F-104C "FG-883" (56-0883) 479 TFW George AFB 1958

F-104C, construction number 183-1171, model 183-93-02, US serial number 56-0883, built by Lockheed
first flight June 17, 1958; delivery date September 17, 1958; September 1958 to AF Flight Test Center (Air Research and Development Command), Edwards AFB, CA
first F-104C delivered to George AFB 479th TFW; (deployments to Moron AB, Spain and Hahn AB, Germany)
436th TFS crashed September 20, 1965 operating out of DaNang AB, attached to 6252nd TFW
Capt Phillip Eldon Smith (POW) was shot down by a Shenyang J-6 (PRC MiG-19S) on an Armed Escort mission
he lost the orientation during flight, got shot down by gunfire from a Mig-19 flown by Chinese Navy pilot Gao Xiang over Hainan Island, North Vietnam
POW and was returned by the Chinese after the hostilities on March 15, 1973 after seven and a half years as a prisoner of war (POW); Stanley C2 seat; written off.

copyright © Chris Baird