lockheedf104

On the far left is Lockheed Test Pilot Tony LeVier, on the far right is another legendary aviator and test pilot, Herman R. 'Fish' Salmon (See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herman_Salmon ). Salmon would take the F-104 up on its first flight on February 17, 1956. What is also interesting about this photo is if you look over LeVier's right shoulder, you will see a fairing covering this F-104 Starfighter's jet intake. The F-104's intake design was initially classified, and early publicity photos featuring the aircraft were made with these fairings concealing the aircraft's intake configuration. Accordingly, it is very likely that they aircraft they are standing in front of is one of the first two service test Lockheed YF-104A Starfighters (USAF Ser. Nos. 55-2955 or 55-2956). Here is a lowered-resolution photo in the SDASM Photostream better illustrating the fairings (also possibly featuring Salmon in the pressure suit): The gentleman in the suit is the (then) long-time president of the Lockheed Corporation, Robert E. Gross. Since the YF-104A first flew in February 1956, and Robert Gross' last year leading Lockheed was 1956, we can be relatively confident that this photo was taken that year as well. I am unable to identify the other pilot in the photo at this time.

The pilot standing next to the 104's needle is "Fish" Salmon, my dad

Hi Renne Salmon, Its me Rozie Recchia! I saw this picture online and wanted to know more about it.I saw your name and just wanted to say hello. I hope you and your family are doing well.

As per the Aviation Safety Network, this aircraft would be converted into a JQF-104A target drone and shot down during US Navy tests of the AIM-7 Sparrow air-to-air missile on June 17, 1965. See: aviation-safety.net/wikibase/wiki.php?id=87042

The gentleman on the right is legendary aviator, air racer, Lockheed Test Pilot, and regarded by many as "The Father of Area 51," Anthony W. "Tony" LeVier. See: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_LeVier The aircraft in the background is a Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. I am currently unable to identify the pilot in the pressure suit.

Next to Tony is Bob Mattey not sure of the spelling. He was also a test pilot and was killed in a plane crash not long after this photo

Since these people have been identified, you need to change the title and remove this from the "need identification" album.

Correction on the identity of the test pilot in the pressure suit. Tony LeVier (right) is shaking hands with fellow test pilot Joe B. Jordan (left), on the day that Gordon set the (then) world altitude record of 103,395 ft in a US Air Force Lockheed F-104C Starfighter (56-0885), December 14, 1959. See: www.i-f-s.nl/f-104-records/ blog.seattlepi.com/americanaerospace/2010/12/13/f-104c-wo... www.thisdayinaviation.com/tag/joe-bailey-jordan/ Here is a film documenting the record-breaking flight: YouTube - The Joint Forces Channel: "Historic Footage Of F-104 Breaking Altitude Record"