F-104G "FG-245" (63-13245) on a 4 tanker mission 1965

F-104G, construction number 683-2028, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13245, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 3
flight test release October 27, 1961; flown with register number "128" for test flights; coded KF+104 for delivery with 30 flight hours
project "42" as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed and long range tanks as loose parts; shipped in boxes to Bremerhaven, Germany on November 15, 1961
by railroad to Manching AB for reassembly; Messerschmitt reassembly and test flight January 25, 1962; acceptance date by BABwMTT April 26, 1962
DA+233 delivery date on April 27, 1962 to JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB in Silver-finish colors; assigned for project "Columbus" on November 15, 1962
to Messerschmitt for disassembly on April 8, 1963; according project "Columbus" airlifted coded BG+134 to Lockheed-Burbank on May 9, 1963
reassembled and modified to the latest modification level at Lockheed-Palmdale
 operated by the 4510th CCTW at Luke AFB (German shadow serial number 2023) in USAF Silver-finish colors coded 13245
in long term storage from April 1976 until September 1978 with 2.334 flight hours; flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983
struck off charge order (AVA) July 21, 1983; sold to USAF with 2.814 flight hours 1983 with "Phase II" lot
MAP (Military Assistance Program) to ROCAF coded "4370" under project "Ali Shan No.8" to 42 squadron of 2 Wing
later to 28 TFS, the "Baby Dragon" squadron of 427 Wing (3 Wing became 427th TFW on August 16, 1976)
crashed October 3, 1991 after engine failure and 2 unsuccessful restarts into the sea during a radar intercept mission; pilot Wang Tien-hu ejected safely and was rescued; Lockheed C-2 seat; written off.
Takeoff from CCK 5:45 PM, crashed into sea at 6:20 PM after an engine flame-out due to a mechanical malfunction. Pilot was rescued by S-70C helicopter off the coast of Taichung harbor.

Project "42": to equip 42 aircraft (hence the name of the project!) for JaboG 31 (FBW 31) at Nörvenich in Fighterbomber version with built-in Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun, long-distance tanks as loose parts

copyright © Wilhelm Göbel