'Getti Tonanti' F-104C Starfighters

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Lockheed F-104C Starfighter - 'Getti Tonanti', 5th Aerobrigata, Aeronautica Militare, 1960

Entering service in February 1958 with the 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton AFB, California the F-104A interceptor served only briefly with the USAF Air Defense Command but this was soon followed by the multi-role F-104C which entered service with USAF Tactical Air Command in September 1958 when the 479th Tactical Fighter Wing at George AFB, California began to re-equip with the type. Despite setting a new world altitude record of 103,395 ft (31,515 m) just a few months later in December 1958 the USAF sharply reduced their orders for the F-104 leading Lockheed to urgently seek export orders and they soon gained an export order from the Italian Government in January 1960 for 40 F-104C's for the Aeronautica Militare. 

With Italy hosting the Olympic Games in the late summer of 1960, the Italian President Giovanni Gronchi personally asked the US President Dwight D. Eisenhower for the earliest possible delivery date as he wanted to use the F-104C's as part of the opening ceremony. Not only did 'Ike' graciously agree but he also authorised the immediate transfer of 10 F-104C's from USAF stocks which were airlifted to Europe during February and March being reassembled at Ramstein Air Base before being flown to Villafranca Air Base by USAF pilots and officially handed over to the 5th Aerobrigata of the Aeronautica Militare. The F-104C's replaced the F-84F Thunderstreaks of the 'Getti Tonanti' aerobatic display team and this elite unit performed a sensational display at both the opening and closing ceremonies of the Games of the XVII Olympiad held in Rome from August 25th to September 11th, 1960.