F-104G YA+117 ErpSt 61 (Test Unit 61) at Manching AB 1966

F-104G, construction number 683D-7021, company model 683-10-19, built by Messerschmitt
manufactured by South Group (ARGE-Süd); assembly by Messerschmitt-Manching starting April 9, 1962 with parts from Lockheed
assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 1; first flight September 25, 1962 coded KE+321
project "Replace" with modification as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed, and long range tanks as loose parts
acceptance date February 12, 1963 by BABwMTT
DA+117 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on February 27, 1963 in Silver-finish colors
aircraft heavily damaged on October 16, 1963 after barrier engagement on take-off on a test flight with maximum load; program was called "Sneaky-Programs" (program to evaluate tactical profiles)
YA+117 ErpSt 61 at Manching AB on April 8, 1964; camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196" in June 1966
21+52 withdrawn from use at LwSchleuse 11 on January 10, 1986 with 1.374 flight hours; struck off charge order (AVA) March 18, 1984
stored Bayrisches Armeemuseum Ingolstadt on June 26, 1987; stored in December 2007 last noted; May 2, 2011 transport to JG 74 Neuburg for static display
first public display on July 9, 2011 at "Tag der offenen Tür" (Open House) celebrating "50 Jahre Jagdgeschwader 74"
display in Air Base Museum (Wehrgeschichtliche Sammlung of TaktLwG 74) at Neuburg AB; November 2022 last noted.
(on loan from Bayerisches Armeemuseum, Ingolstadt)

Project "Replace": 21 aircrafts (partly with and partly without test flights) were stored with a long-term preservation for the purpose of a later upgrade and transfer to the BABwMTT for storage at Manching AB. 
19 aircraft were later upgraded when enough retrofit kits were available.

Taktische Luftwaffengeschwader 74 (TaktLwG 74), former Jagdgeschwader 74 (JG 74) until September 30, 2013

copyright © Frank Matthes