F-104C "70929" 436 TFS "Black Aces" over California in early 60s

F-104C, construction number 183-1246, model 483-04-05, US serial number 57-0929, built by Lockheed
date available January 12, 1959; date accepted March 1, 1959; delivery date to USAF March 10, 1959
479th TFW delivery date March 10, 1959 coded FG-929; October 20, 1962 57-0929 suffered a broken refueling probe during
inflight refueling from a KB-50J tanker at 22,000 feet near Hobbs, New Mexico; 436 TFS at DaNang 1965; 1966/67 at Udorn 435 TFS
as "0-70929" with Puerto Rico Air National Guard (PRANG) December 1972 noted
written off January 23, 1975 57-0929 suffered loss of both leading edge flaps and damage to trailing edge flaps after encountering
afterburner jet wash from another F-104C during ACM. The aircraft was thrown into a dive which was recovered just 200' above the water.
A safe landing was made following this incident with no injury to the pilot, damage beyond economical repair, written off
at University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) area with 198th TFS marks 1975
restoration in 2003; display 156th Airlift Wing, 60th Anniversary, San Juan-Luis Munoz Marin International (TJSJ), (Muniz AB)
November 18, 2007 noted; December 2011 noted; paint work after the hurricane San Juan-Luis Munoz Marin International (TJSJ) May 2018 noted
August 2023 noted.

copyright @ Dick Moore

18°26'33.91"N 65°59'31.50"W

F-104C "70929" 436 TFS on the DaNang flightline in 1965 with black inlets cones