Sources differ on number of airfraft in PLAAF formation (Bowman says 12, Davies says 8). Bowman says 1 MiG-19 destroyed, Davies says 2. MIA status of missing pilot, first uncontested kill quote currently unsourced.
[[File:Chuck Yeager in NF-104.jpg|thumb|alt=Chuck Yeager in his NF-104|[[Chuck Yeager]] in the cockpit of an NF-104, 4 December 1963]]
[[Takeoff]] speeds were in the region ofbetween {{convert|219180|mphand|abbr=on200|kn}}, with the pilot needing to swiftly raise the landing gear to avoid exceeding the limit speed of {{convert|299260|mph|abbr=onkn}}. Climb and cruise performance were outstanding; occasionally a "slow" light would illuminate on the instrument panel at around Mach 2 to indicate that the engine compressor was nearing its limiting temperature and the pilot needed to throttle back. Returning to the [[airfield traffic pattern|circuit]], the downwind leg could be flown at {{convert|242210|mph|abbr=onkn}} with "land" flap selected, while long flat [[final approach (aviation)|final approaches]] were typically flown at speeds around {{convert|207175|mph|abbr=onkn}} depending on the weight of fuel remaining. High engine power had to be maintained on the final approach to ensure adequate airflow for the boundary layer control system; consequently pilots were warned not to cut the throttle until the aircraft was actually on the ground. A [[Drogue chute|drag chute]] and effective brakes shortened the Starfighter's landing roll.<ref>Bowman 2000, pp. 40, 43.</ref>
[[File:F-104A flight envelope.jpg|thumb|alt=Refer to caption|F-104A flight envelope]]
