired of watching it's low altitude high speed passes and hearing that sound! Oh, that sound that was so different than all the other aircraft! Good memories, thanks!
My husband Juergen Tank flew in a duo team out of Jagel, Germany and did shows throughout Europe. It was an exciting time! He loved flying for sure. Juergen passed away in 2012 in Prescott, Arizona.
Es ist traurig zu lesen, das Panzer nicht mehr unter uns weilt. Auch wenn sehr spät, mein herzlichstes Beileid. Er war in der 1. Staffel mein Chef. Wir selbst kennen uns noch aus der Zeit in der Küche bei Tanta Sophie. Alles Gute
I saw this demo 2 times when i was young. First at the ILA in Hannover and the second time somewhere in Schleswig-Holstein. I still get goosebumps when remembering the slow pass of the first Starfighter and then the second one comes very fast at half the height from behind. Sorry for your loss, Rowena!
I love the Starfighter and the Germans flew them right on the edge! The surrounding terrain is beautiful. It would make a great back drop for some air to air footage.
Great post but to TRULY appreciate the F-104 you have to see and HEAR it in person. There is something visceral about the roar of that 'missile with a man in it.'
Funny I was there at the time, but have no recollection of this demo. This airshow was so rich and packed with miliatry aircraft you mostly dream of having the chance to see them live (F-4, F-15, F-111, Tornado, Viggen, Mirage 2000 etc.) For sure it is an impressive demo, just look how tight in formation they take-off and the part where one is doing a touch & go whlie the other is chasing him is pure fun.
@justforever96 My dad was a Zipper IP for 6 years and he absolutely loved that A/C! This coming from a fellow who racked up a bazillion hours in the F-86. For me it was a real privilege to see & hear the F-104 during my teenage years.
I remember seeing this display in the 80s at the ILA at Hannover. I think it was '84 when the Speed Canard was presented. When one of the Starfighters went slow and low with his landing gear out and the other passed below him very fast... what a wow moment! And i saw that again on an open door day somewhere in Schleswig Holstein a bit later but can't remember where exactly. Thanks @slivers49 for showing one of the precious moment of the past again!
Absolutely brilliant! I remember The Vikings from airshows in the eighties - definitely the highlight of the day. It's nice to see footage of them WITHOUT cheesy music too.
We had them in the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. F104B and C models returning from Viet Nam. My Favorite Aircraft. The Germans did a very good job keeping it alive for so long, so did the Italian Stormo, the Spanish, Thiland, Japan, Greece, Pakistan, Canada, Belgium. It was a well loved Jet. J79's ROCK!!!
this F104G was not an aircraft, this was a rocket which has been told to behave like an aircraft, so difficult to bridle like a wild mustang, great bravo to the pilots who had this ability to fly this real "starfighter".
Nicht nur in den 60ern :-) Für mich persönlich der schönste Kampfjet überhaupt. Bis heute. Sound und Optik sind einfach legendär, auch wenn die Kiste eigentlich nicht so der Hit war (Waffenzuladung, Reichweite, Allwettertauglichkeit).
@lassecfc Well, im born north of the river Elbe and that had been Viking area as well. Marineflieger airfields are in the middle of the ancient Viking areas. That is not only a privelige of the modern Danish state. we should understand this as a partly shared history within the ancient borderlines.
Dear Buddy Beeck first of all congratulations for your career and I feel very honored to have received your involvement and your info to my videos of the Vikings. I had already noticed the mistake, but unfortunately, remedy, should I remove and fix the video, but lose 70,000 visions ... patience. Many greetings and yet my compliments for having flown with the Starfighter ... my love! Alessandro Zucchelli alias Slivers49
@germansascha Yes. It was originally an interceptor but the conditions changed and its role was adapted as a strike aircraft. Laden with bombs and flying at low level wasn't its primary design and many crashed, mainly on landing!
@HawgRyder1 The F-104 was only a "widowmaker" when you tried flying it slowly...i.e. during landing! As long as you were in the air and kept your speed up (not a problem with an F-104!) it flew pretty nicely, although it had a turning radius a little bit bigger than Texas. As long as you don't fly into the ground, you're okay. Too bad flying low-level nuclear strike practice missions over Germany involves poor visibility, high speed and low altitude...dangerous in any plane, not just the F-104
Great Video. I find faster planes more exciting in flying displays than the boring verticals performed the newer fighters. They showed why the pilots liked the F104 althought it was known to be unsafe in the GAF.
@paceflight Well, the tip-tanks aren't the same as drop tanks...they can't be dropped in flight, and supposedly they don't affect performance noticeably. I just think the F-104 looks...odd without them. When you put tanks on the wings, it looks even more like some Buck-Rogers spaceship. A pair of Sidewiders looks okay on the wingtips too, but I like the tanks better. It looks naked with nothing on the tips. And they discovered that the tanks actually helped it's stall characteristics a bit.
The Starfighter was a good plane for low level flying due to it's small wing area. It's no coincidence that the Starfighter holds the speed record at low level.
Das Schauflug-Team "Vikings" der Bundeswehr-Marineflieger hatte seinen letzten Auftritt mit Starfightern 1986 beim Flugtag des JG 74 in Neuburg a. d. Donau.
lo "spillone" in italia ha servito per molti anni (forse anche troppi) però credo sia rimasto nel cuore di tanti piloti italiani,certo nel nostro paese non è mai stato un protagonista nel campo del'acrobazia ma credo che qualche " manico" degli stormi che lo hanno avuto in carico potrebbe raccontarci un pò di belle storie!!
Other operators did lose planes and pilots-the Spanish Air Force was i believe, the only operator that didn't suffer any losses. The West German Air Force was the principle user of this aircraft initially, so they would be likely to lose more. However, the WG Marines (The Vikings Display Team) didn't experience the same misfortune, possibly because teething troubles with the aircraft had been ironed out, operating perameters and maintenance proceedures had been better organised.
The germans modificated the f-104. After that modification they called them GF-104. There were many reasons for all the crashes. Many modifications, wrong ejection seats, not originally devices, too much weight etc etc ...
to end the Viking discussion: One of the most important Viking settlements was found in northern Germany where today is Schleswig. This town was called Haithabu. Google it if you don't trust me
Great video! I own an original landing flap actuator of the 104, rebuilt for a cognac bottle inside. Nice idea for the chief´s desk. I want to sell it. Interested?
Die Dinger flogen früher ständig bei uns. Durch ihr ohrenbetäubende Geheul unverwechselbar. Die weckten gerne meine kleinen Brüder im Mittagsschlaf auf. :-)
How this plane can fly? In the 60's the mirage iii would be the better choise for german air force but this widowsmaker was chosen for political reasons.
Holy shit! That was awesome! Those are some ballsy fucking pilots! But watch at like exactly 1:38 (but start before, it's a landing run, with on jet landing and one flying slowly above. Watch at 1:37 and after, I swear the flying plane drops like ten feet suddenly, like he almost stalled it. Maybe it's just hte camera, but it looks like that to me! Anyway, cool video.
imho the saab draken was not only the technical better airplane, it also looked way better... i love the wing-integrated inlets... very smart design. the f 104 looks all right from the side but from other angles i find it somehow cartoony / funny.
Planes like C-130 or L-1011 turn actually better than this failed one. A C-123 or C-130 aerobatics team would have been much better. And entire Europe has no such thing like Black Eagles. Maybe there are things like the old letece zvezde.
This was not an aerobatics team. The Vikings demonstrated actual combat maneuvers they would have also flown if attacking Soviet Warships in the Baltic Sea.
![Stock to Spaded - F-104C - Should You Grind/Spade It? Starfighter Gets Some CAS [War Thunder]](/img/n.gif)
While serving in the US Air Force in Sardinia Italy, 1983, I had the pleasure of working with the Italian and German Air Forces, both which flew this beautiful aircraft. I never tired of watching it's low altitude high speed passes and hearing that sound! Oh, that sound that was so different than all the other aircraft! Good memories, thanks!
F 104 era solito vederli a Decimomannu in Sardegna
My husband Juergen Tank flew in a duo team out of Jagel, Germany and did shows throughout Europe. It was an exciting time! He loved flying for sure. Juergen passed away in 2012 in Prescott, Arizona.
RIP
Es war eine EHRE
Mein Beileid ! Es war mir eine Ehre " Die Vikinger " erleben z dürfen ! Gruss aus Deutschland !!
Es ist traurig zu lesen, das Panzer nicht mehr unter uns weilt. Auch wenn sehr spät, mein herzlichstes Beileid. Er war in der 1. Staffel mein Chef. Wir selbst kennen uns noch aus der Zeit in der Küche bei Tanta Sophie. Alles Gute
Rowena Tank wo wohnst du jetzt? Kleine Welt.
I saw this demo 2 times when i was young. First at the ILA in Hannover and the second time somewhere in Schleswig-Holstein. I still get goosebumps when remembering the slow pass of the first Starfighter and then the second one comes very fast at half the height from behind.
Sorry for your loss, Rowena!
The F-104 still impresses, and captures he imagination, close to 60 years after it's inception. The BEST 104 Demo, On UA-cam !
I love the Starfighter and the Germans flew them right on the edge! The surrounding terrain is beautiful. It would make a great back drop for some air to air footage.
Great post but to TRULY appreciate the F-104 you have to see and HEAR it in person. There is something visceral about the roar of that 'missile with a man in it.'
Best remember to my past working 2 years in squadron with Starfighters. Nothing is the same!
Funny I was there at the time, but have no recollection of this demo. This airshow was so rich and packed with miliatry aircraft you mostly dream of having the chance to see them live (F-4, F-15, F-111, Tornado, Viggen, Mirage 2000 etc.) For sure it is an impressive demo, just look how tight in formation they take-off and the part where one is doing a touch & go whlie the other is chasing him is pure fun.
@justforever96 My dad was a Zipper IP for 6 years and he absolutely loved that A/C! This coming from a fellow who racked up a bazillion hours in the F-86. For me it was a real privilege to see & hear the F-104 during my teenage years.
I remember seeing this display in the 80s at the ILA at Hannover. I think it was '84 when the Speed Canard was presented.
When one of the Starfighters went slow and low with his landing gear out and the other passed below him very fast... what a wow moment!
And i saw that again on an open door day somewhere in Schleswig Holstein a bit later but can't remember where exactly.
Thanks @slivers49 for showing one of the precious moment of the past again!
Absolutely brilliant! I remember The Vikings from airshows in the eighties - definitely the highlight of the day. It's nice to see footage of them WITHOUT cheesy music too.
one of my favourite aircraft ever. great movie. thanks.
Still one of the most impressive planes in history.
The rocket with a man in it!!!
I Had the Luck to see the Vikings here in germany !! Really miss those F104s ! The Great Sound of Freedom !! ;-D
!
We had them in the Puerto Rico Air National Guard. F104B and C models returning from Viet Nam. My Favorite Aircraft. The Germans did a very good job keeping it alive for so long, so did the Italian Stormo, the Spanish, Thiland, Japan, Greece, Pakistan, Canada, Belgium. It was a well loved Jet. J79's ROCK!!!
Awesome landing in a 2200m runway. Thank for tail parachute Good brakes and arresting rubber fence on overrun 💪👍✌👏
I wish they had their wingtip tanks on. I think the Starfighter looks best that way. In fact, it almost looks funny without it!
@lassecfc
Yes, the Vikings. had been a German Navy display team.
this F104G was not an aircraft, this was a rocket which has been told to behave like an aircraft, so difficult to bridle like a wild mustang, great bravo to the pilots who had this ability to fly this real "starfighter".
Nicht nur in den 60ern :-) Für mich persönlich der schönste Kampfjet überhaupt. Bis heute. Sound und Optik sind einfach legendär, auch wenn die Kiste eigentlich nicht so der Hit war (Waffenzuladung, Reichweite, Allwettertauglichkeit).
Incredible routine!!!
@lassecfc
Well, im born north of the river Elbe and that had been Viking area as well. Marineflieger airfields are in the middle of the ancient Viking areas. That is not only a privelige of the modern Danish state. we should understand this as a partly shared history within the ancient borderlines.
There's nothing quite compares to the sight and sound of the F104 starfighter. And nothing came close to the vikings.. 👍
Dear Buddy Beeck
first of all congratulations for your career and I feel very honored to have received
your involvement and your info to my videos of the Vikings.
I had already noticed the mistake, but unfortunately, remedy, should I remove and fix the video, but lose 70,000 visions ... patience.
Many greetings and yet my compliments for having flown with the Starfighter ... my love!
Alessandro Zucchelli alias Slivers49
very nice high speed performance with original sound. great!
@germansascha Yes. It was originally an interceptor but the conditions changed and its role was adapted as a strike aircraft. Laden with bombs and flying at low level wasn't its primary design and many crashed, mainly on landing!
@HawgRyder1 The F-104 was only a "widowmaker" when you tried flying it slowly...i.e. during landing! As long as you were in the air and kept your speed up (not a problem with an F-104!) it flew pretty nicely, although it had a turning radius a little bit bigger than Texas. As long as you don't fly into the ground, you're okay. Too bad flying low-level nuclear strike practice missions over Germany involves poor visibility, high speed and low altitude...dangerous in any plane, not just the F-104
Great Video. I find faster planes more exciting in flying displays than the boring verticals performed the newer fighters. They showed why the pilots liked the F104 althought it was known to be unsafe in the GAF.
I remember the Vikings in the U.K in the 80s was awe inspired by them, I ended up in the RAF....
When we went to a airshow in the uk in 80tis first thing to check what’s on lightning star fighter Vulcan can’t wait to get there
F 104 FOREVER, LOVELY J-79 SOUND.
1986, the last season of the Vikings.
1:05 holy shit!!!!!
@paceflight Well, the tip-tanks aren't the same as drop tanks...they can't be dropped in flight, and supposedly they don't affect performance noticeably. I just think the F-104 looks...odd without them. When you put tanks on the wings, it looks even more like some Buck-Rogers spaceship. A pair of Sidewiders looks okay on the wingtips too, but I like the tanks better. It looks naked with nothing on the tips. And they discovered that the tanks actually helped it's stall characteristics a bit.
The Starfighter was a good plane for low level flying due to it's small wing area. It's no coincidence that the Starfighter holds the speed record at low level.
How could they have so much deaths when you have the skills to do this???
The Title of the video is incorrect of course, as the vikings were the display team of the GERMAN NAVY !
Otherwise a graet clip !
Das Schauflug-Team "Vikings" der Bundeswehr-Marineflieger hatte seinen letzten Auftritt mit Starfightern 1986 beim Flugtag des JG 74 in Neuburg a. d. Donau.
Grazie per avere condiviso con tutti questa RARITA'!!
jetflydemoteam
Great vid thanks for posting!!!
Crazy jet crazy pilots
cool vid. one of the loudest aircrafts ever
Zu letzt habe ich 1966 am F 104 geschraubt.( MFG 1 Jagel
awesome display.
lo "spillone" in italia ha servito per molti anni (forse anche troppi) però credo sia rimasto nel cuore di tanti piloti italiani,certo nel nostro paese non è mai stato un protagonista nel campo del'acrobazia ma credo che qualche " manico" degli stormi che lo hanno avuto in carico potrebbe raccontarci un pò di belle storie!!
The German Airforce lost a lot of these aircraft in accidents when other operators didn't! Anyone know why?
Beautiful! 🥰
Great stuff! Thanks for posting!
woooooow! i love the sound!
Other operators did lose planes and pilots-the Spanish Air Force was i believe, the only operator that didn't suffer any losses. The West German Air Force was the principle user of this aircraft initially, so they would be likely to lose more. However, the WG Marines (The Vikings Display Team) didn't experience the same misfortune, possibly because teething troubles with the aircraft had been ironed out, operating perameters and maintenance proceedures had been better organised.
A weird but wonderful plane. Not a crash to be seen
remember 'The Vikings' well.god,those starfighters were LOUD!!!
The germans modificated the f-104. After that modification they called them GF-104. There were many reasons for all the crashes. Many modifications, wrong ejection seats, not originally devices, too much weight etc etc ...
@RainerBrueck Da kann ich dir nur zustimmen, schön ist sie. Aber leider zu gefährlich für die, die sie fliegen.
Was für eine Höllenmaschine!
Einer meiner Lieblingsjets. Jedoch schlecht im Luftkampf. Pakistanische F-104 hatten keine Chance gegen indische Mig-21.
...coolest aircraft ever...
to end the Viking discussion: One of the most important Viking settlements was found in northern Germany where today is Schleswig. This town was called Haithabu. Google it if you don't trust me
oh my gosh look how much runway they need before they're barely airborn
@nolifemerc you're american right? you think navy+aviation=carrier landings? WRONG - the german navy's fighter wings been coastal defense and ASW.
How exactly to use the monteria system
Grande Sandro!!!!!
Great video! I own an original landing flap actuator of the 104, rebuilt for a cognac bottle inside. Nice idea for the chief´s desk. I want to sell it. Interested?
when was this video taken? there are tornados so it cant be so old
1986
Back when you could get close to the action. I understand the safety implications but they just fly too far out nowadays.
💪💪💪💪💪💪
Die Dinger flogen früher ständig bei uns. Durch ihr ohrenbetäubende Geheul unverwechselbar. Die weckten gerne meine kleinen Brüder im Mittagsschlaf auf. :-)
Nice video. Thanks.
Too bad the video transfer wasnt in 4K
Not Air Force, German Naval Air Squadron 1 and 2. Jagel and Eggebek.
How this plane can fly?
In the 60's the mirage iii would be the better choise for german air force but this widowsmaker was chosen for political reasons.
Bravo
DANKE.
One word: Kawoooooooooosch!
Imagine them at full boil!
@justforever96 Hah, every fighter pilots dream is to punch off those tanks and start pulling hard! Awesome Video, thanks!
where was this video thaken?
Sion, Switzerland
...y love 104
really a plane for big boys, and other big balls pilot, who dare to fly low with such a high wing loading plane!!!
@Prof1989 "The Vikings"? I have never heard of German vikings!
"war" geil ;)
ok thanks for that.
@uluuluululu did the f104 ever land on carrier
Holy shit! That was awesome! Those are some ballsy fucking pilots! But watch at like exactly 1:38 (but start before, it's a landing run, with on jet landing and one flying slowly above. Watch at 1:37 and after, I swear the flying plane drops like ten feet suddenly, like he almost stalled it. Maybe it's just hte camera, but it looks like that to me! Anyway, cool video.
imho the saab draken was not only the technical better airplane, it also looked way better... i love the wing-integrated inlets... very smart design. the f 104 looks all right from the side but from other angles i find it somehow cartoony / funny.
classic F-104. landing too fast. Most of the accidents happened during landing
Nice Routine.
Every landing is a controlled crash…😂
Say it in English!
That would have been cool to see, can't do that anymore...Shitty
It would be an honor to crash in such a plane...
Planes like C-130 or L-1011 turn actually better than this failed one. A C-123 or C-130 aerobatics team would have been much better. And entire Europe has no such thing like Black Eagles. Maybe there are things like the old letece zvezde.
This was not an aerobatics team. The Vikings demonstrated actual combat maneuvers they would have also flown if attacking Soviet Warships in the Baltic Sea.