F-104G "13270" (63-13270) 4510th CCTW (4510th Combat Crew Training Wing) over Gila Bend Range

F-104G, construction number 683D-8003, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13270, built by Fokker
manufactured by North Group (ARGE-Nord); Fokker factory construction number 10453; assembled with Lockheed produced parts; first flight March 22, 1962 coded KG+103
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 11, 1962 by BABwFokker (RNAF-MTA)
DA+251 JaboG 31 at Norvenich AB delivery date on May 11, 1962 in Silver-finish colors; recoded DR+251 on February 27, 1963; LPR 1 on March 20, 1963 for project "Balance" system upgrading
assigned for project "Columbus" on November 15, 1962; according project "Columbus" coded BG+138 airlifted to Lockheed-Palmdale on June 10, 1963
 operated by the 4510th CTTW (Combat Crew Training Wing), Luke AFB, Arizona coded 13270 in USAF Silver-finish colors
crashed operated by the 4443rd CCTS on March 3, 1966 near Luke AFB during night solo due to fuel starvation after a roll maneuver,
pilot ejected safely at about 5.000 feet; written off; 345 flight hours; taken off the Lw aircraft type roster July 26, 1966. crash site: 5 miles SW of Aqulia (15 NM W of Wickenburg)

Project "42": to equip first the JaboG 31 (FBW 31) at Nörvenich with this new type of aircraft. 42 aircrafts (hence the name of the project!) were planned to be part of the original delivery

copyright © Mühlböck collection

badge of the 4443rd CCTS Luke AFB