F-104G 20+03 Jagdbombergeschwader 31 (JaboG 31) Norvenich AB in June 1974

F-104G, construction number 683-2003, company model 683-10-19, built by Lockheed
manufactured by Group USA (ARGE-USA); assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 1; first flight December 6, 1960 at Lockheed-Palmdale; flight tests flown with register number "103" only
coded DA+103 with "Joint Test Force" at Palmdale AP for "Category I" inertial reference system (Litton LN-3) tests with 234 flight hours
August 14, 1962 airlifted to Manching AB; coded KE+103 for Messerschmitt test flight in Silver-finish colors
project "Replace" with modification as Fighterbomber with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed and long range tanks as loose parts; acceptance date March 8, 1963 by BABwMTT
DA+102 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date March 11, 1963
January 7, 1964-March 31, 1964 Kdo "Sardinien" for shooting exercises (Schießausbildung) at Capo Frasca Bombing Range, Sardinia
heavy damaged on July 6, 1965 after landing at Decimomannu AB, aircraft was marchaled off the concret and sunk into the gras damaging the right landing gear
to Messerschmitt for a major repair and upgrading on November 30, 1965; camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196" in July 1966
repaired by Messerschmitt and back to JaboG 31 "B" on March 8, 1967
20+03 to SABCA for IRAN on April 30, 1970, back to JaboG 31 on July 1, 1970
crashed on June 30, 1976 during the approach to Norvenich AB due to blocked aircraft steering control after loss of one hydraulic system and following ground contact; the pilot was killed; written off
struck off charge order (AVA) April 26, 1977.

Project "Replace": 21 aircrafts (partly with and partly without test flights) were stored with a long-term preservation for the purpose of a later upgrade and transfer to the BABwMTT for storage at Manching AB.
19 aircraft were later upgraded when enough retrofit kits were available.

copyright © Arnold Booy