I am not a pilot, but i noticed some points:
1) The unusually small wing, was forcing to high speeds always, even in landing. In case of problem, this kills you easier.
When compared to earlier era fighters such as the F-84 and F-86 (which is what the Greek AF flew before the F-104), the F-104 did operate at “higher” speeds. But “higher” doesn’t necessarily mean “too high”.
Unless, of course, the pilot’s experience level is with slower speeds…and then in some cases, the higher speeds may exceed the pilot’s level of proficiency. Most of us upgraded to fighters from lesser performing aircraft…and we did it without much of a problem. Did some fail to handle these increased conditions? Yes. Such is life. Speed by itself doesn’t kill. Pilot error as the result of failing to keep up with those speeds will however.
Again, due to the small wing, the flap’s functionality was becoming crucial. If they failed for mechanical reasons, or if the pilot “forgot” one of these “flap tricks”, he was dead (like the one that never managed to get out of the dive mentioned before or his Wing Commander).
The F-104 did not have any “flap tricks”. It did have operating procedures which, if ignored or forgotten, could put the pilot at risk…but that is true of any aircraft.
Let’s just put it this way…there wasn’t anything lethal about the F-104 design. For its time, it went through the same teething problems of any major leap forward in technology and capability…afterburning engine, engine nozzle design, advanced avionics, higher operating speeds, etc. These problems were sorted out over time…at the cost of accidents and lives…this is the price we pay for moving forward.
The tendency to dive immediately instead of gliding without engine power, was again probably fatal, especially in combination with the initial C2 ejection seat (the case of the first 2 instructors that had C2 seats).
The airplane did not “dive” immediately without engine power. Been there, done that. Any aircraft will descend if the engine poops out. Did the F-104 have a steeper glide angle and speed than earlier fighters? Absolutely. In the event of a power loss, did the pilot have to make the correct decisions in minimum time? Absolutely. Did some pilots fail to do this? Absolutely. Sometimes Darwin’s Theory is a bitch.
Add the psychological factor to the pressure on the pilot. What kind of psychology and concentration one has when he gets “guidelines” to be on alert on take off, on alert on landing and to have one hand on ejection lever and after a while see your instructors get killed one by one?
The “procedures” you mentioned are unfamiliar to me. Given the time frame of these remarks (early in the F-104 years of service), it sounds like those pilots had some legitimate concerns.
If they couldn’t deal with those concerns, then there is always the door.
But that’s just my opinion of an “amateur”.
And you are entitled to it. Opinion is OK, as long as it is informed opinion. There is much more to this subject than meets the eye, particularly when the viewer lacks experience in the subject.
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