F-104G "DB+257" at Lechfeld AB in 1965

SATS (Short Airfield for Tactical Support) was a test programme where F-104G aircraft were catapult launched from short land strips (for mobile airfields)
and recovered using arrestor gear. Test launches were carried out at Lakehurst and Lechfeld in 1966.

F-104G, construction number 683D-8007, model 683-10-19, US serial number 63-13271, built by Fokker
assembled with Lockheed produced parts, first flight June 27, 1962 coded KG+107 in Fighterbomber version
acceptance date July 19, 1962 by BABwFokker; DA+128 JaboG 31 delivery date August 21, 1962 in Silver-finish colors
DR+128 at LPR 1 on March 19, 1963 for upgrading according project "Balance" (system upgrading to higher modification level)
according project "Columbus" to USA coded BG+144 on July 16, 1963; modified for SATS program (Short Airfields for Tactical Support),
a trial for mobile airfields at US Navy Test Center Lakehurst, New Jersey
stored at Lockheed-Palmdale, July 28, 1965 shipped to Germany; further tests 1965-1966 coded DB+257 at JaboG 32 Lechfeld; 1966 trials for Martin Baker MB GQ.7(A) ejection seat
23+32 JaboG 32 at Lechfeld AB on October 30, 1967; EL-70/EL-73 Electronic Counter Measure (ECM) system was installed in the weapon system in the late 70s with tech order "TA-FL1191"
IRAN at SABCA on October 8, 1970, back to JaboG 32 on November 20, 1970; JaboG 33 on October 10, 1984; JaboG 34 on February 22, 1985
crashed October 3, 1985 on Suippes Bombing Range, France after compressor stall during bomb run recovery, pilot ejected safely; struck off charge order (AVA) June 5, 1986.

copyright © Mühlböck collection