F-104A (China) - Revision history

U38088265: /* Description */

2023-09-07T13:34:49Z

‎Description

U4656018: Updated description

2023-09-06T06:34:41Z

Updated description

U44629479: Edits

2022-12-01T22:34:12Z

Edits

U38088265: /* Engine performance */ Updated

2022-09-17T11:09:11Z

‎Engine performance: Updated

U97916902: /* Pros and cons */

2022-07-01T22:50:07Z

‎Pros and cons

U31139476: /* Suspended armament */ Edits

2022-06-30T19:38:55Z

‎Suspended armament: Edits

U38088265: /* Flight performance */ Updated

2022-05-07T16:36:06Z

‎Flight performance: Updated

U38088265: /* Offensive armament */ Updated

2021-12-16T19:49:42Z

‎Offensive armament: Updated

U38088265: /* Pros and cons */

2021-10-07T19:58:34Z

‎Pros and cons

U14047958: /* Pros and cons */

2021-10-07T19:40:12Z

‎Pros and cons

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 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' , commonly known as the "星式戰鬥機" (literal translation of "Starfighter") or by its notorious nicknames "寡婦製造機" (Widowmaker) and "飛行棺材" (Flying Coffin) derived from the Luftwaffe, was one of the F-104 series in service at ROCAF as the military surplus of USAF. As the cross-strait conflict still intensifies and PLAAF's introduction of supersonic [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19/J-6]] series, ROCAF urged for the supersonic fighters to replace the already obsolete F-86F series by 1960s. Both F-100 and F-104 were requested by ROCAF as they have already seen USAF's F-104A in Taichung Kokan (now CCK) Airbase; out of the expectation of ROCAF, USAF soon agreed to supply 22 F-104A and 5 F-104B (due to the improved C series has joined USAF service in homeland air-interception missions) by 1960 under the Project Alishan (阿里山計劃). These jets soon replaced the F-86Fs in Taichung but only served for 6 years and were returned to US, where these jets were then supplied to Jordan and Pakistan; while ROCAF obtained F-104G from different sources to replace this gap.
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' , commonly known as the "星式戰鬥機" (literal translation of "Starfighter") or by its notorious nicknames "寡婦製造機" (Widowmaker) and "飛行棺材" (Flying Coffin) derived from the Luftwaffe, was one of the aircraft supplied by the USAF to the ROCAF as military surplus. As the cross-strait conflict intensified in the 1960s and the PLAAF introduced the supersonic [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19/J-6]] series, the ROCAF requested supersonic fighters to replace the already obsolete F-86F series. Both the F-100 and F-104 were requested by the ROCAF, as they had already seen the USAF F-104A in Taichung Kokan (now CCK) Airbase. Unexpectedly, the USAF soon agreed to supply 22 F-104A and 5 F-104B (as the improved C series had joined USAF service in homeland air-interception missions) by 1960 under Project Alishan (阿里山計劃). These jets soon replaced the F-86Fs in Taichung but only served for 6 years and were returned to US, where these jets were then supplied to Jordan and Pakistan, while the ROCAF obtained the F-104G from different sources to fill in the gap.
-Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]] alongside with other F-104 series in game, this early interceptor model of the F-104 Starfighter is identical to the [[F-104A|US F-104A]] which behaves very differently from the [[F-100A (China)|ROCAF F-100A]] that precedes it. The thin and pencil-shaped F-104 has excellent speed, acceleration, and climb for its battle rating but horrid turning capabilities at low speeds. The missile armament of two AIM-9B Sidewinders is disappointing, but it at least has a nifty M61 Vulcan rotary cannon that can dispatch enemies in a quick burst. Pilots who adhere to strict boom-and-zoom tactics can take advantage of the F-104's high performance compared to its contemporaries. Succeeding this aircraft is the improved [[F-104G (China)|ROCAF F-104G]], which boasts further improved performance and vastly superior payload options.
+Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]], this early interceptor model of the F-104 Starfighter performs identically to the [[F-104A|US F-104A]], and behaves very differently from the [[F-100A (China)|F-100A]] that precedes it. The thin and pencil-shaped F-104 has excellent speed, acceleration, and climb for its battle rating, but terrible turning capabilities at low speeds. The missile armament of two AIM-9B Sidewinders is disappointing, but it at least has a nifty M61 Vulcan rotary cannon that can dispatch enemies in a quick burst. Pilots who adhere to strict boom-and-zoom tactics can take advantage of the F-104's high performance compared to its contemporaries. Succeeding this aircraft is the improved [[F-104G (China)|ROCAF F-104G]], which boasts further improved performance and vastly superior payload options.
 == General info ==

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 == Description ==
 <!-- ''In the description, the first part should be about the history of and the creation and combat usage of the aircraft, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the aircraft in the game. Insert a screenshot of the vehicle, so that if the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, he will immediately understand what kind of vehicle the article is talking about.'' -->
-The '''{{Specs|name}}''' is a rank {{Specs|rank}} Chinese jet fighter {{Battle-rating}}. It was introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]].
+The '''{{Specs|name}}''' , commonly known as the "星式戰鬥機" (literal translation of "Starfighter") or by its notorious nicknames "寡婦製造機" (Widowmaker) and "飛行棺材" (Flying Coffin) derived from the Luftwaffe, was one of the F-104 series in service at ROCAF as the military surplus of USAF. As the cross-strait conflict still intensifies and PLAAF's introduction of supersonic [[MiG-19 (Family)|MiG-19/J-6]] series, ROCAF urged for the supersonic fighters to replace the already obsolete F-86F series by 1960s. Both F-100 and F-104 were requested by ROCAF as they have already seen USAF's F-104A in Taichung Kokan (now CCK) Airbase; out of the expectation of ROCAF, USAF soon agreed to supply 22 F-104A and 5 F-104B (due to the improved C series has joined USAF service in homeland air-interception missions) by 1960 under the Project Alishan (阿里山計劃). These jets soon replaced the F-86Fs in Taichung but only served for 6 years and were returned to US, where these jets were then supplied to Jordan and Pakistan; while ROCAF obtained F-104G from different sources to replace this gap.
-This early interceptor model of the F-104 Starfighter, identical to the [[F-104A|US F-104A]] is a very different aircraft from the [[F-100A (China)|ROCAF F-100A]] that precedes it. The thin and pencil-shaped F-104 has excellent speed, acceleration, and climb for its battle rating but horrid turning capabilities at low speeds. The missile armament of two AIM-9B Sidewinders is disappointing, but it at least has a nifty M61 Vulcan rotary cannon that can dispatch enemies in a quick burst. Pilots who adhere to strict boom-and-zoom tactics can take advantage of the F-104's high performance compared to its contemporaries. Succeeding this aircraft is the improved [[F-104G (China)|ROCAF F-104G]], which boasts further improved performance and vastly superior payload options.
+Introduced in [[Update "Starfighters"]] alongside with other F-104 series in game, this early interceptor model of the F-104 Starfighter is identical to the [[F-104A|US F-104A]] which behaves very differently from the [[F-100A (China)|ROCAF F-100A]] that precedes it. The thin and pencil-shaped F-104 has excellent speed, acceleration, and climb for its battle rating but horrid turning capabilities at low speeds. The missile armament of two AIM-9B Sidewinders is disappointing, but it at least has a nifty M61 Vulcan rotary cannon that can dispatch enemies in a quick burst. Pilots who adhere to strict boom-and-zoom tactics can take advantage of the F-104's high performance compared to its contemporaries. Succeeding this aircraft is the improved [[F-104G (China)|ROCAF F-104G]], which boasts further improved performance and vastly superior payload options.
 == General info ==
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 ;Skins
 * [https://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?vehicle=f-104a_china Skins and camouflages for the {{PAGENAME}} from live.warthunder.com.]
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 ;Related development
 * [[F-104 (Family)]]
@@ Line 236: / Line 238: @@
 * ''other literature.'' -->
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''

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 == Media ==
 <!-- ''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.'' -->
-''Excellent additions to the article would be video guides, screenshots from the game, and photos.''
 == See also ==
@@ Line 225: / Line 227: @@
 * ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
 * ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.'' -->
-* ''reference to the series of the aircraft;''
+;Related development
-* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
+* [[F-104 (Family)]]
 == External links ==
 <!-- ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.'' -->
 ''Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:''
 * ''topic on the official game forum;''
 * ''other literature.''
 {{AirManufacturer Lockheed}}
 {{China jet aircraft}}

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 ! colspan="2" | {{Annotation|Basic mass|Mass of the aircraft with pilot and engine oil, but no fuel or weapons load}} || colspan="3" | Wing loading (full fuel)
 |-
-| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-3 || 1
+| colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-3B || 1
 | colspan="2" | 6,112 kg || colspan="3" | 509 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
-! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | Max Takeoff<br>Weight
+! colspan="4" | Mass with fuel (no weapons load) || rowspan="2" | {{Annotation|Max Gross<br>Weight|Mass of the fully equipped aircraft with heaviest weapons load}}
 |-
 ! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
@@ Line 95: / Line 95: @@
 |-
 | 1,615 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
-| 6,915 kg || 7,624 kg || 8,380 kg || 8,789 kg || 24,000 kg
+| 6,915 kg || 7,624 kg || 8,380 kg || 8,789 kg || 9,033 kg
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 |-
 ! Condition || 100% || WEP
-! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MTOW
+! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MGW
 |-
 | ''Stationary'' || 4,190 kgf || 6,571 kgf
-| 0.95 || 0.86 || 0.78 || 0.75 || 0.27
+| 0.95 || 0.86 || 0.78 || 0.75 || 0.73
 |-
 | ''Optimal'' || 4,190 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 8,584 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
-| 1.24 || 1.13 || 1.02 || 0.98 || 0.36
+| 1.24 || 1.13 || 1.02 || 0.98 || 0.95
 |-
 |}

@@ Line 190: / Line 190: @@
 '''Pros:'''
-* Much faster than most enemies, supported by high acceleration
+* Excellent top speed; much faster than most enemies, supported by high acceleration
-* Great climb-rate
+* Great climb rate
 * Decent high-speed manoeuvrability, in spite of its tiny wings
-* Powerful 20 mm Vulcan gun has absurdly high fire rate, can do some serious damage
+* Powerful 20 mm Vulcan gun has absurdly high fire rate, high velocity and high damage
 * Good roll rate
 '''Cons:'''
@@ Line 202: / Line 201: @@
 * Inadequate air-to-air missiles
 * No countermeasures to counter AAMs
-* Unable to equip bombs or rockets, limited to air-to-air role only
+* Unable to equip bombs or rockets, limited to an air-to-air role only
-* As with most jets, it tends to bleed off speed quickly in sustained turns
+* As with most jets, it tends to bleed  speed quickly in sustained turns
 * Relatively low ammo count for the Vulcan; trigger discipline is necessary
-* M61 Vulcan doesn't shoot instantly, takes a moment to spool up
+* M61 Vulcan doesn't shoot instantly; it takes a moment to spool up
 == History ==

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 * 2 x AIM-9B Sidewinder missiles
-The F-104A is an interceptor variant, unlike the later multirole models like the [[F-104C]] or [[F-104G]]. In light of this, its only loadout option is a pair of AIM-9B Sidewinders. The AIM-9Bs have worn out their welcome at the F-104A's battle rating and getting kills with them is challenging: they have a limited acquisition cone, cannot be launched under high G-loads, and are prone to losing their target due to evasive manoeuvres, flares, or sometimes plain luck. Poor-quality missiles like these are situational: save them for use against enemies that are not paying attention or who have run out of airspeed and are unable to manoeuvre, but do not rely on them to score a kill and be ready to mop things up with the Vulcan at a moment's notice.
+The F-104A is an interceptor variant, unlike the later multirole models like the [[F-104C]] or [[F-104G]]. In light of this, its only loadout option is a pair of AIM-9B Sidewinders. The AIM-9Bs have worn out their welcome at the F-104A's battle rating and getting kills with them is challenging: they have a limited acquisition cone,   are prone to losing their target due to evasive manoeuvres, flares, or sometimes plain luck. Poor-quality missiles like these are situational: save them for use against enemies that are not paying attention or who have run out of airspeed and are unable to manoeuvre, but do not rely on them to score a kill and be ready to mop things up with the Vulcan at a moment's notice.
 == Usage in battles ==

@@ Line 33: / Line 33: @@
 |-
 ! Stock
-| 2,105 || 2,089 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.4 || 33.0 || 190.8 || 182.7 || rowspan="2" | 1,180
+| 2,104 || 2,076 || rowspan="2" | {{Specs|ceiling}} || 32.4 || 32.8 || 187.5 || 178.7 || rowspan="2" | 1,180
 |-
 ! Upgraded
-| 2,196 || 2,149 || 31.6 || 32.0 || 251.6 || 220.0
+| 2,195 || 2,149 || 31.6 || 32.0 || 255.2 || 220.0
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 62: / Line 62: @@
 ! Combat !! Take-off !! Landing !! + !! -
 |-
-| {{Specs|destruction|body}} || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 444 || ~13 || ~5
+| 1,527 <!-- {{Specs|destruction|body}} --> || {{Specs|destruction|gear}} || N/A || 827 || 444 || ~13 || ~5
 |-
 |}
@@ Line 86: / Line 86: @@
 |-
 | colspan="2" | General Electric J79-GE-3 || 1
-| colspan="2" | 6,182 kg || colspan="3" | 513 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
+| colspan="2" | 6,112 kg || colspan="3" | 509 kg/m<sup>2</sup>
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | Engine characteristics
@@ Line 92: / Line 92: @@
 |-
 ! Weight (each) || colspan="2" | Type
-! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel
+! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel
 |-
 | 1,615 kg || colspan="2" | Afterburning axial-flow turbojet
-| 6,985 kg || 7,617 kg || 8,335 kg || 8,859 kg || 24,000 kg
+| 6,915 kg || 7,624 kg || 8,380 kg || 8,789 kg || 24,000 kg
 |-
 ! colspan="3" | {{Annotation|Maximum engine thrust @ 0 m (RB/SB)|The maximum thrust produced by each engine, while mounted in the aircraft. NOTE: Thrust varies significantly depending on speed & altitude.}}
@@ Line 101: / Line 101: @@
 |-
 ! Condition || 100% || WEP
-! 11m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 37m fuel || MTOW
+! 10m fuel || 20m fuel || 30m fuel || 35m fuel || MTOW
 |-
-| ''Stationary'' || 3,936 kgf || 6,061 kgf
+| ''Stationary'' || 4,190 kgf || 6,571 kgf
-| 0.87 || 0.80 || 0.73 || 0.68 || 0.25
+| 0.95 || 0.86 || 0.78 || 0.75 || 0.27
 |-
-| ''Optimal'' || 3,936 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 7,751 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
+| ''Optimal'' || 4,190 kgf<br>(0 km/h) || 8,584 kgf<br>(1,200 km/h)
-| 1.11 || 1.02 || 0.93 || 0.87 || 0.32
+| 1.24 || 1.13 || 1.02 || 0.98 || 0.36
 |-
 |}
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 This vehicle also lacks in the weaponry department. Although it has a powerful [[M61 (20 mm)]] Vulcan cannon, the only air-to-air missiles to which the plane has access is the AIM-9B. At this high battle rating, these early missiles are simply not enough to reliably destroy enemy targets, and the best way to use them is to target only slow-moving or inattentive enemies, like those in stall climbs. What's more, this vehicle is only equipped with two of them; the previous F-100A at least had four AIM-9Bs to toss around.
-The complete lack of ground attack ordnance makes the F-104A fairly useless for ground pounding. At most, the Vulcan can mop up lightly armored AI ground targets, but the handling characteristics of the aircraft make low-altitude gun runs risky. In combined battles, the Vulcan's AP rounds have decent penetration on paper, but attacking armored targets from the top-down angles required to attack roof armor is borderline suicidal in a Starfighter. Stick to other options for CAS.
+The complete lack of ground attack ordnance makes the F-104A fairly useless for ground pounding. At most, the Vulcan can mop up lightly armoured AI ground targets, but the handling characteristics of the aircraft make low-altitude gun runs risky. In combined battles, the Vulcan's AP rounds have decent penetration on paper, but attacking armoured targets from the top-down angles required to attack roof armour is borderline suicidal in a Starfighter. Stick to other options for CAS.
 ===Radars===
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 '''Cons:'''
-* Terrible low-speed maneuverability
+* Terrible low-speed manoeuvrability
 * Inadequate air-to-air missiles
 * No countermeasures to counter AAMs

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 {{Specs-Avia-Offensive}}
 <!-- ''Describe the offensive armament of the aircraft, if any. Describe how effective the cannons and machine guns are in a battle, and also what belts or drums are better to use. If there is no offensive weaponry, delete this subsection.'' -->
-{{main|M61 (20 mm)}}
+{{main|M61A1 (20 mm)}}
 The '''''{{PAGENAME}}''''' is armed with:
-* 1 x 20 mm M61 cannon, fuselage-mounted (750 rpg)
+* 1 x 20 mm M61A1 cannon, fuselage-mounted (750 rpg)
-The M61 Vulcan is a powerful gatling cannon. A quick and accurate burst can send targets into flames and the incredible rate of fire allows for some spray-and-pray, which is especially helpful considering how difficult it can be to get guns on target in this aircraft. But it has several drawbacks: first, the gun needs to spool up momentarily before it will fire, and second, the ammunition supply of 750 rounds will be depleted in no time if fired continuously. The former makes tap firing the gun to conserve ammunition a difficult affair but the latter means that holding down the trigger is not optimal either—certainly an awkward situation! New pilots can be afford to be somewhat more trigger-happy as they get used to the gun.
+The M61A1 Vulcan is a powerful gatling cannon. A quick and accurate burst can send targets into flames and the incredible rate of fire allows for some spray-and-pray, which is especially helpful considering how difficult it can be to get guns on target in this aircraft. But it has several drawbacks: first, the gun needs to spool up momentarily before it will fire, and second, the ammunition supply of 750 rounds will be depleted in no time if fired continuously. The former makes tap firing the gun to conserve ammunition a difficult affair but the latter means that holding down the trigger is not optimal either—certainly an awkward situation! New pilots can be afford to be somewhat more trigger-happy as they get used to the gun.
 === Suspended armament ===

@@ Line 192: / Line 192: @@
 * Much faster than most enemies, supported by high acceleration
 * Great climb-rate
-* Decent high-speed manoeuvrability, in spite of its tiny wings
+* Decent high-speed maneuverability, in spite of its tiny wings
-* Powerful 20 mm Vulcan gun which has absurdly high fire rate, can do some serious damage
+* Powerful 20 mm Vulcan gun has absurdly high fire rate, can do some serious damage
 * Good roll rate
 * Adequate all-round vision in simulator
 '''Cons:'''
-* Lousy low-speed manoeuvrability
+* Terrible low-speed maneuverability
 * Inadequate air-to-air missiles
 * No flares to counter AAMs
@@ Line 206: / Line 205: @@
 * As with most jets, it tends to bleed off speed quickly in sustained turns
 * Relatively low ammo count for the Vulcan; trigger discipline is necessary
-* M61 Vulcan doesn't shoot instantly, takes less than a second to rotate
+* M61 Vulcan doesn't shoot instantly, takes less than a second to rev
 == History ==
@@ Line 213: / Line 212: @@
 The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a supersonic jet fighter known for its distinctive appearance, described as a "missile with a man in it". At the time of its introduction in 1958 with the US Air Force as an interceptor, the F-104 set multiple performance records and was the first production fighter capable of flying at twice the speed of sound. Flaws of the design included engine troubles, limited range, and poor handling characteristics that led to a poor safety record, earning it several morbid nicknames like "Widowmaker".
-The F-104's involvement with the Republic of China/Taiwan began soon after it entered service with the US Air Force in 1958. The Second Taiwan Straits Crisis in the August of that year was sparked by the People's Liberation Army shelling new ROC military installations on the islands of Kinmen and the Matsu Archipelago. The USAF deployed F-104s to Taiwan and used them to perform supersonic passes into the airspace of the Straits and mainland China in order to show off the capabilities of the Mach-2 capable Starfighter and intimidate the PLAAF, which at that time was equipped with [[J-2|MiG-15]]s and [[J-4|MiG-17]]s. No actual shooting engagements occurred and the F-104s were withdrawn after a cease fire in October.
+The F-104's involvement with the Republic of China/Taiwan began soon after it entered service with the US Air Force in 1958. The Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in August of that year was sparked by the People's Liberation Army shelling new ROC military installations on the islands of Kinmen and the Matsu Archipelago. The USAF deployed F-104s to Taiwan and used them to perform supersonic passes into the airspace of the straits and mainland China in order to show off the capabilities of the Mach-2 capable Starfighter and intimidate the PLAAF, which at that time was equipped with [[J-2|MiG-15]]s and [[J-4|MiG-17]]s. No actual shooting engagements occurred and the F-104s were withdrawn after a cease fire in October.
 The Republic of China Air Force received its first Starfighters starting in 1960, the first batch of F-104A/Bs being from ex-USAF stock. A number of them were sent to Pakistan in 1965, who received at least two F-104As from Taiwan to replace combat losses in the war with India. The F-104As were retired in the 1980s, with only the later variants like the [[F-104G (China)|F-104G]] remaining in service until the late 1990s with upgrades.
-A large number of Starfighters are preserved and on display in Taiwan today. At least four F-104As can be found at  Kanshan Air Force Base, Hsinchu Air Force Base, and other locations. A full list can be found [https://www.i-f-s.nl/preserved-f-104s/preserved-in-taiwan/ here].
+A large number of Starfighters are preserved and on display in Taiwan today. At least four F-104As can be found at Kanshan Air Force Base, Hsinchu Air Force Base, and other locations. A full list can be found [https://www.i-f-s.nl/preserved-f-104s/preserved-in-taiwan/ here].
 == Media ==