F-104G 20+15 JaboG 31 during squadron exchange of 312 squadron with 102°Gruppo of 5°Stormo at Rimini AB in August 1977

F-104G, construction number 683-2017, company model 683-10-19, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 2; first flight 1961 at Lockheed-Palmdale
flight tests flown with register number "117" only; DA+114 used for inertial reference system (Litton LN-3) tests at Palmdale
acceptance date August 24, 1962 by BABwLockheed; with 119 flight hours airlifted to Manching on September 4, 1962
reassembled at Messerschmitt and test flight on October 22, 1962; acceptance date January 18, 1963 by BABwMTT in Silver-finish colors; project "Balance" (upgrading) was not implemented
YA+108 ErpSt 61 at Manching AB delivery date on January 23, 1963 in Silver-finish colors
mainly used by the ErpSt 61 detachment at Istres AB, France; camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196" in 1965
20+15 1970 to Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm (MBB) for J79-MAN-J1K engine installation tests and flights
JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB on August 22, 1975; Tactical Weapon Meet at Twenthe AB from 29.April till 15.May 1976
August 1977 squadron exchange of 312 squadron (2nd Staffel) with Italian Air Force 102°Gruppo, based at Rimini AB flying the F-104S
crashed March 4, 1980 near Genk, Belgium during practice weapons delivery at Helchteren Range, Belgium
due to partial disorientation (vertigo) of pilot after loss of horizontal situation indicator (HSI), caused by INS-platform failure; pilot ejected safely; written off
struck off charge order (AVA) August 12, 1980.

copyright © Klaus Kropf