F-104C 60891 "ARIZ AIR GUARD" at Phoenix Sky Harbour IAP, Phoenix, Arizona 2004 representing a F-104A of the 197th FIS "Copperheads" Arizona ANG

F-104C, construction number 183-1179, model 483-04-05, US serial number 56-0891, built by Lockheed
delivery date October 16, 1958; 479th Tactical Fighter Wing (Tactical Air Command), George AFB, CA, October 1958-November 1966
(deployments to Moron AB Spain and Ramey AFB, PR); with 435th TFS at Udorn in late 1966; 56-0891 refueling in flight with 436 TFS December 1963 noted
January 1967 435 Tactical Fighter Squadron (Pacific Air Forces), Udorn RTAFB, Thailand; March 1967 to 8th Tactical Fighter Wing (PACAF), Udorn RTAFB
56-891 nicknamed as "Snoopy Sniper" was flown by Herb Drisco. On the other side "Nancy J" was painted. The name "Nancy J" referred to Herb's wife
198th TFS Puerto Rico ANG, San Juan IAP, PR January 1968-1975; August 11, 1975 dropped from the inventory and transfer to Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix
on pole at Sky Harbor Airport, Phoenix, AZ in Arizona ANG complex with F-104A markings in front of the AZ ANG HQ bldg in 2000; May 2025 noted.

First official F-104C delivered to George AFB 479th TFW, actual first handover to TAC was at Nellis AFB on October 15, 1958
and there was a lot of trouble over this paint job. It seems Lockheed was contacted by Col George Laven JR. from the 479th TFW to paint the F-104 in that scheme for him, but the USAF did not know of it at the time,
and when the bill for this extra paint scheme was presented there was much consternation. The first C-model accepted by Tactical Air Command took place at the Annual Fighter Weapons Meet at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas October 15, 1958.
This aircraft was named "Really George" because its home base would be the 479th TFW at George AFB, California

33°25'22.5"N 112°00'51.7"W

copyright @ Mike Vivian