SR 53
Maximum speed: M2.0 at 35,000 ft
Climb to 50,000 ft: 2.2mins
Weight empty: 7,400lbs
turbojet thrust 1,640lb
rocket thrust 8,000lbs
2 Firestreak missiles
First Flight 1957
F-104
Max Speed: M2.2 at 35,000 ft.
Climb Rate: 50,000 feet per minute
Weight empty: 14,082 lbs
turbojet thrust: 14,000 to 18,000 lbs
M-61 Vulcan 20mm cannon
4,000 lbs of bombs under the wings
2 Sidewinders
First flight 1954
Faster, better climb, more armament, more thrust, already operational...
To me it seems obvious why they killed a slower, less capable aircraft for one already proven and in service.