XF-104 "FG-786", the first Starfighter, with early tip tank fins and no intake cones Lockheed XF-104, construction number 083-1001, model 083-92-01, US serial number 53-7786 FG-786 first flight March 4, 1954 (official first flight), crashed July 11, 1957 due to uncontrollable tail flutter, pilot Bill Park ejected safely. The first XF-104 (53-7786) was ready in early 1954, designed by chief engineer Clarence R. "Kelly" Johnson and trucked out to Edwards AFB in high secrecy during the night of February 24-25, 1954 veteran Lockheed test pilot Tony LeVier was to do the initial testing, taxiing runs began on February 27, 1954 on February 28, 1954 the XF-104 made a scheduled short hop (lift-off tests) of about five feet off the ground during a high speed taxi runs Its first official flight took place on March 4, 1954 During that flight, the landing gear would not retract. After a low-speed flight of about 20 minutes, Tony LeVier landed Some adjustments were made, and LeVier took off again, but the landing gear still would not retract The problem turned out to be low pressure in the hydraulic system, which was fairly easy to correct However, inclement weather kept the XF-104 on the ground until March 26, when flights three and four were carried out with the landing gear retracting adequately. Engine: Wright J65-B-3, no afterburner copyright © USAF DOD