[kach22i]

Originally Posted by flipper35

It would have been a decent interceptor, but it would have never been a good frontline fighter.

Germany was fond of using interceptors as fighters, bet they would have bought a few.

Witwenmacher
Witwenmacher ‹ HistoricWings.com :: A Magazine for Aviators, Pilots and Adventurers

The Germans committed themselves to the largest Starfighter purchase in all of NATO — out buying even the US Air Force.............

The Luftwaffe’s nuclear mission involved the low altitude penetration of the East Bloc at high speed.

http://www.pacificaviationmuseum.org/pearl-harbor-blog/lockheed-f-104-starfighter

Long range was not important in Europe, and the small nose cone could contain miniaturized radars. This overseas success was tainted when investigators found in 1975 Lockheed spent millions of dollars in bribes to sell aircraft to foreign customers.

To make landing speeds “reasonable,” The F-104 forced engine air through the wings to smooth the airflow and give more lift. With bleed air, the Zipper could land at the challenging but not extreme speed of 160 to 165 knots. If the air-bleed system was not working, landing speeds climbed to 240 knots.