F-104G "FX51" "Slivers" demo team in the summer of 1971 at Ramstein AB

F-104G, construction number 683D-9094, model 683-10-19, built by SABCA
FX51 license built at SABCA industries, Belgium and delivered to the Belgium Air Force 	coded FX51 on July 14,1964; transferred to 10th Wing (Kleine Brogel AB) in July 1964
and transferred after its first IRAN maintenance to 1 Wing (Beauvechain AB) in 1971; it was used as one of the demonstration aircraft of the "Slivers" demo team in the summer of 1971
(seen at Ramstein in June 1971); on January 24, 1973 it encountered a CAT 2 damage (Anti-ice ducts detached) during the flight during an emergency landing at its homebase,
but it was repaired soon again (349 Sqn); after repair it was sent to 10 Wing (Kleine Brogel AB) again early 1974; then it got its second IRAN maintenance treatment in April 1977
after that it was delivered to 1st Wing (Beauvechain AB) and again later, likely 1979 it was transferred to 10 Wing (Kleine Brogel)
It flew until its retirement on August 25, 1982 when it was put in storage at Koksijde AB (31 sqn)
in January 1987 struck of charge and sold to Radcomm Inc and this company transported all of them to the USA (Los Angeles) in 1989
In the US most of them were sold to Taiwan but some of them stayed and were sold to private owners/companies/museums
FX51 went to Burbank in 1989 and was offered on an auction at Santa Monica in 1990
It was sold for 14.000 Dollar to Museum of Flying in 1991 and lateron moved to Flying Tigers Warbird Museum, Kissimmee, USA where it got USAF markings and serial "FG-813"
in complete silver (light grey) finish. There it stayed until the museum was closed in June 2005 after badly damaged by a tornado. It was owned by Mr Blair who kept it inside the hangar
The Starfighter had been recently repainted into light grey colors October 28, 2007 noted
It was suddenly seen as X-mas celebration aircraft in December 2011 at Talbot County. December 2011 at Saint Michaels Road, Talbot County, MD
display at Easton Municipal Airport, Talbot County, Maryland, October 6, 2012 noted; April 2024 noted.

38°48'40.2"N 76°03'56.1"W

copyright © Urs Baettig