Last year Scramble Magazine reported some information about two Italian Starfighters being MM6800 and MM6774. We have some doubts about that information, especially that from MM6800:

MM6774 : Scramble believes the the cockpit of this aircraft as "9-51" can now be found in a private garden in Isschia (Naples), located on an island. We have no confirmation yet but the MM6774 was last noted in Grazzanise in 2006 so that could be possible.

MM6800 : Scrambe believes this aircraft can now be found preserved as "37-25" next to MM6756 ("9-40") at the South side of the town Ceprano (FR). However we got information that the forward fuselage of this MM6800 has been cut in Grazzanise and is currently private used as cockpit as "53-14", first noted mid 2010. So again a doubtful situation. The 2nd aircraft at Ceprano was first noted in May 2011. But since the other aircraft retained its old "9-41"code, and Grazzanise always applies "9-51" for restored aircraft, this may conclude that this 2nd aircraft really is MM6800 since then it still carries its old serial "37-25"!!! Who can help us out??

The ex German F-104G c/n 6620 (ex 20+99 of the German Air Force) was no longer seen at the gate of Beja Air Base where it could be found since 1997. It is unknown where it is now since it was not seen anymore at the gate since October 2011> We received information that the aircraft is currently being restored in a hangar at the air base!!! So we will see it back preserved this year.

On January 25th, IFS member Ivan Turniano was able to intensively identify the F-104 which is preserved in Rome inside Istituto Tecnico Industriale Galileo Galilei in Rome. It is MM6749 and it carries the CFE plate of aircraft MM6759. Interesting since the MM6759 is carrying the CFE plate from MM6749. There were already stories that this aircraft inside this institute was MM6749. Now it is confirmed!!

On January 17th, the virtual 102Gruppo (Flight Simulation group in Italy), based at San Giustino, received the TF-104G-M body MM54260 from the AMI (Grazzanize Air Base) to serve as a flight simulation realistic body. It departed Grazzanise the day before. It is the body without wings and tail. Lots of ex Rimini 102gr pilots are member of this 102 virtual group and want to us Skunk Sim software to connect to the avionics as a challenging project.
For more information see: http://102virtual.org

Last week the five ex-Italian Air Force Starfighters arrived in Florida with the Starfighers demoteam.. We received some nice photos from crewchief Sean Freitag... taken during and after arrival. See photos -->

Recently we saw some pictures showing a preserved F-104G on the ground at Balikesir with 100000hrs markings paintbrushed on the tailfin. Photo thanks to artist Evrim Duyar!!
In attendance of the Turkish Air Force Commander, 192 Filo ‘Kaplan’ celebrated its 100.000th flying hour on April 16, 2010. To mark the occasion the Turkish Airbrush artist Evrim Duyar was asked to paint the tail of an F-104G and an F-16 to decorate the entrance of the Squadron building.
Actually this must be F-104G 2045 which has been sitting at the entrance on the ground for many years. However it has not yet been confirmed.

We got some latest news from 22+35 owner Justin who is very busy restoring the aircraft with his team. The planning is that it will be operational again for taxy demonstrations. That would be really awesome. However they need a number of parts to achieve this (tires, brakes etc...) and any help will be appreciated!!
Attached some newer photos...

Via IFS member Ioannis Mylonas we heard that 2 interesting books have been released in Greece.
Beneath some details and on the right some photos of the book-covers.

“FIGHTING THE LETHE”
This book deals with is the HAF OUT OF SERVICE AIRCRAFT 2010-2011 and covers a period of 20 years from 1990 to this day. What makes this book unique is the fact that further than the details of each aircraft, every one of the more than 650 aircraft are presented by photos of excellent quality, leaving aside any doubts or misunderstands. The book is very unique and written by Themistocles Vranas. The language of the book is Greek and an English text supplement has been uploaded to our IFS membership yahoogroup files section.. More information about this book can be found via:
http://www.hafy.gr/show.php?id=company&lang=en

"HAF 80 YEARS"
This book describes 80 years of Hellenic Air Force history. More information can be found on website: http://www.hafy.gr/show.php?id=Books80XroniaHaf&lang=en

Maybe interesting books for your 104 collection!!!

In November we already stated that the Starfighter demo team had received some ex Italian Air Force Starfighters to increase their aircraft fleet in Florida. This week the aircraft have been officialle registered by the FAA and it was a surprise to see that they also had acquired a second F-104S/ASA-M aircraft which makes it a total of 5 ex Italian Starfighters!!!! This was the nicely restored F-104S/ASA-M which was already expected to go earlier...
The numbers are:
N993SF LOCKHEED F-104S ASA-M 6734
N994SF LOCKHEED F-104S ASA-M 6940
N990SF LOCKHEED TF-104G-M 54251
N991SF LOCKHEED TF-104G-M 54258
N992SF LOCKHEED TF-104G-M 54261

The ex Belgium Air Force F-104G FX84 (c/n 9142) was planned to be made flyworthy again by Premier Jets Inc in Hillsboro Apt from early 2000s. However they replaced it by an ex-Taiwan Air Force F-104G which was in a better condition. From 2004 it was put for sale and late 2000s it was sold to the Evergreen Aviation Space Museum in Oregon. The last few months the aircraft was completely restored and repainted as the Nasa F-104N NA813NA. The result is really awesome!!! The aircraft was first noticed preserved inside the collection in August 2011.

The F-104D 57-1320 is on display in the park again as part of the new Green Lantern rollercoaster and looks wonderful in the new overall grey color scheme.... A few months ago it was lying in a yard in New Yersey with lots of damages to its fuselage due to vandalism. It must have been a lot of work to have this restored again.
It was first noted at Six Flags again in June 2011.

Currently three different Starfighters can be found preserved in Turkey with serial "733". Only two aircraft with "733" have served the Turkish Air Force being MAP F-104G (c/n 6085) 63-12733 and CF-104 (c/n 1033) 104733. This means that the third preserved "733" wears a fake serial but which one should it be?
An overview... with photos taken by Pieter van't Hof around at and around Istanbul on June 3rd, 2011.

MAP F-104G 63-12733 has been withdrawn from use on May 18th, 1985 at Murted as "4-733",
Then it was erected on a pole at Anadolu with its old code. Between mid 1994 and late 1995 it was moved to Istanbul were it went to the University. -------> photo nr 1

CF-104 104733 was withdrawn from use on August 17th, 1993 flying with 182nd Filo at Diyarbakir Air Base. It went in storage at Eskisehir. still coded "8-733". In de summer of 1995 it was transported to the Air Museum at Istanbul where it can be found preserved now. -------> photo nr 2

And then there were three..... An unknown F-104G with fake serial "2633" code "4-733" can be found near Hendek town, on a hill along the road. We are very interested in its real identity...
who can help us?? -------> photo nr 3

On the 7th of December we already mentioned that the Alberta Aviation museum in Edmonton was looking for funding the buy of a TF-104G. In between they succeeded and they bought a two-seater via Barry Johnson. It is an ex-TF-104G from the Dutch Air Force and still in Holland. So it must be one of the aircraft D-5803, D-5805 or D-5806. We will see which aircraft will arrive soon. Very likely the aircraft will get the colors of the RCAF representing a Canadian CF-104D aircraft.

See also story: http://www.theprovince.com/life/Edmonton+firm+helps+museum/5845838/story.html

We found this in the news (thanks to Chris Baird):

The Alberta Aviation Museum has located an appropriate two-seat Starfighter and is moving forward with acquiring the aircraft for restoration and exhibit. This is one of the few remaining available and is identical to the 2-seat version used in the Royal Canadian Air force and Canadian Armed Forces. The aircraft is complete (less armaments) right through radios, radar to the engine and its systems.
The broker has agreed to hold the aircraft till December 14th, 2011 so we are in a race to raise the funding before the aircraft is made available to other parties. Cost of acquisition and restoration is expected to be approx $70,000.00 Canadian delivered to Edmonton.

The Starfighter is an important part of both Alberta and Edmonton history. The Starfighter being operated from CFB Cold Lake for many years and virtually all the RCAF/CAF Starfighters were overhauled here in Edmonton at North West Industries at Edmonton Municipal Airport.

Those wishing to donate to acquiring/restoring this F-104 Starfighter can contribute to:
Alberta Aviation Museum Association, 11410-Kingsway, Edmonton, AB, T5G 0X4
Attn: CF-104 Project
Please include a note designating the donation to the F-104 project* with your name, address, postal code as all donations over $50.00 receive tax receipts ascharitable donations .
(*by designating to this project your donation can only be used for this specific project)

The Alberta Aviation Museum is a registered not for profit charitable society in Canada.
Our website www.albertaaviationmuseum.com

Thank you, Thomas Hinderks, Executive Director, Alberta Aviation Museum Association
Office: 780-453-1078 or e-mail: eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca

Full disclosure on CF-104 Acquisition Project:

- Aircraft is a Lockheed built Starfighter (2) seater.
- It is NOT a Canadair built Single seater.
(all RCAF/CAF single seaters were built by Canadair, 2 seaters by Lockheed)
- This specific aircraft did NOT serve with the RCAF/CAF.
- The aircraft is being imported from Europe.

For all intents it is identical to the CF-104 (2) seater built by Lockheed as operated by RCAF/CAF and will be restored to represent an RCAF CF-104 (2) seater.
(Specific aircraft and Squadron still to be chosen)

IFS: We have the idea that the Assocaition is pointing towards the Ex Dutch Air Force D-5810.

This week we heard from Johan Bringmans, owner of Belgium F-104G FX-69, that he has no longer his shelter anymore at Weeze Airport in Germany. Last transport was in June this year. Now the aircraft is back in Belgium and restauration will be finalized in 2012. Recently both wings have been thoroughly "high pressure" sanded.
The remaining other F-104 material, including the fuselage of FX-70, were sold to PS Aero in Baarlo.

We got news from Dawn Golas, Director of Events at the Veterans Memorial Air Park in Forth Worth:

This note is to let you know that we will be working during the holidays to put together a great Starfighter Reunion here in Fort Worth.  We have had to make yet one more change to the dates, which will now be (March 30 - 31 2012).  Due to a busy year for us at the museum, the ops tempo of the military and government regulations, we have had to move some of our activities to fit it all in. I am looking forward to seeing as many of you as possible at that time.  Mark your calendars, as you won't want to miss this event.
For those of you that don't know me, my name is Dawn Golas, and I worked with the NATO 104 Training Program at Luke AFB from 1966 to 1977, mostly in the Maintenance Debrief Office.  My husband (Mike Golas) flew 104s as an instructor pilot from 1973 to 1977.  After retiring from the military we moved to Fort Worth, Texas for Mike's job with General Dynamics (now Lockheed).  While here we discovered the Forward Air Controllers Museum, which is part of the OV-10 Bronco Association and Veterans Memorial Air Park.  Mike also flew OV-10s at Sembach in Germany and at George AFB in California. We then reconnected with our former Luke AFB 104 chief test pilot and friend, Bert Yetman, and it has been fun and games ever since.  We are very proud of our museum and our collection of 21 aircraft and are anxious to show it all to you.
Some of the activities we have planned for the reunion will be museum tours, speakers from both the GAF and USAF active duty military, static displays of current military aircraft, party time and, of course, story telling at the Yankee Air Pirate Hooch each night. (Some of you might even break out in song.)  I will have details, info for hotels and, hopefully, a surprise or two that we will announce in January when we have had some time to relax and get it all put together.  I don't have addresses for everyone that might want to be included, so please pass this to anyone you think might want to attend.  I am also enclosing our websites so you can get a virtual tour of our facility.  Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience the date change may cause you.

Dawn Golas, Director of Events, Veterans Memorial Air Park, PO Box 161966, Fort Worth, TX 76161 (phone: 817-821-7676)

Today we received the latest news from the 637 project team in Norway:

(1) Two engine starts performed lately, the latest today. Engine working fine.
(2) Modification of the ENCS performed and tested.
(3) Modification to MB-seat on the way.
(4) Civil registration will be "LN-STF".

On Youtube we found a short video taken in Japan, early 60s when the aircraft did not wear any squadron markings yet. See VIDEO.

The Belgium FX52 can be found inside the collection of the P.A.L.I.S foundation at Voula. This is located East of Karellas Koropiou. Also the ex German Starfighter 8001 ("KG+101") is expected to arrive there soon. See also website HERE
The museum also owns an F-104G forward cockpit section (could be a Canadair simulation unit).

Today I got awful news from Jordan. One of our Jordanian IFS members told us about the fact that the preserved F-104A on the entrance of the city of Ramtha has been destroyed by rioters!
The riots are as a result of a death of a 19 year old inmate who commited suicide and the people of Ramtha are blaming police brutality for his death!
Looking at the damage on the aircraft it most likely will be taken away and be scrapped.
Right some photos, taken when it was still in one piece and one after it was destroyed and burned...
The aircraft identity should be "915" with fake serial "913". But until now nobody could confirm this.

This month (November 2011) the Starfighters Demo team is visiting Grazzanise Air Base, Italy to capture their needed Starfighters to add to their collection. During the visit three two-seater and one one-seaters were chosen being: TF-104GM MM54251 (ex RS-09), MM54258 (ex 4-40) and MM54261(ex 4-42). The one-seater is F-104S-ASA/M aircraft MM6734 being the ex RS-06 from Partica Di Mare and already operationally stored at Grazzanise (shelter) at least since early 2010. It is unknown when these 4 aircraft will be transported to Florida in the USA. All markings have been removed already from these four aircraft. This means that in spite rumours last summer, still no ex Italian aircraft had been brought over to the USA and also the team was more interested in two-seaters as expected earlier on.

The last couple of months a lot of F-104s were noticed during trips in Turkey. Most of them were known but the trips also revealed some interesting updates. Beneath a short overview.

8299 - as "8-288" F-104G preserved North of the gate at Izmir AB (seen June 2011).
This aircraft left Yesilyurt around 2008 for refurbishment. We know that it is now preserved at Izmir.

4041 - as "2239" F-104G is now preserved at Bursa with another (unidentified) F-104G. (First noted in June 2011)

???? - as "65-7181" F-104G is new preserved at Bursa together with "2239". It could not be identified but is not 7181 since that aircraft never went to Turkey. (First noted in June 2011)

7125 - as "- 125", F-104G Is preserved on a pole at the entrance of the Celal Bayar University at Eskisehir. (First noted in June 2011)

1056 - 104756 - can be found preserved as "8-756" at Cavagzi. (First noted in June 2011). It was the first time it was seen since lots of years (90s) when still in operational storage at Diyarbakir AB.

8321 - as "8-321", F-104G has been seen lots of years preserved at Batman, but it was gone around late 2008 or 2009.

For these new updates we are very interested in Photos!!!! Who can help us??

Last Saturday October 15th, Taiwanese air enthusiast Willy Zhuo filmed a number of preserved F-104s in Kangshan AB. Amazing was the statemenf of the chief commander on a plate with the displayed F-104J 4303 with the information that this aircraft is NOT the F-104J 4522 but 4502!!! They have analysed the aircraft and its documents carefully!!! This particular aircraft had not been seen anymore since it was withdrawn from use at Pingtung Air Base early 90s...

Here the video's: 4166 and 4344 and 4241 and three videos of 4502 as "4303"
being video1 video2 and video3

More photos of 4502 can be found here.

We got news from the current owner of the former Dutch Air Force Starfighters D-8244 and D-5810, being Barry Johnson, president of the Significant Military Aircraft Corporation. He stated that these two Starfighters are presently under restoration at Wolf Aircraft (www.wolfaircraftllc.com) in Denison, Texas, USA.
These aircraft were shipped from Holland to Paine Field, Everett, Washington in September 2010, as part of a Purchase agreement, which was cancelled. They were moved to Texas by their current owner, in June 2011,
for restoration to flying condition. The single seater is almost finished. They are both in excellent condition and are also for sale!!!
Barry also originally obtained CF104632, CF104633, and CF104759 from Norway some years ago.

Currently three civil schools uses CF-104 aircraft as instructional airframe. The sad news is that these will soon be replaced by newer F-5 aircraft which have been phased out in 2007, more then 20years later than the CF-104s were withdrawn!!. IFS member Tom Svendsen was able to handover a replacementscheme:

Bodø Videregående Skole                     CF-104 , 104800   , F-5A excpected ex Rygge nov/dec.2011
Bardufoss Høgtun Videregående Skole   CF-104 , 104836  ,  F-5A excpected ex Rygge oct/nov.2011
Sola Videregående Skole                      CF-104 , 104717 ,  F-5A excpected  ex Rygge nov/dec.2011

Videregående skole = High schools

What will happen to the CF-104s is not known but since there is lack of space... the CF-104 will probably be scrapped but the future will tell...

We got some news from the 637 project team. The CF104D 104637 project is mowing forward….
The team has signed a contract with SES for cartridges for the MB seats. Other initiators are arriving from Italy.