In fact Shaanxi Y-8

Splitting hairs 🙂

….. a nice heavy transport of soviet origin in the background ! 😉

RR

American, I’d guess?

Oh dear, its all go a but heated. 🙁

In the end – and most of the above bears this out – it is often not the aircraft but the way it is operated that is the cause of the accidents. The ‘104 is a case in point, no doubt. It was ahead of its time – like almost everything from Lockheed – and needed an appropriate entry in to service and follow-on operating programme. The German experience was an example of how not to do it, and they suffered, sadly.

Let’s move on? … RR

F-104 attrition rates were less than their F-84 predecessors.

And proportionately less than many others. The Harrier, for example, was very poor. Much of the ‘104 problem was about training, culture, etc and not the aircraft. Remember, it was cutting edge at the time so no wonder there were problems!

RR

No doubt, Bolkow Bo207!

That’s an AN-12, mate. The “trainer” could be an SU-25?

The answer is yes, Wyvernfan. The early ‘104s had the downward firing seat but very soon the pitfalls became apparent!!! However, the access remained and the seats are/were removed this way.

RR

Mmmm …

Ah yes, RpR, the wonderful Dart!!! All this is still “in the eye of the beholder”, though! For me the ‘104 takes it hands down but I accept that’s not the case for everyone!

RR 🙂