F-104G DA+102 during "Joint Test Force" (JTF) operation at Edwards AFB in 1962 with Eldon (Ed) W. Brown, Jr. an experimental test pilot for Lockheed

F-104G, construction number 683-2002, company model 683-10-19, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); first flight around November 15, 1960 with register number "102" in Fighterbomber version
acceptance date in 1960 by BABwLockheed in Silver-finish colors
coded DA+102 with "Joint Test Force" for "Category I" operation at Palmdale AP testing basic systems (structure and aerodynamics) in 1961
modified for ZELL (Zero-Length Launch) program at Edwards AFB in 1962; 8 ZELL take-offs at Edwards in 1963; tests finished on July 22, 1964
stored at Palmdale with 202 flight hours; shipped to VFW-Lemwerder, Germany on July 28, 1965 for reassembly and modifications
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196" in 1966; coded DB+127 accepted on September 14, 1965 by BABwVFW
JaboG 32 at Lechfeld AB delivery date on February 24, 1966 for ZELL trials; total of 7 ZELL trial flights at Lechfeld AB from May 4, until July 12, 1966
program was canceled due to change of the NATO strategy
20+02 remodified at Messerschmitt; to ErpSt 61 at Manching AB on April 25, 1968; JaboG 32 at Lechfeld AB on January 4, 1971
Greenham Common IAT 1979 static June 21, 1979; Tactical Air Meet (TAM) at Ramstein AB 20.June till 3.July 1980
stored at LwSchleuse 11 on August 6, 1981 with 2.245 flight hours; struck off charge order (AVA) October 2, 1984
on pole LwUGrpKdo Süd Karlsruhe on April 2, 1985 with training aid code "C032"; LwWerft 13 Erding on March 8, 1995 for restoration and modification as ZELL aircraft
preserved coded "DB+127" at Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr Flugplatz Berlin-Gatow (Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr) in ZELL launch configuration on September 12, 1995
May 2023 last noted.

Claim of fame: Eldon (Ed) W. Brown, Jr. an experimental test pilot with Lockheed flew his 1000 hour on F-104s on May 29, 1962 with DA+102

The Museum on the Berlin-Gatow airfield is an autonomous branch of the "Bundeswehr Museum of Military History".
In 2011 the "Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr" (Air Force Museum of the Bundeswehr) was renamed as an autonomous branch of the "Militärhistorisches Museum der Bundeswehr" (Bundeswehr Museum of Military History).

copyright © Devon Brown