TF-104G JA+371 "JG 71" Richthofen in winter of 1967

TF-104G, construction number 583D-5724, company model 583-10-20, US serial number 61-3053, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); assembly at Lockheed-Palmdale; Lockheed test flights at Palmdale coded "61-3053" in 1963
acceptance date by BABwLockheed March 21, 1963 in Silver-finish colors; to Germany coded KE+224; airlifted to Manching on April 4, 1963 with a Canadair CL-44D airfreighter
DA+053 code for assembly and test flights by Messerschmitt; camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"; acceptance date October 31, 1963 by BABwMTT
JA+371 JG 71 "Richthofen" at Wittmund AB delivery date on November 7, 1963; heavily damaged in 1967, repaired by Messerschmitt
coded 27+23 back to JG 71 on March 7, 1968; WaSLw 10 (Weapons School 10) at Jever AB on January 2, 1974; JaboG 33 at Buchel AB on July 10, 1974
JaboG 32 at Lechfeld AB on July 3, 1975; JaboG 33 at Buchel AB on March 12, 1976; JaboG 34 at Memmingen AB on February 20, 1978; JaboG 33 on June 7, 1978
withdrawn from use and stored LwSchleuse 11 on March 30, 1984; struck off charge order (AVA) October 2, 1984
MAP (Military Assistance Program) with 2.582 flight hours to Turkish Air Force (TuAF serial number 63-5724) November 15, 1984, no serial noted
"4-724" crashed with 141 Filo on August 5, 1986 near Bolu, Turkey; one pilot was sadly killed in this accident, the 2nd pilot was safe; the cause of the accident is unknown; written off.

note: during the take-off at Marville, FR on 24.01.1967 the rear canopy was lost (not properly locked, warning light overlooked), the fuselage and/or tail unit were also damaged.

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