But one particular plane also earned this dubious nickname. This was unfortunately the case with the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, which the German forces and other countries dubbed the "widowmaker ...

What You Need to Know: The Lockheed F-104 “Starfighter,” developed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson’s Skunk Works, was a Cold War marvel known for its Mach-2.0 speed and sleek, missile-like ...

The F-104 is one of the most beautiful fighters of all those operated by Spain, which had them in service between 1965 and ...

What You Need to Know: The Lockheed F-104 “Starfighter,” developed by Clarence “Kelly” Johnson's Skunk Works, was a Cold War marvel known for its Mach-2.0 speed and sleek, missile-like design.

but not enough to save the F-104 as a whole from being something of a laughing stock. But you can't help but find the Italian Starfighter to be a fascinating aircraft regardless of its faults.