Photo of F-104G VB+240: picture wanted coded KE+497 or VB+240

F-104G VB+240 (no photo)

F-104G, construction number 683D-7197, company model 683-10-19, built by Messerschmitt (MTT)
manufactured by South Group (ARGE-Süd); assembly by Messerschmitt-Manching starting November 2, 1964
assembly in Fighterbomber version according contract lot 8; first flight February 8, 1965 coded KE+497
acceptance date by BABwMTT March 31, 1965; modification level "Prince" as Fighterbomber (for MFG 2)
with "AS.30" anti-ship missile delivery system, Sidewinder missile launch rails and long range tanks
camouflage scheme "Norm 62" according tech order "TA-196"
VB+240 on April 13, 1965 delivery date to MFG 1 at Schleswig-Jagel AB; April 21, 1965 to MFG 2 at Eggebeck AB
crashed May 10, 1966 after midair collision in bad weather with VA+115 (construction number 7095)
during NATO exercise "Wodden Walls" near Terschelling island into the sea
pilot ejected but was killed; written off; struck off charge order (AVA) February 9, 1967.
30 NM NW of Texel island, at 10:44 local time entering a sea fog bank as leader of a 4 ship, both pilots were missing and never found.

Project "Prince": 25 Fighterbomber for the 2. Staffel (Squadron) of MFG 2 at Eggebek with built-in Vulcan M61 20 mm machine gun, 
AS.30 "Kormoran" anti-ship missile delivery wiring system, long-distance tanks and Sidewinder launchers as loose equipment.

copyright © Karl Ascherl