JF-104A "956" (55-2956) US Navy at NAF China Lake 1959 YF-104A, construction number 183-1002, model 183-93-02, US serial number 55-2956, built by Lockheed accepted by USAF on March 30, 1956; first appearance with fake cones on April 17, 1956; delivery date to USAF on August 2, 1956 AFFTC (1956-1958); AMC storage (late 1958); in 1958 modifications as JF-104A inside AF Plant 14 (Palmdale) April 1959 flying out of NAF China Lake (NMC) for Sidewinder missile tests "956" crashed at NAF China Lake on June 15, 1959, Pilot Cmdr Herk Camp survived he had engine trouble on takeoff and ran off the end of the runway resulting in total damage; written off. copyright © Gary Verver