916 Starfighter

YF-104A "FG-969" (55-2969) on loan by General Electric (GE) for J-79 engine tests at Edwards AFB

YF-104A, construction number 183-1015, model 183-93-02, US serial number 55-2969, built by Lockheed
The initial assembly of 55-2969 was finished on August 20, 1956 and delivered to the US Air Force eleven days later.
Soon after delivery the aircraft was assigned to AFFTC. As soon as it was repaired after an accident at Eglin AB it was sent to China Lake for some missile (AIM-9) testing.
In 1958 it was it was selected for a record flight by Walter Irwin on May 16, 1958 from Edwards Air Force Base.
This aircraft, which was one of the operational F-104As at Hamilton AB by that time with the 83rd FIS, was chosen as the bird to be used.
Together with a detachment from Hamilton it was transferred to Edwards AFB temporary for the record flights.
On May 16, 1958 Walter reached a speed record of 2,259 km/h (1,404 mph). Also two acceleration records were broken.
The F-104 flew to 3,000 meters in 41,8 seconds and 25,000 meters in 4 minutes and 26,03 seconds. After the record breaking activities it returned back at Hamilton.
To improve the poor reliability of the J-79 the company General Electric was starting a special project. For this the company got 55-2969 on loan, arriving with General Electric on August 8, 1958.
It got General Electric markings and it received a partly dayglow color scheme as well as nickname "Queenie".
It performed accelerated service tests on the J-79, as well as other development work before the main test in 1960.
The aircraft served General Electric until August 1961 when the aircraft returned to Lockheed, Palmdale for future drone modifications.
It was one of the last airplanes that still had a downward ejection seat, among other features that were common to the YF-104's.
As QF-104A drone it entered the 3205th Drone Squadron in 1964. Finally the life of this aircraft ended January 26, 1971 when it was shot down by an AIM-4H missile shot from an F-4E Phantom. It was on the 25th drone mission.