F-104G "14889" (US serial number 67-14889) 58th TTW at Luke AFB returning from a Gunnery training flight in 1980

F-104G, construction number 683D-7015, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 67-14889, built by Messerschmitt (MTT)
manufactured by South Group (ARGE-Süd); assembly by Messerschmitt-Manching starting March 26, 1962 with parts from Lockheed
assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 0; first flight April 15, 1962 coded KE+315 in Silver-finish colors
long term storage on July 31, 1962 under project "21"; Messerschmitt modification August 23, 1963; acceptance date July 17, 1964 by BABwMTT; code DD+361 was not used
DD+368 JaboG 34 at Memmingen AB delivery date on July 31, 1964; recoded DD+255 on November 5, 1964
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"; order for project "Columbus III" on February 27, 1967
according project "Columbus III" airlifted on April 19, 1967 to Lockheed-Burbank, USA with a Lockheed L-300 airfreighter; reassembled and  test flown at Lockheed-Palmdale
 operated at Luke AFB by the 4510th CCTW (German shadow serial number 2147) in USAF Silver-finish coded 14889
2.126 flight hours in May 1977; flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983
struck off charge order (AVA) July 19, 1983; with 2.932 flight hours sold to USAF in 1983 with "Phase III" lot
coded "4397" MAP (Military Assistance Program) to ROCAF under project "Ali Shan No.8" to 41 squadron of 2 Wing
modified to RF-104G LOROP (Long Range Oblique Photography) with 12 SMS (Special Mission Squadron); last noted in 1990 and most likely scrapped; no further information.

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.

badge of the 4518th TFTS at Luke AFB

copyright © Willy Metze