Luftwaffe WW2 aces and F-104 Starfighters

Gunther Rall was converted onto jets by Roy Payne, ex 609 pilot (the pranger of the Tiffy on film at Biggin Hill – featured on the RAF at War).

‘Macky’ Steinhoff and Gunther Rall I believe, took every available opputunity to keep their F104 currency right up to the end of their service careers.
Not sure about Gerhard Barkhorn, I’ve got a feeling I’ve read he did fly the 104 in German service. He did have an go in the UK in a P1127 but pranged it, legend has it, upon climbing out of the bent aircraft he muttered in german ‘three hundred and two..’:D
Fron what I’ve read I don’t think Erich Hartmann flew the F104 in German service(only the F86) although he certainley had flights in the 104, 105 and 106 whilst stationed and visiting the US in the late 50’s and early 60’s.

Gunther Rall flew the F-104 when he was the head of the post-war Luftwaffe and has many hours in it.

Mark

Krupinski flew the Starfighter in December 1957 in the US when he tested it against the F11F-1F.

Johnny Johnson flew it too, during an exchange tour with the USAF, I believe.

I believe he did. Both he and Johannes Steinhoff (both ex- Bf109 and Me262 amongst other types) were trained to fly F104’s in the US when the West German Luftwaffe was formed. Don’t know any of the details.