F-104J "501" (26-8501) April 1, 1962 501 Hikotai of JASDF at Komaki AB, accepted first F-104J

F-104J, construction number 683B-3001, model 683-07-14, JASDF serial number 26-8501, built by Lockheed
The first F-104J (s/n 26-8501), initially serialed 16-8501, was built by Lockheed and made its first flight at Lockheed's Burbank Plant on June 30, 1961.
It was dismantled and sent to Mitsubishi's Komaki factory, Nagoya, with Canadair CL-44D, where it was reassembled and made its first flight on March 8, 1962
test flight April 1, 1962 at the Mitsubishi factory at Komaki AB, Nagoya, delivered to JASDF, used as trainer at Komaki AB with 201 squadron
transferred with 201 squadron of 2 Wing to Chitose AB, Sapporo, (201 squadron was generally responsible for test flights), in the meantime presented at all flight shows in Japan
first check at IRAN in 1965; returned to Chitose 201 squadron; all the time with 201 Hikotai of 2 Kokudan
crashed October 19, 1965 after a midair collision with T-33A of USAF during a training flight south of Erimo Cape, Hokkaido, pilot ejected
USAF ET-33A could safely land at Misawa AB afterwards.

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