F-104G DA+115 (Lockheed delivery code) at Manching AB, October 1961

F-104G, construction number 683-2018, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13236, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 2
first flight 1961 at Lockheed-Palmdale, flight tests flown with register number "118" only; accepted by BABwLockheed in 1961 in Silver finish colors
DA+115 airlifted to Messerschmitt-Manching on October 10, 1961 with 65 flight hours
project "42" as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed and long range tanks as loose parts
reassembled at Messerschmitt and test flight on November 21, 1961; acceptance date March 22, 1962 by BABwMTT
DA+115 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on March 28, 1962; planned for project "Columbus" on November 15, 1962; to Messerschmitt for disassembly on March 29, 1963
according project "Columbus" airlifted in a "Flying Tiger Line" CL-44D airfreighter coded BG+133 on May 10, 1963 to the USA
reassembled and modified to the latest modification level at Lockheed-Palmdale, USA
 at Luke AFB operated by the 4510th CCTW (Combat Crew Training Wing) in USAF Silver-finish colors coded 13236
crashed May 13, 1965 with the 4518th CCTS during practice weapons delivery at Gila Bend Range, Arizona,
aircraft had ground contact during recovery after a very steep approach angle during a rocket delivery pass (CFIT)
USAF IP was killed; 305 flight hours; 4518 CCTS of 4510 CCTW; written off; struck off charge order (AVA) May 13, 1965.

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 © Frank Matthes