F-104 StarFighter of Pakistan Air Force
- Thread starter ghazi52
- Start date
AZ_HighCountry
INT'L MOD
Many years ago, as a fresh out engineer, I was overseeing a project that was not too far from Luke Air Force Base. At that time, the Luftwaffe trained there. Got to see not only their F-4s but their F-104s as well.
Trivia - former US Senator from Arizona Barry Goldwater was responsible for the creation of the Arizona Air National Guard. One of the aircraft he flew during his career happened to be the F-104. The AZ Air National Guard has an F-104 on static display at its facility at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Trivia - former US Senator from Arizona Barry Goldwater was responsible for the creation of the Arizona Air National Guard. One of the aircraft he flew during his career happened to be the F-104. The AZ Air National Guard has an F-104 on static display at its facility at Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix.
Gripen9
Trusted Member
Windjammer
VIP Member
A rare image of PAF ground crew arming the 20mm cannon of an F-104 Starfighter.
ghazi52
THINK TANK: CONSULTANT
- Thread starter
- #150
DGPR (AIR FORCE)
@DGPR_PAF
Today in History
On 15 September 1961, history was written at Sargodha Air Base (later renamed PAF Base Mushaf) when the first pair of F-104 Starfighters thundered onto the runway after completing their ferry flight from Faisal Base.
These jets had first arrived at Karachi, sea-lifted aboard the US Navy carrier CORE. From there, they were painstakingly transported to Faisal Base through three grueling midnight road convoys.
The convoys crawled at just 3–5 mph, hauling the prized fighters from West Wharf under strict secrecy and unprecedented traffic control. Once reassembled and air-tested at Faisal, the Starfighters were flown to their new home at Sargodha. These aircraft carried advanced modifications tailored to PAF’s requirements. They were equipped with C-2 upward-firing ejection seats, AN/ASG-14T1 fire-control systems and the more powerful General Electric J79-11A engines, along with the deadly M-61 Vulcan cannon.
Going further, PAF engineers displayed remarkable ingenuity, converting a two-seat F-104B into a reconnaissance platform with Swedish TA-7M cameras and modifying a single F-104A to carry radar-homing devices such as RALOR and SLARD for electronic warfare roles.The legendary No 9 Squadron “Griffins” was the sole unit to operate these iconic jets.
Between August 1961 and March 1965, the Squadron received twelve F-104As and two dual-seat F-104Bs. In the crucible of the 1965 and 1971 wars, these sleek Starfighters carved their place in history, with PAF pilots securing nine confirmed aerial victories against the adversary.The arrival of the Starfighter not only marked Pakistan’s entry into the supersonic age, but also underscored PAF's ability to adapt, innovate and fight with unmatched courage.
@DGPR_PAF
Today in History
On 15 September 1961, history was written at Sargodha Air Base (later renamed PAF Base Mushaf) when the first pair of F-104 Starfighters thundered onto the runway after completing their ferry flight from Faisal Base.
These jets had first arrived at Karachi, sea-lifted aboard the US Navy carrier CORE. From there, they were painstakingly transported to Faisal Base through three grueling midnight road convoys.
The convoys crawled at just 3–5 mph, hauling the prized fighters from West Wharf under strict secrecy and unprecedented traffic control. Once reassembled and air-tested at Faisal, the Starfighters were flown to their new home at Sargodha. These aircraft carried advanced modifications tailored to PAF’s requirements. They were equipped with C-2 upward-firing ejection seats, AN/ASG-14T1 fire-control systems and the more powerful General Electric J79-11A engines, along with the deadly M-61 Vulcan cannon.
Going further, PAF engineers displayed remarkable ingenuity, converting a two-seat F-104B into a reconnaissance platform with Swedish TA-7M cameras and modifying a single F-104A to carry radar-homing devices such as RALOR and SLARD for electronic warfare roles.The legendary No 9 Squadron “Griffins” was the sole unit to operate these iconic jets.
Between August 1961 and March 1965, the Squadron received twelve F-104As and two dual-seat F-104Bs. In the crucible of the 1965 and 1971 wars, these sleek Starfighters carved their place in history, with PAF pilots securing nine confirmed aerial victories against the adversary.The arrival of the Starfighter not only marked Pakistan’s entry into the supersonic age, but also underscored PAF's ability to adapt, innovate and fight with unmatched courage.
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