Starfighters
I think the appalling accident rate of Starfighters had to do with taking a plane and using it for something it wasn't made for.
Starfighter (F104) was made for going real fast and high over Californian deserts. You then add a ton of weapons (or so) and send it flying in miserable N.European weather.
In addition Germany had a gap in experience from 45 to 55 in flying combat aircraft and were I think some of the first to receive them. They lost about half, Denmark about a third of the planes, Germany did not have experience with F86 or F100.
And yes, the prime reason they sold so well was bribes. The second was probably that it could be used for tactical nuclear bombs.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
