F-104J "673" (56-8673) 203 sqn at Chitose AB 1979 for the ACM meeting (in special meeting colors)

F-104J, construction number 683B-3173, model 583-07-14, serial number 56-8673, built by Mitsubishi
delivery date March 10, 1965; 204 squadron of 5 Wing in 1973; October 1979 with 203 squadron of 2 Wing at Chitose
56-8673 carrying a red-white band over its central fuselage for the 1st ACM meeting
carrying red-white bands around its fuselage for the 1983 ACM meeting; 5th Kokudan of 204th Hikotai at Tsuiki AB 1984
no further information, scrapped.

The 203 Squadron was formed on June 25, 1964 at Chitose, within 2 Air Wing, with F-104 as a fighter interceptor squadron.
The 203 was re-equipped with F-15J in March 1982 and all of the F-104s had left the 203 by that time.

The 203 Squadron was (still is) homebased at Chitose in Hokkaido, and the bear is a symbolical and representative wild animal in Hokkaido.
The shape on the left of this marking is a geometrically shaped figure 2, while the right is clearly a figure "3".
The stomack of the teddy bear forms the "0", and read together the three parts form the figure "203".

copyright © Mühlböck collection

copyright drawing © Eric Sanvoisin