F-104S ASA-M "999" Ducati 2003

F-104S, construction number 783-1230, serial number MM6930, model 783, built by Aeritalia
accepted by AMI on July 24,1978; 53-04 21°Gruppo based at Cameri AB 08.1978-13.6.1981
April 1979 squadron exchange with Dutch Air Force 312 squadron based at Volkel AB and 21°Gruppo; 4-22 9°Gruppo 07.1983-24.5.1987
July 1984 9°Gruppo based at Grosseto AB rotated with Royal Air Force 56 squadron at Wattisham AB
October 1985 9°Gruppo rotated with Dutch Air Force 315 squadron based at Twenthe AB
Alenia in June 1987 for conversion to F-104S ASA modification + IRAN; completed February 10, 1989
36-13 12°Gruppo 03.1989-7.8.1990; 5-30 23°Gruppo 24.5.1991-21.9.1992; "36-" 11.1994-14.2.1996
coded "06" with 311°Gruppo 29.6.1996; RS-06 28.11.1996; 4-12 9°Gruppo Grosseto AB 6.3.1997-9.11.1998
TLP 1997-3 at Florennes AB May 1997; September 1997 rotation with JG 74 at Neuburg
IRAN + F-104S ASA-M conversion at Caselle 14.12.1998-15.9.2000; respray in grey camouflage scheme
delivery date 10°Gruppo 15.9.2000, 9-53 25.9.2000-2.9.2003; special colors 9-99 Ducati 10°Gruppo 19.09.2003 first flight; Pratica di Mare F-104 farewell
October 27, 2004 at Kleine-Brogel visit; last flight at Grazzanise 31.10.2004 with 4.024 flight hours (last 104 formation)
stored Grazzanise 1.11.2004; July 2013 preserved in shelter at Grazzanise noted; March 2016 noted; March 2023 noted preserved at Gioia del Colle AB

copyright © David Cenciotti

Claim of fame: on March 25, 2004 did the world F-104 flight hours record with 2.50 hours without air refuelling!