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Thumbnail Filmstrip of USAF F-104C Starfighter 479th TFW Edwards, Captain Joe Jordan, World Altitude Record, Dec. 14 1959 Images
Hobby Master 1:72 Air Power Series HA1039
Lockheed F-104C Starfighter Diecast Model
USAF 479th TFW, #56-0885, Joe Jordan, Edwards AFB, CA, World Altitude Record, 1959
At Edwards AFB on December 14, 1959 and on the fifth attempt Lockheed F-104C 56-0885 piloted by USAF Captain Joe B. Jordan reached an altitude of 103,389 feet (31,513 m) officially setting a new world altitude record for turbojet-powered aircraft. The aircraft belonged to the 479th TFW at George AFB that was deployed to Moron AB, Spain in November 1959. On May 9, 1961 56-0885 was lost when it went out of control and the pilot safely baled out. The cause was a wrong size elevator hinge pin had been installed.