"FX-1" the first Belgian Air Force Starfighter at SABCA in December 1961, construction number 9001 (later to Germany)

F-104G, construction number 9001, US serial number 63-13274, built by Lockheed, reassembled by SABCA

the first F-104G serial 9001 was build and tested by Lockheed-Palmdale (USA); first flight August 3, 1961 at Lockheed, 30 flights total
sold by Lockheed as pattern aircraft; the aircraft was then dismantled and ferried to Belgium where it was reassembled by the SABCA/Fairey consortium starting November 4, 1961
coded KH+101 at Gosselies, Belgium on November 4, 1961; project "42" as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed and long range tanks as loose parts
reassembly November 4, 1961; accepted by BABwSABCA in USAF Silver-finish colors; December 1, 1961 first flight by Bernard Neefs
coded as "FX-1" at SABCA on December 4, 1961 representing the first European F-104G, construction number 9001
DA+105 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on May 16, 1962; recoded DR+105 on February 22, 1963
LPR 1 (Luftwaffenparkregiment 1) at Erding AB for system standardization according project "Balance"
according project "Columbus" airlifted to Lockheed-Burbank, CA, coded BG+145 on July 22, 1963
operated by the 4510 CCTW at Luke AFB (shadow serial number 2556) in US Silver-finish colors coded 13274
crashed August 5, 1968 near Luke AFB in the landing pattern after a transition (first solo) mission,
pilot ejected safely after encountering asymmetrical flap (Split Flaps) condition; pilot could not stop the roll tendency of the aircraft and
ejected safely; operated by 4512 CCTS; 871 flight hours; struck off charge order AVA) December 11, 1968, written off.

copyright © Klaus Kropf