 Fighter ace Erich Hartmann was put into early retirement from the "Luftwaffe" due to his outspoken opposition to the selection of the F-104.The final production version of the fighter model was the F-104S, an all-weather interceptor designed by Aeritalia for the Italian Air Force, and equipped with radar-guided AIM-7 Sparrow missiles.An advanced F-104 with a high-mounted wing, known as the CL-1200 Lancer, was considered, but did not proceed past the mock-up stage.