 The F-104 set numerous world records, including for both airspeed and altitude.Its success was marred by the Lockheed bribery scandals, in which Lockheed had given bribes to many foreign political and military figures to secure purchase contracts; this caused political controversy in Europe and Japan.The poor safety record of the Starfighter, especially in German Air Force ("Luftwaffe") service, also brought the aircraft into the public eye.