F-104G 25+60 JG 71 "R" leading the formation take-off with pylon tanks only

F-104G, construction number 683D-9006, company model 683-10-19, built by SABCA
the first fifteen aircraft (cn 9001-9015) were assembled from components originally supplied directly by Lockheed
manufactured by West Group (ARGE-West); assembly start at SABCA-Gosselies, Belgium on May 3, 1962; first factory flight July 17, 1962
acceptance date by BABwSABCA not known; November 15, 1962 test flight coded with construction number "9006"
total of 5 factory test flights and 9 military test flights with 22 flight hours
military test flights at Gosselies: 25.7.1962, 25.7.1962, 28.7.1962, 8.12.1962, 13.12.1962, 22.1.1963, 6.2.1963; 26.2.1963 and 28.2.1963 coded KH+106 by test pilot Kpt. Tonet (delivery)
KH+106 delivered in AWX (All Weather Fighter) version under project "Green Hill" (for JG 71)
DA+252 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date on March 27, 1963 in Silver-finish colors
JA+242 JG 71 "Richthofen" at Wittmund AB on August 14, 1963; October 1964 camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"
to Messerschmitt for IRAN and upgrade modification on March 29, 1965
25+60 IRAN at SABCA on April 18, 1969 with 787 flight hours, back to JG 71 on July 2, 1969
crashed April 21, 1970 at RAF Wildenrath during emergency landing after engine flame out due to fuel starvation, aircraft damaged the net-barrier and was destroyed, 
pilot ejected safely over the runway; written off; struck off charge order (AVA) August 24, 1970.

Project "Green Hill": 42 AWX airplanes were delivered to the Fighter Wing 71 (Jagdgeschwader 71) at Wittmund.

copyright © Hans Koning