F-104G "12745" (65-12745) 69th TFTS (GAF) of 58th Tactical Training Wing (TTW) at Luke AFB 1979 F-104G, construction number 683D-7001, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 65-12745, built by Messerschmitt manufactured by ARGE-Süd (South Group) with parts from Lockheed; assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 0 starting June 23, 1961 first flight October 5, 1961 coded KE+301 flown by Messerschmitt chief test pilot James L. Jester on October 16, 1961 official public handover of the F-104 "Starfighter" to the Federal German Defense Minister Franz-Josef Strauss project "42" as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed and long range tanks as loose parts acceptance date March 20, 1962 by BABwMTT in Silver-finish colors with 7:15 flight hours DA+250 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date on March 22, 1962; project "Balance" was not implemented BF+250 instructional airframe (GIA) at TSLw 1 on December 7, 1962; planned for project "Columbus III" on January 26, 1965 according project "Columbus III" airlifted on February 23, 1965 to Lockheed-Burbank; reassembled and test flight at Lockheed-Palmdaleoperated in USAF Silver-finish colors at Luke AFB by the 4510th CCTW coded 12745 (German shadow serial number 2133, never used for registration) 2.448 flight hours in May 1977; flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983 struck off charge order (AVA) July 21, 1983; 1983 sold to the USAF with 3.128 flight hours with "Phase II" lot
MAP (Military Assistance Program) to ROCAF 1983 under project "Ali Shan No.8"; delivered by sea container and arrived at 1st Depot at Pingtung South AB for reassembly July 21, 1983 delivered to 48 TFS of 499 TFW at CCK (Ching Chuan Kang) AB coded "4388"; in 1986 41 TFS of 499 TFW moved to Hsinshu AB; in 1989 to 8 TFS of 427 TFW at CCK AB withdrawn from use and stored at CCK AB in 1993; scrapped in 1999. Project "42": to equip the JaboG 31 (FBW 31) at Norvenich AB. 42 aircraft (hence the name of the project!) were planned of the original delivery. copyright © Peitzmeier archive
