Downfall of Lockheed’s F-104 Starfighter: How the Rush of Cold War Re-Armament and an Aviation Industry in Crisis Led to One of the Bundeswehr’s First Scandals

Authors

Theresa Hilz, University of Munich (LMU)Follow

About the Author

Theresa Hilz is a second year MA student enrolled in the American History, Culture and Society program at the University of Munich (LMU). During her two years of social work in the US in the field of special education, she developed a strong interest in American history and politics. In her studies, she has since focused on the intersectionality of social and environmental issues in the North American context. Other research interests include German-American relations, memory culture, and material culture.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

The "Starfighter Crisis," one of the Bundeswehr's earliest and most notorious scandals, highlights the complexities of Cold War military rearmament and the pitfalls of rapid decision-making in the face of geopolitical pressures. This paper examines West Germany's acquisition of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter in 1958, a move driven by the need to bolster NATO's nuclear capabilities and strengthen political and economic ties with the United States. The F-104, while a marvel of aviation technology with its record-breaking speed and altitude, proved disastrous for the German Air Force due to its high accident rate, earning it nicknames like "widow maker" and "flying coffin." This study delves into the political landscape following the Second World War, illustrating how urgent Cold War dynamics influenced hasty military strategies.

Recommended Citation

Hilz, Theresa (2025) "Downfall of Lockheed’s F-104 Starfighter: How the Rush of Cold War Re-Armament and an Aviation Industry in Crisis Led to One of the Bundeswehr’s First Scandals," Madison Historical Review: Vol. 22, Article 4.
Available at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/mhr/vol22/iss1/4