Photo of F-104G 23+13: picture wanted coded KE+496, VB+239 or 23+13

F-104G 23+13 (no photo)

F-104G, construction number 683D-7196, company model 683-10-19, built by Messerschmitt (MTT)
manufactured by South Group (ARGE-Süd); assembly by Messerschmitt-Manching starting October 27, 1964
assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 8; first flight February 1, 1965 coded KE+496
acceptance date by BABwMTT July 30, 1965; modification level "Prince" as Fighterbomber (for MFG 2)
with "AS.30" anti-ship missile delivery system, Sidewinder missile launch rails and long range tanks
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"
VB+239 MFG 2 at Eggebek AB delivery date on August 12, 1965
23+13 Navy camouflage scheme "Norm 76" according tech order "TA-196-3" in 1969
heavily damaged on August 19, 1971 at Eggebek AB; aircraft caught fire after a full tip tank was
accidentally jettisoned (auto-drop system) during a maintenance repair of a malfunctioning tip tank fuel indication
aircraft was damaged beyond repair (DBR); written off; struck off charge order (AVA) December 15, 1971.

On August 19, 1971 a faulty fuel gauge of the left tip tank was found during the pre-flight inspection. 
After dismantling the tank, the outboard power supply was switched on and the right tip tank was blown off. 
Leaking fuel from the damaged tank caused a fire that spread to the front fuselage of the aircraft due to unfavorable wind conditions. 
The aircraft was damaged beyond economical repair and was scrapped.
The fault was that the safety pin was not set, and so the so-called "buddy switch" ("Kumplichkeitsschalter") caused the remaining tank 
to be blown off when electricity was applied to the aircraft.

Project "Prince": 25 Fighterbomber for the 2. Staffel (Squadron) of MFG 2 at Eggebek with built-in Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun, 
AS.30 "Kormoran" anti-ship missile delivery wiring system, long-distance tanks and Sidewinder launchers as loose equipment.

copyright © Karl Ascherl