F-104G 14888 at Luke AFB
F-104G, construction number 683D-7007, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 67-14888, built by Messerschmitt
manufactured by ARGE-Süd (South Group); assembly by Messerschmitt at Manching starting on December 11, 1961 with parts from Lockheed
first flight May 23, 1962 coded KE+307; assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 0
acceptance date July 19, 1962 by BABwMTT in Silver-finish colors; long term storage on July 19, 1962 under project "21"
Messerschmitt modification May 13, 1963; test flight on September 10, 1963 at Messerschmitt
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196" in November 1963; acceptance date November 26, 1963 by BABwMTT
LVR 3 (Luftwaffenversorgungsregiment 3) at Manching AB on January 14, 1964 for upgrading and modifications
DA+257 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on March 18, 1964; order for project "Columbus III" on February 27, 1967
according project "Columbus III" airlifted on March 29, 1967 to Lockheed-Burbank, USA with a Lockheed L-300 airfreighter; reassembled and test flown at Palmdale
 operated at Luke AFB by the  4510th CCTW (German shadow serial number 2139), operated in USAF Silver-finish colors coded 14888
crashed on December 1, 1972 during practice of a tactical weapons delivery (pop-up) at Gila Bend Range Nr.1
after loosing control of the aircraft during the roll-in for a Rocket delivery (CFIT); pilot ejected too late and was killed; written off
418 TFTS GAF FWS (Fighter Weapons School); 1.342 flight hours.

Project "21": 21 aircraft from the ARGE-Süd production were provided with long-term conservation for the purpose of later rearmament and parked at Manching. 
Later, when enough retrofit kits were available the aircraft were upgraded.

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