Republic of China Air Force F-104 serial numbers

 

The ROCAF was the second Air Force to convert to the F-104 Starfighter, just after the USAF. Indeed, the F-104 is the longest serving combat aircraft in the ROCAF history. Throughout almost forty years, the ROCAF operated several models of the F-104, having acquired all of them, new and used ones, under the code name Project “Ali Shan” (Ali Mountain).

 

This list is based on construction numbers

 

New delivered aircraft:

 

F-104G from Lockheed: 42

During 1963 to 1965, under Projects “Ali Shan No.2, Ali Shan No.4, and Ali Shan No.5”, 3 Wing received 69 F-104G and 9 TF-104G to equip 7th Squadron, 8th Squadron and 28th Squadron. After 10 years of service, the survivors were regrouped into two squadrons the 7th Squadron and 28th Squadron. 8th TFS disbanded 1975. In August 1963 12th Squadron (SMS) received RF-104G under Project “Ali Shan No.3”.

 

4004: 61-2604 coded 4359, crashed June 26, 1983

4007: 61-2607 coded 4360, crashed May 15, 1971

4008: 61-2608 coded 4361, crashed February 11, 1976

4043: 62-12241 coded 5626 (RF-104G), crashed March 20, 1969

4044: 62-12242 coded 5628 (RF-104G), coded 4402 in September 1983, crashed December 1, 1986

4046: 62-12243 coded 5630 (RF-104G), crashed December 16, 1980

4047: 62-12244 coded 5632 (RF-104G), coded 4401 in September 1983, crashed March 28, 1989

4048: 62-12245 coded 5634 (RF-104G), crashed July 4, 1980

4049: 62-12246 coded 5636 (RF-104G), crashed March 2, 1977

4050: 62-12247 coded 4306, ground loss 1996

4051: 62-12248 coded 5638 (RF-104G), crashed May 2, 1977

4052: 62-12249 coded 5640 (RF-104G), crashed March 2, 1977

4054: 62-12250 coded 4301, preserved gate guard CCK AB, first delivered Taiwanese F-104G

4055: 62-12251 coded 4302, crashed May 2, 1970

4056: 62-12252 coded 4303, scrapped in the 90s

4057: 62-12253 coded 4307, crashed August 29, 1976

4059: 62-12254 coded 4304, withdrawn from use; scrapped in the 2000s

4060: 62-12255 coded 4305, crashed April 18, 1974

4061: 62-12256 coded 4308, scrapped in the 90s

4062: 62-12257 coded 4317, scrapped in 1999

4063: 62-12258 coded 4309, likely scrapped

4064: 62-12259 coded 4318, crashed April 25, 1979

4065: 62-12260 coded 4310, crashed December 4, 1967

4066: 62-12261 coded 4319, crashed December 9, 1989

4067: 62-12214 coded 4311, crashed August 29, 1975

4068: 62-12215 coded 4312, crashed June 1, 1992

4069: 62-12216 coded 4313, crashed June 25, 1974

4070: 62-12217 coded 4314, scrapped in 1999

4071: 62-12218 coded 4315, crashed September 16, 1968

4072: 62-12219 coded 4316, crashed May 5, 1966

4073: 62-12220 coded 4320, crashed December 7, 1983

4074: 62-12221 coded 4321, crashed November 14, 1969

4075: 62-12222 coded 4322, crashed July 17, 1981

4076: 62-12223 coded 4323, crashed October 9, 1980

4077: 62-12224 coded 4324, written off April 28, 1966

4078: 62-12225 coded 4325, crashed April 19, 1967

4079: 62-12226 coded 4326 crashed on July 20, 1965 after mid air collision with 4328

4080: 62-12227 coded 4327, crashed November 24, 1965

4081: 62-12228 coded 4328, crashed July 20, 1965 after mid air collision with 4326

4082: 62-12229 coded 4329, crashed October 18, 1965

4083: 62-12230 coded 4330, crashed on May 24, 1966

4084: 62-12231 coded 4331, crashed December 4, 1968

 

4003, 4006 Not delivered: crashed prior delivery operated by USAF for foreign pilot training (MAP)

 

TF-104G from Lockheed: 9

5502: 61-3026 coded 4149; withdrawn from use with over 6000 flight hours, scrapped

5506: 61-3030 coded 4147; gate guard park at CCK AFB

5507: 62-12262 coded 4141; written off

5510: 62-12265 coded 4142; crashed June 12, 1973

5511: 62-12266 coded 4148; crashed August 30, 1972

5513: 62-12268 coded 4143; crashed December 25, 1967

5514: 62-12269 coded 4144; crashed December 20, 1973

5515: 62-12270 coded 4145; crashed June 8, 1970

5516: 62-12271 coded 4146; crashed May 25, 1982

 

F-104G from Canadair: 27

6037: 62-12338 coded 4332; no information

6080: 63-12728 coded 4333; crashed on November 20, 1971

6105: 64-17760 coded 4334; crashed July 25, 1976

6106: 64-17761 coded 4335; crashed August 25, 1967

6107: 64-17762 coded 4336; crashed September 18, 1975

6108: 64-17763 coded 4337; 1990 damaged during a hard landing, lateron scrapped

6109: 64-17764 coded 4342; crashed July 24, 1984

6110: 64-17765 coded 4338; crashed August 11, 1971

6111: 64-17766 coded 4339; crashed November 4, 1976

6112: 64-17767 coded 4340; crashed December 17, 1990

6113: 64-17768 coded 4341; crashed July 19, 1980

6114: 64-17769 coded 4343; crashed February 17, 1981

6115: 64-17770 coded 4344; J-6 (MiG-19) kill on January 13, 1967 with AIM-9B; displayed at ROCAF Museum at Kangshan AB

6116: 64-17771 coded 4345; crashed March 16, 1971

6117: 64-17772 coded 4346; crashed November 11, 1967

6118: 64-17773 coded 4347; J-6 (MiG-19) kill on January 13, 1967 with AIM-9B; crashed April 29, 1971

6119: 64-17774 coded 4348; crashed November 11, 1967

6120: 64-17775 coded 4349; withdrawn from use; scrapped

6121: 64-17776 coded 4350; crashed November 11, 1982

6122: 64-17777 coded 4351; crashed June 16, 1973

6123: 64-17778 coded 4352; crashed 1971 during landing

6124: 64-17779 coded 4353; crashed January 13, 1967

6131: 64-17786 coded 4358; crashed July 25, 1972

6137: 64-17792 coded 4354; withdrawn from use after accident on July 21, 1975

6138: 64-17793 coded 4355; crashed October 20, 1974

6139: 64-17794 coded 4356; crashed on March 30, 1982

6140: 64-17795 coded 4357; crashed on May 9, 1969

 

Used aircraft:

 

F-104A ex USAF: Total 44

The F-104A has played a prominent role within the Taiwanese Air Force. In total 44 F-104A Starfighters have been used by the Taiwanese Air Force. The F-104A has served within the Taiwanese Air Force in 2 episodes.

First episode

After the Taiwanese AF expressed their interest in the F-104 coded as a true interceptor to answer the Chinese mainland threat they managed to get coded aside some five F-104B aircraft also 22 F-104A Starfighters from the USAF in 1960 under Project “Ali Shan No.1”.

All these aircraft were handed over to the CCK (Ching Chuan Kang) based 8th TFS operating under 3 TFW (3 Air Group). The aircraft, all ex-USAF ADC, received serials from 4101 till 4222.

First batch of two F-104Bs arrived in Taiwan on May 17, 1960 and officially delivered to 8th Squadron of 3 Wing at CCK AB.

Reception ceremony of the F-104 in CCK AB was on May 26, 1960. Only two F-104B, coded 4101 and 4102 were there.

The aircraft have served the Taiwanese Air Force until 1966 when all surviving Starfighters (in total six F-104A's have been lost in accidents) were transferred back to the USA after being replaced by the more the modern F-104G version.

Survivors of these F-104A/B were shipped from the 3 Wing back to USA and transferred to Pakistan and Jordan in 1967.

Second episode

To fill up the gap within the interception capacity in 1970, Taiwan decided to order again a number of F-104A and B fighter aircraft from the Americans. All (again 22) F-104 had been fully modified to the latest standards including a more powerful GE J79-19 engine and received a Taiwanese camouflage pattern. All 22 aircraft were delivered to the Hsinchu based 41st TFS operating under 2 TFW (11 Air Group).

In 1974 the surviving aircraft were transferred to the CCK based 8th TFS of 3 TFW (3 Air Group) and so, the career of the F-104A once started but also ended with the 8th TFS at CCK AB. Mid 80s the aircraft were painted light grey while receiving IRAN (Inspect Repair as Necessary). The F-104A operations ended officially on March 3, 1988 with a big ceremony surrounding aircraft "4255" at CCK AFB.

 

F-104A ex USAF (1st batch 1960): 22

1055: 56-0767 coded 4209; back to USA

1057: 56-0769 coded 4208; crashed December 18, 1963

1062: 56-0774 coded 4210; back to USA

1063: 56-0775 coded 4211; back to USA

1065: 56-0777 coded as 4213

1066: 56-0778 coded as 4214

1068: 56-0780 coded as 4212

1074: 56-0786 coded as 4215

1075: 56-0787 coded as 4216

1076: 56-0788 coded as 4217

1077: 56-0789 coded as 4218

1085: 56-0797 coded as 4220

1086: 56-0798 coded as 4219

1087: 56-0799 coded as 4221

1088: 56-0800 coded as 4222

1116: 56-0828 coded as 4202

1126: 56-0838 coded as 4207

1127: 56-0839 coded as 4201

1130: 56-0842 coded as 4205

1131: 56-0843 coded as 4206

1133: 56-0845 coded as 4204

1138: 56-0850 coded as 4203

 

F-104A ex USAF (2nd batch 1970) with GE J79-19 engine: 22

1096: 56-0808 coded as 4249

1104: 56-0816 coded as 4250

1110: 56-0822 coded as 4251

1111: 56-0823 coded as 4241

1115: 56-0827 coded as 4242

1117: 56-0829 coded as 4261

1119: 56-0831 coded as 4252

1121: 56-0833 coded as 4253

1132: 56-0844 coded as 4243

1134: 56-0846 coded as 4254, display Taipei, Chiang Kai Shek International

1140: 56-0852 coded as 4262

1142: 56-0854 coded as 4244

1146: 56-0858 coded as 4245

1149: 56-0861 coded as 4246

1153. 56-0865 coded as 4255

1154: 56-0866 coded as 4247

1155: 56-0867 coded as 4256

1158: 56-0870 coded as 4257

1164: 56-0876 coded as 4258

1166: 56-0878 coded as 4259

1168: 56-0880 coded as 4248

1170: 56-0882 coded as 4260

 

F-104B ex USAF: 8

Since 1960 eight F-104B and six F-104D Starfighters have been used by the Taiwanese Air Force of which the remaining aircraft flew their operational missions well into the eighties. lt all started in 1960 when the 8th TFS of the 3rd TFW (3 Air Group) received five F-104B two-seat Starfighters coded as training aircraft together with the received 22 single seat F-104A Starfighters.

This project was called “Ali Mountain No.1”. The Starfighters stayed in use until 1966 when 3 surviving F-104B were given back to the USAF after being replaced by the more modern TF-104G version.

Two F-104B had been lost in accidents during the 7 years of operation at CCK AB.

To fill up the gap within the interception capacity in 1970, Taiwan decided to ask again for a number of F-104A interceptors. Under project “Ali Mountain No.6”, with these F-104A's also two F-104B training aircraft were received.

When Taiwan lost one of these two F-104B aircraft they received a replacement aircraft in 1972. All aircraft stayed in service until their retirement in 1988. The aircraft have operated at Hsinchu based 41st TFS under 2nd TFW (11 Air Group) until 1974 when they moved together with all remaining F-104A aircraft to the 8th TFS at CCK, under the 3rd TFW (3 Air Group).

 

1st batch 1960: 5

5006: 57-1294 coded as 4101, to Jordan as 900

5008: 57-1296 coded as 4105, to Jordan as 901

5010: 57-1298 coded as 4103, to Jordan as 902

5011: 57-1299 coded as 4104, crashed 03 Mar 1962

5012: 57-1300 coded as 4102, crashed 05 Mar 1961


Reception ceremony of F-104 at CCK AFB on May 26, 1960. Only two F-104B coded 4101 and 4102 were there.

 

2nd batch 1970: 3

5003: 56-3722 coded as 4123, scrapped

5004: 56-3723 coded as 4121, w/o 27Jun1984

5022: 57-1310 coded as 4122, w/o 08May1971

 

[All these 2nd bath aircraft had the more powerful GE J79-19 engine which was part of the USAF Cuban crisis plan to improve the F-1 04A/B interceptor capability in late 60s.]  

 

F-104D ex USAF: 6

In 1975 Taiwan received, via project “Ali Mountain No.7”, six F-104D aircraft to increase their training capacity.

These D trainers have been used until their official retire ceremony on November 15th, 1988 and only have been operated by the CCK based 8th TFS under the 3rd TFW (3 Air Group).

Both second batch F-104B and the F-104D received the traditional 1970s Taiwanese camouflage scheme on arrival, which was changed to light grey mid 80s while receiving IRAN (Inspect and Repair coded as Necessary).

 

5027: 57-1315 coded as 4161, scrapped

5028: 57-1316 coded as 4162, scrapped

5030: 57-1318 coded as 4163, w/o 19Jan1979

5031: 57-1319 coded as 4164

5033: 57-1321 coded as 4165, w/o 13Jun1980

5038: 57-1326 coded as 4166, preserved Kangshan museum

 

 

F-104J ex JASDF: 31 (21 operational plus 1 instructional airframe, 7 for spare part use, 2 missing information)

 

Under Project “Ali Shan No.9” the 7th Sqn and 28th Sqn of 3rd Wing received 31 F-104Js and 6 F-104DJs (all ex-JASDF) coded as attrition replacements. The first batch of 17 F-104Js were delivered in July 1987.

 

3003: 26-8508 coded as 4509

3005: 26-8502 coded as 4518

3006: 26-8503 coded as 4510, seen coded 46-8577, or tail of 577

3009: 36-8509 coded as 4512

3014: 36-8514 coded as 4513

3028: 36-8528 coded as 4502

3031: 36-8531 coded as 4503

3041: 36-8541 coded as 4521

3054: 36-8554 coded as 4504

3065: 36-8565 coded as 4506, fire fighting practice at Hualien AFB, Jiashan Cave

3069: 46-8569 coded as 4507

3070: 46-8570 coded as 4508

3082: 46-8582 coded as 4511

3096: 46-8596 coded as 4522

3111: 46-8611 coded as 4505

3112: 46-8612 coded as 4501

3116: 46-8616 coded as 4514

3118: 46-8618 coded as 4515

3119: 46-8619 coded as 4516

3127: 46-8627 coded as 4517

3145: 46-8645 coded as 4519


4520: no serial number information, lost May 14, 1987 on delivery flight, engine stalled. Pilot ejected

 

36-8525: missing information

36-8555: missing information

 

3026: 36-8526 for spare parts, coded as "4526" preserved Tainan near Nashua Reservoir, they painted it into Taiwanese colors

3047: 36-8547 for spare parts, coded as "4547" instructional at Chung Cheng Institute of Science & Technology

3056: 36-8556 for spare parts

3076: 46-8576 for spare parts

3077: 46-8577 for spare parts, see 4510, 46-8577 is wrong one because 577 was not in active use in the ROCAF

3080: 46-8580 for spare parts

3114: 46-8614 for spare parts

3134: 46-8634 for spare parts

 

F-104DJ ex JASDF: 6 (5 operational and 1 for spares)

5403: 26-5003 coded as 4591

5404: 26-5004 coded as 4592

5406: 26-5006 coded as 4593

5416: 36-5016 coded as 4594

5417: 36-5017 coded as 4595

 

5412: 36-5012 for spare parts

 

F-104G ex GAF (from Luke AFB): 39

 

Since 1984, under Project “Ali Shan No.8” the 41st Sqn, 42nd Sqn and 48 Sqn of 2nd Wing received 39 F-104G and 27 TF-104G, all of them ex-Luftwaffe (German Air Force).

 

2015: 63-13234 coded as 4363, scrapped

2016: 63-13235 coded as 4364, withdrawn from use

2021: 63-13238 coded as 4365, modified RF-104G LOROP "Stargazer", withdrawn from use

2023: 63-13240 coded as 4366, scrapped

2025: 63-13242 coded as 4367, preserved

2026: 63-13243 coded as 4368, crashed March 24, 1990

2027: 63-13244 coded as 4369, crashed October 12, 1991

2028: 63-13245 coded as 4370, crashed October 3, 1991

2033: 63-13249 coded as 4371, modified to RF-104G, preserved

2035: 63-13251 coded as 4372, scrapped

2036: 63-13252 coded as 4373, destroyed August 19, 1988

2037: 63-13253 coded as 4374, crashed February 28, 1987

2038: 63-13254 coded as 4375 (modified to RF-104G), Gate Guard at Hualian AB (RCYU)

2039: 63-13255 coded as 4376, scrapped 1995

2041: 63-13257 coded as 4377, scrapped 1995

2069: 67-14887 coded as 4396

2076: 63-13260 coded as 4378 (modified to RF-104G)

2086: 63-13262 coded as 4379

2092: 63-13264 coded as 4380

2093: 63-13265 coded as 4381

2095: 63-13266 coded as 4382

7001: 65-12745 coded as 4388

7015: 67-14889 coded as 4397 (modified to RF-104G LOROP "Stargazer")

7039: 65-12748 coded as 4390

7098: 65-12747 coded as 4389

7133: 67-14885 coded as 4395

7177: 66-13526 coded as 4394

8002: 63-13269 coded as 4383, withdrawn from use August 6, 1996

8008: 63-13272 coded as 4384, later coded as 5663 (modified RF-104G), crashed May 31, 1988

8009: 63-13273 coded as 4385, crashed March 24, 1990

8056: 63-13229 coded as 436, scrapped 1995

8067: 65-12750 coded as 4391 (modified to RF-104G), crashed July 8, 1991

8068: 65-12751 coded as 4392, crashed May 31, 1988

8071: 65-12753 coded as 4393, preserved Hsinchu AB, 2010

8183: 63-13690 coded as 4386 (modified to RF-104G LOROP "Stargazer"), crashed September 11, 1987

8188: 63-13691 coded as 4387, crashed May 16, 1990

8192: 67-14892 coded as 4399, later coded as 5664 (modified RF-104G), crashed March 4, 1993

8204: 67-14890 coded as 4398 (modified to RF-104G LOROP "Stargazer"), displayed at Hsinchu City, 2009

8230: 67-22517 coded as 4400 (modified to RF-104G LOROP "Stargazer"), displayed in Hsihu City, Changhua 2011

 

TF-104G ex GAF (Luke AFB): 27

5744: 61-3073 coded as 4171, preserved as gate guard Hsinchu AB

5745: 61-3074 coded as 4172, withdrawn from use

5746: 61-3075 coded as 4173, scrapped 1997

5747: 61-3076 coded as 4174

5749: 61-3078 coded as 4175

5750: 61-3079 coded as 4176

5751: 61-3080 coded as 4177

5753: 61-3082 coded as 4178

5754: 61-3083 coded as 4179

5755: 61-3084 coded as 4180

5756: 63-8452 coded as 4181

5758: 63-8454 coded as 4182

5759: 63-8455 coded as 4183

5760: 63-8456 coded as 4184

5761: 63-8457 coded as 4185

5762: 63-8458 coded as 4186

5764: 63-8460 coded as 4187

5765: 63-8461 coded as 4188

5766: 63-8462 coded as 4189

5768: 63-8463 coded as 4190

5770: 63-8464 coded as 4191

5771: 63-8465 coded as 4192

5775: 63-8467 coded as 4193

5777: 63-8468 coded as 4194

5933: 66-13622 coded as 4195

5936: 66-13625 coded as 4196

5942: 66-13631 coded as 4197

 

F-104G ex RDAF: 15

 

Since 1988, 3 Wing took delivery of Danish F-104Gs under Project “Ali Shan No.10”.

 

6039: 62-12340 coded as 4411, ex R-340

6041: 62-12342 coded as 4412, ex R-342

6044: 62-12345 coded as 4413, ex R-345

6046: 62-12347 coded as 4414, ex R-347

6047: 62-12348 coded as 4415, ex R-348

6048: 62-12349 coded as 4416, ex R-349

6051: 62-12699 coded as 4420, ex R-699

6054: 62-12702 coded as 4421, ex R-702

6055: 62-12703 coded as 4422, ex R-703

6059: 62-12707 coded as 4423, ex R-707

6094: 63-13645 coded as 4417, ex R-645

6095: 63-13646 coded as 4418, ex R-646

6096: 63-13647 coded as 4419, ex R-647

6099: 64-17754 coded as 4424, ex R-754

6100: 64-17755 coded as 4425, ex R-755

 

TF-104G ex RDAF: 3

5526: 63-12682 coded as 4151, ex RDAF RT-682

5527: 63-12683 coded as 4152, ex RDAF RT-683

5528: 63-12684 coded as 4153, ex RDAF RT-684

 

For spare parts only:

 

F-104G ex BAF: 13

9018, 9022, 9027, 9087, 9091, 9100, 9102, 9105, 9107, 9113, 9121, 9126, 9138

 

(9139 not to Taiwan, preserved in USA)

(9108 FX65 not to Taiwan, preserved in USA)

 

TF-104G ex BAF: 9

5101, 5103, 5104, 5107, 5108, 5109

 

5786: 64-15104

5787: 64-15105

5788: 64-15106

 

Total: 279

New: 78

F-104G: 69

TF-104G: 9

 

Used: 201 (179 (+ 22))

F-104A: 44

F-104B: 8

F-104D: 6

F-104G (GAF/USAF): 39

TF-104G (GAF/USAF): 27

F-104G (RDAF): 15

TF-104G (RDAF): 3

F-104J (JASDF): 31

F-104DJ (JASDF): 6

 

Used for spare parts:

F-104G (BAF): 13

TF-104G (BAF): 9

 

Given information is based on best available references, any proven correction is welcome!

 

compiled by:

Hubert Peitzmeier

Gary Binnie

Harry Prins

Clarence Fu

 

References:

http://www.starfighters.nl/

http://www.i-f-s.nl/index87.htm

http://www.ejection-history.org.uk/Country-By-Country/Taiwan.htm

http://www.milfly.dk/pdf/f104uk.pdf

world wide web

International F104 Society "Zipper" magazines 56 and 57

916 Starfighter book

ROCAF book by Clarence Fu

Bowman book

F-40 books

http://tw.myblog.yahoo.com/jw!7KNE2guYABHnqxPi8ul7hw--/article?mid=51&pk=F-104DJ

 

updated: April 18, 2011