F-104G "13275" (63-13275) of the 4510th Combat Crew Training Wing, Luke AFB loaded with a dart target for aerial gunnery training

F-104G, construction number 683D-9002, company model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13275, 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 January 30, 1962 with components originally supplied directly
by Lockheed and several European factories; first flight May 29, 1962 coded with construction number "9002"
project "42" in Fighterbomber version with the M61 20 mm Vulcan machine gun mounted and an additional Long Range fuel tank
total of 3 factory test flights and 3 military test flights with 5 flight hours; military test flights at Gosselies: 2.6.1962, 6.6 1962 and 9.6.1962 by chief test pilot Major Bladt (delivery)
acceptance date by BABwSABCA on June 9, 1962; delivery date June 9, 1962 coded KH+102 in USAF Silver-finish colors 
DA+252 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date on June 9, 1962
DR+252 LPR 1 for upgrade project "Balance" on March 19, 1963; planned for project "Columbus" November 15, 1962
according project "Columbus" airlifted to Burbank, CA, USA coded BG+141 on June 24, 1963; reassembled and modified to the latest modification level at Palmdale
 operated by the 4510 CCTW Luke AFB (German shadow serial number 2557) in USAF Silver-finish colors coded 13275
crashed February 18, 1975 with the 418 TFTS at Gila Bend Bombing and Gunnery Range on a "Ground Attack Tactics" mission after ground contact
caused by asymmetric flight control condition (possibly split-flaps), pilot was killed, written off; 2.153 flight hours.

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 © Frank Matthes