F-104G "13276" (63-13276) posing for a typical class photo on the Luke ramp 1970

F-104G, construction number 683D-9003, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13276, built by SABCA
the first fifteen aircraft (cn 9001-9015) were assembled from components originally supplied directly by Lockheed
manufactured by West Group (ARGE-West) in Fighterbomber version
assembly start at SABCA-Gosselies on March 8, 1962 with components originally supplied directly by Lockheed and several European factories
first flight May 30, 1962 coded with construction number "9003"; total of 2 factory test flights and 4 military test flights with 6 flight hours
military test flights at Gosselies: 1.6.1962, 4.6 1962, 4.6 1962 and 5.6.1962 coded KH+103 by test pilot Kpt. Tonet (delivery)
KH+103 acceptance date by BABwSABCA on June 7, 1962 in USAF Silver-finish colors
DA+120 delivered to JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB on June 7, 1962
DR+120 to LPR 1 for upgrade project "Balance" on March 19, 1963
planned for project "Columbus" November 15, 1962; according project "Columbus" airlifted to Lockheed-Burbank, CA, USA coded BG+140 on June 18, 1963
modifications by Lockheed California at Palmdale and delivered to the USAF on June 27, 1964
 operated by the 4510th CCTW at Luke AFB (German shadow serial number 2558) in USAF Silver-finish colors coded 13276
IRAN by Lockheed California at Palmdale on June 9, 1970
crashed August 29, 1973 20 NM south east of Ajo, Arizona, after midair collision with 65-12754 (construction number 8077) during rejoin after
an Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) mission; both pilots were killed
pilot of 276 was killed due to parachute malfunction after a successful bail-out, only partial parachute opening due to deficient maintenance on the container
1.896 flight hours; 418 TFTS (FWS); written off.

Project "Balance": upgrade 19 F-104G with retrofit kits at LPR 1 at Erding AB and received DR+xxx codes with their old three-digit squadron numbers.
After the upgrade, these aircrafts either returned to their squadrons or directly to Manching for disassembly for the Columbus program.

copyright © Otto Zenker