F-104G "13269" (63-13269) 58th TTW (Tactical Training Wing) wearing "The Fighting 69th" tail marks 1982

F-104G, construction number 683D-8002, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13269, built by Fokker
manufactured by North Group (ARGE-Nord); assembled with Lockheed produced parts; Fokker factory construction number 10452
coded KG+102 first flight March 2, 1962; project "42" as Fighterbomber (for JaboG 31) with Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun installed
and long range tanks as loose parts; acceptance date May 16, 1962 by BABwFokker (RNAF-MTA)
DA+249 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on May 15, 1962; DR+249 to LPR 1 for project "Balance" system upgrading
assigned for project "Columbus" on November 15, 1962; according project "Columbus" on July 22, 1963 to Lockheed-Palmdale coded BG+146
 coded 13269 operated by the 4510th CTTW (German shadow serial number 2328) in USAF Silver-finish colors
grounded due to fatigue cracks in April 1976 with 2.415 flight hours; repaired and operational again
69th TFTS Commander's aircraft Luke AFB (KLUF) Arizona 1980 wearing the "Fighting 69th" tail art the F-104 stared in the film "The Right Stuff" 1982
the pilots were Lt Col Robert Patterson (USAF) and Oberstleutnant Heinrich Thueringer (GAF); flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983
struck off charge order (AVA) July 19, 1983 and sold to the USAF with "Phase III" lot
with 3.111 flight hours with MAP (Military Assistance Program) to Taiwan (ROCAF) in 1983 coded "4383" under project "Ali Shan No.8" to 2 Wing
withdrawn from use August 6, 1996; written off in 1st Depot at Pingtung AB; scrapped.

claim of fame: Two F-104G from the 69th TFTS at Luke AFB were used to film the flying sequences
One was 63-13243, the other was 63-13269, for the film both were just serialed "132"; both were later transferred to Taiwan.

copyright © Günter Grondstein