17. F-104 Starfighter 1,404mph
F-104 Starfighter during refueling
Photo: airrefuelingarchive
The F-104 Starfighter built for the United States Air Force by Lockheed in 1954. It was the first aircraft to hold concurrent records for both highest flight, shortest time to altitude, as well as overall velocity with a mind blowing 1,404mph. It specialized in high altitude fighter bombing missions but could also be used as an interceptor although it didn’t see much action in that regard.