JQF-104A "52957" (55-2957) remote controlled drone at Eglin AFB

YF-104A, construction number 183-1003, model 183-93-02, US serial number 55-2957, built by Lockheed
F-104A 55-2957 was the third YF-104A built. After release to service, it was redesignated as a JF-104A, due to the test equipment it carried.
It entered service with the 83FIS at Hamilton AFB.
On March 7, 1958, Major Howard Johnson flew this aircraft to a record breaking height of 91.243 feet.
Seventeen miles! Although it still carried test equipment, it was not modified in any manner for the record attempt.
In 1961 the aircraft was modified to JQF-104A standard as the drone programme test aircraft and was issued to the 3205th Drone Squadron at Eglin AFB.
It was the first F-104 to be flown remotely, although in the early tests the aircraft was always flown manned in case there was a problem
with the control system. In 1965 all test equipment was removed and 55-2957 became an ordinary drone.
On August 8, 1967, on its fourth flight as a standard drone, 55-2957 was shot down by a Sparrow missile fired from an F-4D Phantom.

November 13, 1958
Swiss altitude record of 21,600 meters (70,866 feet) in a zoom climb by Hptm Arthur Moll, Swiss Air Force, in YF-104A "FG-957", serial number 55-2957 at Edwards AFB, CA (USA)

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