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Remember that the F-104 was originally for tended as a light-weight fighter of US allies The USAF only flew them long enough to convince allies that it was a good plane.
After about 1965, the only F-104s still painted in USAF colours were really training Luftwaffe pilots in American airspace.
The USA only sold them less potent fighters for two reasons: First, few of those allies could afford first-line fighters.
Secondly, the USAF did not want former allies equipped with the very best weapons in case they had to re-invade later. This reminds me of a conversation with A US Navy SEAL friend that I had not seen for a few months. “We were down in [some armpit of a Latin American country] teaching them how to patrol rivers and stop drug trafficking.”
“What if you have to re-invade later?”
“Don’t worry. We only taught them 3/4 of what we know.”
After about 1965, the only F-104s still painted in USAF colours were really training Luftwaffe pilots in American airspace.
The USA only sold them less potent fighters for two reasons: First, few of those allies could afford first-line fighters.
Secondly, the USAF did not want former allies equipped with the very best weapons in case they had to re-invade later. This reminds me of a conversation with A US Navy SEAL friend that I had not seen for a few months. “We were down in [some armpit of a Latin American country] teaching them how to patrol rivers and stop drug trafficking.”
“What if you have to re-invade later?”
“Don’t worry. We only taught them 3/4 of what we know.”