The fate of the German Starfighter

 

 

 
F-104F
F-104G
TF-104G
Total
 
Greece (Defense Assistance)  
58
23
81
[1]
Turkey (Defense Assistance)  
165
36
201
[2]
ROCAF (sold to USAF)  
39
27
66
 
(ROCAF Phase I lot)  
(13)
(10)
(23)
 
(ROCAF Phase II lot)  
(9)
(5)
(14)
 
(ROCAF Phase III lot)  
(17)
(12)
(29)
 
NASA  
1
2
3
 
AMI  
---
6
6
 
RNoAF  
---
2
2
 
spare parts (ETG)  
81
2
83
 
crashed (written off) 11
247
34
292
 
BDRT: Battle Damage Repair Training 2
62
3
67
 
preserved, instructional, spares 17
96
2
115
 
Total 30
749
137
916
 
remarks:
[1] including 3 for spare parts; 17 were RF-104G
[2] including 12 for spare parts
During 30 years of flying there were 1.975.646 hours accumulated. The average per aircraft was 2.157 flight hours.
A total of 292 F-104 were lost in accidents, with the tragic death of 116 pilots.
That accounts for one loss per 6.630 flying hours, which is actually a normal value according to international standards.
 
compiled by: Hubert Peitzmeier
update: @ December 28, 2020