F104 Starfighter At Zell Start, Zero Length Launch

This is Absolutely Insane!

The F-104 Starfighter was already a rocket with wings, and the ZELL (Zero Length Launch) system just took that to a whole new level.

Strapping a solid rocket booster to the back of an already notoriously unstable aircraft and launching it like a missile? That’s some Cold War madness right there.

That left roll right after launch must have been terrifying—especially in an aircraft with razor-thin margins for error. The Starfighter’s tiny wings gave it ridiculous speed but also made it super unforgiving in low-speed or high-G situations. No wonder it got nicknames like “The Missile With a Man in It” and “Widowmaker.”

It’s wild to think about what these test pilots had to endure. Imagine being strapped in, knowing you’re about to be launched off the ground like a freaking ICBM. Would love to hear what went through their minds before takeoff!