YF-104A "FG-970" (55-2970) "The Beauty and the Beast" Lockheed promotion photo 1957

serial number 55-2970, construction number 183-1016, model 183-93-02, built by Lockheed
first flight February 17, 1956, ready for delivery September 18, 1956, acceptance by USAF September 18, 1956
delivery date January 31, 1957, and used as BLC test bed
crashed May 25, 1957 near Barstow, pilot Arthur Joseph Peterson was safe, written off
It crashed 12:20 hours PST at San Bernardino, 20 N Miles NW of Camp Irwin on Leach Gunnery Range,
in California during an gun shooting test mission after encountering a compressor failure.
Pilot, Lockheed Engineering Test Pilot, Arthur Joseph Peterson tried several air starts which were not successful.
Then he ejected safely at 2,500 feet. Aircraft took off from AF Plant 42, Lockheed, California, a flight which lasted 21 minutes.

copyright © Chris Baird