F-104G "FN-F" 331 squadron of RNoAF (Royal Norwegian Air Force) at Bardufoss AB in Northern Norway in March 1969

RF-104G, construction number 683C-4030, model 683-04-10, US serial number 61-2630, built by Lockheed
RF-104G MAP (Military Assistance Program) to Norway coded "FN-F" on August 7, 1963
this Starfighter was one of many delivered to Norway via the USS Croatan which arrived at Agag harbor on August 6, 1963; with 331 squadron on August 10, 1963
modified to F-104G standards at Avio Diepen, Netherlands in 1963. It also had a RF-104G camera housing like lots of the early Norwegian Starfighters did.
They did not wear cameras and soon were removed during the first maintenance cycle (or IRAN); coded "630" from September 1, 1972
61-2630 has been participating in a squadron exchange in May/June 1970 with a RAF squadron based at Leuchars Air Base
and also a squadron exchange with a RAF squadron at RAF Gutersloh in September 1975. A year later, August 1976 it received overhaul (IRAN) at Fokker-Avio Diepen, Ypenburg.
After phasing out in Norway (total flying hours 3.777) the aircraft was transferred to Turkey on July 9, 1981 under MAP (Military Assistance Program) regulations (via the USAF)
It was flown over just as other Norwegian MAP aircraft to Sculthorpe, UK where it arrived July 8, 1981. At Sculthorpe the aircraft received Turkish markings and was flown over to Turkey
on July 15,1981 with a nightstop at Grosseto, arriving at Murted Air Base July 16, 1981; coded "4-630" at Murted AB in 1983; coded "9-630" 1986 (June 1986-1987)
withdrawn from use July 17, 1987; scrapped.

copyright © Grondstein archive