Pilots call the Starfighter a lady - good-looking, elegant, but also a bit impulsive. It demands all of a pilot's attention but can do so much that it's well worth it. When the Luftwaffe introduced the Starfighter in 1962, it was a big leap for all concerned, since they had to catch up with a great deal of aircraft development in such a short time. Even today the capabilities of the Starfighter would be considered admirable; it climbs from ground level to 13,594 metres in only four minutes and 22 seconds; even with two Sidewinders on its wings, it can accelerate from 880 km/h to 2100 km/h in less than four minutes at a height of 10,668 metres; and its maximum rate of climb is 243.8 metres per second. After 25 years of service, the Starfighter was phased out in October 1987. Especially in its later years, some of the F?104Gs sported distinctive markings to commemorate special occasions. For many years the F-104 was the backbone of NATO's air power. The Dutch Air Force also had 138 planes in its inventory

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