Today in History – April 18, 1955 – Herman “Fish” Salmon ejects from 2nd prototype of Second prototype Lockheed XF-104A Starfighter #53-7787
18 April 1955 – The Second prototype Lockheed XF-104A Starfighter, 53-7787, c/n 083-0002, is lost when the airframe sheds the bottom ejection seat hatch fairing during 20 mm gun firing causing explosive decompression. Test pilot Herman R. “Fish” Salmon ejected as aircraft broke up, injured landing in rough country. [Joe Baugher cites the date of