Aircraft

[Carruthers]

Originally Posted by Diaphone Jim

I wonder if precautions around the thin leading edge of F104's were more to protect damage TO rather than FROM.

In this instance the danger was from the leading edge rather than the other way on.

With the wings mounted mid-fuselage, they would be at about head level and ground crews would frequently bump their heads on the wings, especially with their thin profile.
Although the edge was not as sharp as a knife, or even dull scissors, the injuries prompted the Air Force to install leading edge guards on the wings, while the plane was on the ground.
That would prevent injuries…

Presumably, as a visiting aircraft, leading edge guards weren't available so they had to improvise with paper and tape!

Note the leading edge protector on the left of the picture.

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