F-104G KE+307 with Messerschmitt at Manching AB 1964 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 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 Lockheed-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 weapon delivery (pop-up) at Gila Bend Range Nr.1, Arizona after loosing control of the aircraft during the roll-in for a Rocket delivery (CFIT) pilot ejected too late and was killed, written off; 1.342 flight hours; 418 TFTS, GAF FWS (Fighter Weapons School). 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. copyright © Frank Matthes