The F-104 Starfighter was one of the most fascinating aircraft of the Cold War era in Europe. Several European air forces operated the aircraft, with Germany alone having 916 Starfighters in its inventory. The General Electric J-79 engine howl was unique and filled the European skies for many years. This book details the purchase decisions, service introduction and aircraft production by Lockheed and European manufacturers. This is followed by a deep look at the entire period of Starfighter operations with the Luftwaffe and Marineflieger combat wings. Fighter, fighter-bomber and reconnaissance wings were all equipped with this aircraft.

With over 240 images, many unpublished outside of Germany, this book, the first volume of two covering the Starfighter in German service, provides a dynamic history of this versatile multi-purpose aircraft in service with the Luftwaffe and Naval Air Wings.