If the F15 is the Eagle, the F-104 was

[Kellanved]

[Cooley Hurd]

1. A friend who was part of the test program said the Starfighter...

...was a plane you had to keep in front of, or it would fly out of control. It wasn't loaded with redundant computer control systems like the F-15 is.

[Kellanved]

3. probably

Well, recently I got to hear tons of German Army jokes.

One is:
"What's the cheapest way to obtain a Starfighter?"
A: "Rent land near a Luftwaffe base.".

[Cooley Hurd]

4. Overall, he wasn't fond of it...

...his normal job at Edwards was flight-testing modern in-flight refueling (with the boom), but checked out in the YF-104. Fascinating man - flew B-24's in the ETO during WW2, and was a test pilot at Edwards AFB during the golden years (the 50's). He passed away about 8 years ago...:(

I could talk to him for hours at the FBO...

[solinvictus]

2. The Germans...

called it the "Flying Coffin".

[StClone]

5. A poorly designed weapons platform

The short wings would work today with computer fly-by-wire technology to control F-104's inherently unstable aerodynamics. But back then being alert, lucky and good were needed to survive your tour with the "Widow-maker".

[lectrobyte]

6. The Lawn Dart -- so named for its bad landing and takeoff

characteristics.

[Robb]

7. The Patsy

;)

...If you look at experimental/secret airplane crashes in the period, 9 out of 10 cover stories were "F-104 crash."

Naturally, no one doubted it. :D