F-104G DA+125 JaboG 31 after a net barrier engagement August 22, 1962

F-104G, construction number 8008, US serial number 63-13272, built by Fokker
manufactured by North Group (ARGE-Nord); assembled with Lockheed produced parts; first flight June 13, 1962 coded KG+108 at Fokker-Schiphol
acceptance date July 25, 1962 in Fighterbomber version by BABwFokker (RNAF-MTA)
DA+125 JaboG 31 "Boelcke" at Norvenich AB delivery date on August 2, 1962 in Silver-finish colors
LPR 1 coded DR+125 on March 20, 1963 for project "Balance" system upgrading; assigned for project "Columbus" on November 15, 1962
according project "Columbus" coded BG+139 airlifted to Lockheed-Burbank on June 18, 1963; reassembled and modified to the latest modification level at Lockheed-Palmdale
 operated by the 4510th CTTW at Luke AFB (German shadow serial number 2333, never used for registration) in USAF Silver-finish coded 13272
1974 stored due to fatigue cracks with 1.881 flight hours and repaired; flown until end of operation at Luke AFB on March 16, 1983
struck off charge order (AVA) July 19, 1983; with 2.536 flight hours 1983 sold to the USAF with "Phase III" lot
MAP (Military Assistance Program) under project "Ali Shan No.8" to ROCAF and arrival at 1st Depot at Pingtung AB on July 19, 1983
modified to RF-104G coded "5663" and operated by the 12 TRS (Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron) of 401 TCW (Tactical Combined Wing) at Taoyuan AB
May 31, 1988 heavily damaged by the jettisoned tip tank from the formation leader in "4392" during landing at TaoYuan AB, the pilot ejected safely
damaged beyond repair and written off.

Project "Balance": upgrade 19 F-104G with retrofit kits at LPR 1 at Erding AB and received DR+xxx codes with their old three-digit squadron numbers.
After the upgrade, these aircraft either returned to their squadrons or directly to Manching for disassembly for the Columbus program.

copyright © Klaus Kropf