F-104A Starfighter jet in flight, ca.1960

Photograph of F-104A Starfighter jet in flight, ca.1960. At center, a long U.S. Air Force jet is visible in flight. The body of the jet is perfectly cylindrical except for the rounded beak of the plane. Also, a thin, long rod can be seen extending from the front of the plane. Above the beak, a small glass panel is visible over a cockpit. A single pilot can be seen flying the jet. Along the body of the plane, a large star-shaped emblem and a smaller shield-shaped insignia can be seen. Along the wing of the jet, a thin missile is visible attached to the tip of the wing. To the left, the jet thruster is seen attached to the body of the jet below the tail.; A description on the back of the photoprint reads: "Air powers top performer. Here is the aircraft-firepower combination which holds the world's altitude and speed records, and packs more punch per pound that any fighter ever built. The US Air Force's F-104A Starfighter, now on Duty at Larson Air Force Base, Washington, and other big Air Defense Command installations. A 1500 mile per hour performer -- it set the official mark at 1404.19 miles per hour. Equipped with sidewinder air to air guided missiles (shown here) for its sky-sweeping duties, the F-104 can carry a nuclear weapon payload. Despite its radical appearance and spectacular performance capabilities, pilots report that Lockheed produced F-104 handles easier than earlier jets. It is powered by the General Electric J-79 turbojet engine, providing 15,000 pounds of thrust".