F-104G 23+80 JG 71 "Richthofen" in February 1968

F-104G, construction number 683D-8080, company model 683-10-19, built by Fokker
manufactured by North Group (ARGE-Nord); first flight June 7, 1963 coded KG-180 at Fokker-Schiphol
planned under project "Roland" in AWX (All Weather Fighter) version with "Wing Pylon Bomb Provision" modification
project canceled after a belly landing at Fokker factory prior delivery on August 8, 1963 at Amsterdam-Schiphol Airport
pilot forgot to lower the gear after fire warning in flight on the last test flight, repaired at Avio Diepen starting August 13, 1963
back to Fokker on July 2, 1964; camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"; acceptance date March 10, 1965 by BABwFokker (RNAF-MTA)
to LVR 3 (Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 3) at Manching AB on March 18, 1965 for delivery and modifications
code JD+256 was planned and not used; JG 74 at Neuburg AB delivery date June 2, 1965; to Messerschmitt on August 9, 1965 for modification
JA+235 JG 71 "Richthofen" at Wittmund AB on August 14, 1965
23+80 IRAN at SABCA on December 17, 1968 with 595 flight hours, back to JG 71 on March 4, 1969
crashed on September 15, 1969 at Petkum near Leer on a night flight due to spatial disorientation, pilot ejected but was killed; written off; struck off charge order (AVA) January 8, 1970.

Project "Roland": 21 AWX (All Weather Fighter) aircrafts were modified by Fokker intended for JG 71 (FW 71), but remained at the LVR 3 in Manching until 1964.

copyright © Harry Prins