F-104 Starfighters and the TIGER MEET participations


On this page an overview of all the events in which Starfighters played their own roles starting with 1963.

 

KLEINE BROGEL 1963

31Sml at Kleine Brogel participated as one of the squadrons. It is not sure if they already used the brand new F-104s.

 

CAMBRAI 1964

Unknown if Starfighters have participated during this TigerMeet in France.

BITBURG 1965

Unknown if Starfighters have participated during this TigerMeet in Germany.

LEUCHARS 1966

This year nr 74squadron was hosting the Tiger Meet.
The Canadians and the Belgian Air Force came along with their Starfighters. The German decided not to come over with their RF-104Gs since they believed that the safety facilities at Leuchars were not sufficient. So instead of RF-104G the 2nd Staffel of AKG52 came over with two T-33 aircraft. Inside the magazine Air Pictorial (nr September 1966) an article can be found by Stephen Peltz.
439sq: CF-104 12779, 12846 (not confirmed).
31Smaldeel: F-104G FX41, FX54, FX69.

 

LECK 25 May till 2 June 1967

The Leck based Starfighters from AKG52 participated during this TigerMeet. It was the first time that the Germans participated in the Tiger Meet. Aircraft came from the Canadian 439sq, Belgium 31 Smaldeel and the German Air Force AKG52 all flying the F-104 Starfighter. Aircraft seen included:
AKG52: EB+122, EB+110, EB+124 and EB+246.

 

LAHR 16 till 20 September 1968

The Canadian 439squadron participated with Starfighters during this TigerMeet. One of them was CF-104 12859. Canadian pilot Lt. Col S.P. Gulyas won the Bronze Tiger Trophee. Also the Belgians came to Lahr. One of the participating aircraft was FX03 of 10 Wing 31 Smaldeel. Photos beneath were taken by Gary Watson at Lahr.

12859
FX03
FX03
12859 (Gary Watson)
FX03 during open house (Gary Watson)
FX03 (Gary Watson)

 

WOODBRIDGE August 1969

During this TigerMeet again Starfighters from the Canadian 439sq participated. Also the German AKG52, Italian 21 Gruppo and Belgium 10Wing 31Smaldeel joined the meet.
Aircraft seen during the TigerMeet on 6, 7 and 8 August were:
439sq: CF-104 12833(TIGER), 104834, 12850, 12900 and CF-104D 12655.
AKG52: RF-104G 24+98, 24+99, 25+09 and TF-104G 27+90.
21Gruppo: F-104G MM6532/53-14, MM6546/53-16, MM6580/53-15.
31Smaldeel: F-104G FX34, FX42, FX48, FX60 and FX67.
104834

12900
12850
12833
104834
12900
12850
12833
12833
12655
24+98
24+99
12833
12655
24+98
24+99
25+09
27+90
25+09
27+90
FX34
FX42
FX60
FX67
FX34
FX42
FX60
FX67
MM6546
MM6580
MM6546
MM6580
MM6546
MM6580
MM6546
MM6580

 

KLEINE BROGEL 6 till 10 July 1970

Starfighters from the Belgium 31smaldeel (10Wing), Canadian 439 squadron, Italian 21 Gruppo as well as recce Starfighters from the German AKG52 participated during this TigerMeet. Belgium Air Force Major Piet Devos won the Bronze Tiger Trophee.
Aircraft seen during the meet included:
AKG52: 21+00, 24+89 and 24+92 (all RF-104G)
21gruppo : MM6507/53-02, MM6xxx/53-04 and MM6601/53-10 (all F-104G)
439sq: 104666 (CF-104D) and 104859 and 104893 (all CF-104)

21+00
24+89
24+92
21+00 from AKG52 on the Kleine Brogel flightline (Peter Mühlböck Collection)
24+89 from AKG52 on the Kleine Brogel flightline
(Peter Mühlböck Collection)
24+92 from AKG52 on the Kleine Brogel flightline (Peter Mühlböck Collection)

 

UPPER HEYFORD 14 till 19 June 1971

Starfighters seen during this TigerMeet came from the German AKG52, the Canadian 439squadron, Italian 21Gruppo and the Belgium 31 Smaldeel.
Aircraft seen during the TigerMeet were:
439sq: CF-104 104749, 104865 and CF-104D 104661, 104666.
AKG52: Only TF-104G 27+91 has been reported as seen.
21Gruppo: F-104G MM6516/53-04, MM6532/53-15, MM6536/53-14, MM6563/53-07.
31 Smaldeel: FX30

 

CAMBRAI 12 till 19 June 1972

During this TigerMeet Starfighters from the Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira participated for the first time. Also aircraft from the other Tiger squadrons flew their missions like the Canadian 439squadron, Belgium 31 Smaldeel, Italian 21Gruppo.
439sq: CF-104 104770 and CF-104D 104656.
31Smaldeel: TF-104G FC03 and F-104G FX-47
21Gruppo: F-104G MM6532/53-15 and F-104S MM6717/53-10, MM6776/53-21.
335Mira: F-104G 62-12302/FG302 and 63-12721/FG721.

 

CAMERI 19 till 25 June 1973

Starfighters seen during this TigerMeet came from the Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, the Canadian 439 squadron, the Italian 21 Gruppo and the Belgium 31 Smaldeel.
439sq: CF-104 104827, 104840, 104864, 104869 and CF-104D 104666.
335Mira: At least TF-104G 62-12274/FG274 and 62-12278/FG278.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6770/53-20, MM6771/53-05, MM6???/53-02, MM6???/53-04, MM6???/53-09 and MM6???/53-15

 

BITBURG 25 till 29 June 1974

Starfighters seen during this TigerMeet came from the Hellenic Air Force 335 Mira, the Italian Air Force 21 Gruppo and Canadian 439 Squadron. An open house was organised on 29 June.
335Mira: TF-104G 62-12278/FG278, F-104G 64-17781, 63-13643
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6732/53-01, MM6770/53-20, MM6815/53-04.
439 Sq: CF-104 104808, 104859 and CF-104D 104653.
104653
104808
104653
104808

 

LECK 3 till 7 September 1975

Starfighters from the German AKG52, Belgium 10W, Canadian 439 Squadron and Italian 21 Gruppo participated during this TigerMeet. An open house was held on 7 September.
One of the aircraft, MM6773/53-22, was involved in an accident during the meet. It encountered a mid-aircollision with a GNAT from the RAF (XS103) while flying a mission from Leck. It was damaged but could land and was repaired lateron.
21Gruppo: MM6706/53-10, MM6732/53-01, MM6773/53-22.
439Sq: CF-104 104756
10W: F-104G FX85 and FX98
FX85
104756
FX85

 

BADEN-SOLLINGEN June 1976

Starfighters from the Canadian 439sq and Belgium 10 Wing participated during the TigerMeet held on the Canadian homebase. Canadian Armed Forces Lt. Col Peter deSmedt won the Bronze Tiger award. One Starfighter was TIGER striped being CF-104 104756.
439sq: CF-104 104756.
10 Wing : F-104G FX91.
104756

 

GREENHAM COMMON June 1977

A TigerMeet was held during the Air Tatoo held on this Air Base. A number of Starfighter squadrons participated. An aircraft seen 23 June 1977 was CF-104 104838 wearing a TIGER color scheme.
439squadron won the Tiger trophee this meet.
Participating aircraft included:
439sq RCAF: CF-104's 104838 "TIGER" and 104843 which also was seen flying on 26th of June 1977.
104838

 

KLEINE BROGEL 19 till 26 June 1978

During this TigerMeet the Belgium Air Force 31 Smaldeel (10W) participated with a TIGER painted FX52. Other Starfighter squadrons at Kleine Brogel were the Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo and the Canadian Starfighters from 439squadron. They held an open house on 23 June.
The Tiger striped FX52 had been seen for the first time on 8 June and after the Tiger Meet it flew around at least until 2 August when it visited Leeuwarden AFB. Also it was reported that in November it still had its Tiger livery at Kleine Brogel AB. During the open house at Schlesswig Jagel on 22 and 23 July 1978 this FX52 was one of the highlights on the static show.
439sq: CF-104 104706, 104795, 104810, 104899.
31Smaldeel: F-104G FX33, FX52(TIGER).
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6705/53-03, MM6729/53-02, MM6764/53-07, MM6881/53-12.
The Belgium 31 Smaldeel won the Tiger Trophee this meet while Belgium Air Force Major Cornelissens won the Bronze Tiger Trophee.
FX52
FX86
FX52
FX86
104706
104795
FX15
MM6881
FX15
MM6881

 

CAMBRAI 18 till 25 June 1979

During this TigerMeet at Cambrai the Belgium 13 Smaldeel and Canadian 439 Squadron participated. The Canadians brought a Tiger striped CF-104. On 23 June an open house was held and 439 Squadron won the Tiger Trophee.
439sq: CF-104 104785, 104865, 104859, 104862(TIGER) and CF-104D 104653.
31Smaldeel: F-104G FX31, FX47, FX83 and FX96.
104653
104862
104785
104859
FX31
FX47
FX83
FX31
FX47
FX83

 

CAMERI June 1980

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during the TigerMeet held on its homebase. Also the Belgium 10Wing and some aircraft from 335Mira were available. About the Belgium Starfighters not much is known. It looks like FX93 was participating as well since it was seen 1 month later with lots of tiger badges and a white radome. We would not be amazed if this Starfighter encountered problems (birdstrike or other damage) with its radome and got a replacement radome from the Italians. Who knows more about this?
Aircraft seen during the meet on 14 June 1980 include:
10W : F-104G FX34 and likely FX93.
335Mira: TF-104G 62-12278/TF-278, F-104G 62-12314/FG-314
439sq: CF-104 104739 (marked "439" and TIGER colors), 104790, 104810 and one unknown CF-104.

 

BITBURG June 1981

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo and Canadian 439 Squadron participated during the TigerMeet held at Bitburg AFB. Aircraft were seen during the openhouse on 13 June. Canadian 439 Squadron won the Tiger Trophee.
All four Belgian Starfighters carried squadron markings from 23 Smaldeel (Devils), likely applied by that squadron at homebase Kleine Brogel prior their departure to Bitburg. The markings include big arrows applied over all the airintakes, big devils-head painted on the both aft section sides and the text "Devils eat more Tigers" which was written on the tiptanks. Soon after (at Bitburg) these markings were painted over by the 31 Smaldeel personnel with black painted on which yellow tiger claw-stripes were applied.
Aircraft seen at Bitburg during this 1981 Tiger Meet were:
439sq: CF-104 104713, 104749, 104761(TIGER) and 104848. CF-104 104749 was seen flying on 29th of June.
10Wing-31smaldeel: F-104G FX15, FX100 and TF-104G FC04, FC11.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6807/53-16, MM6???/53-04 and MM6849/53-02.
104761

 

GUTERSLOH 26 till 31 August 1982

During this TigerMeet also the Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated with at least two F-104S aircraft, both seen on 26 August 1982. Also the Canadian were there with one TIGER striped CF-104. Other squadrons were present as well.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6820/53-03, MM6825/53-20.
439sq: CF-104 104747 (replaced lateron by 104868), 104796 (TIGER), 104824, 104837, 104843.
31Smaldeel: FX20 and FX99.
FX99
104796
FX99

 

SOLLINGEN June 1983

At Sollingen its based 439 squadron participated during this TigerMeet.
439sq: CF-104 104706(TIGER), 104739, 104843 and CF-104D 104636.
 

 

LECK 13 till 19 August 1984

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during the TigerMeet. Aircraft were seen at least on 18 August.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6825/53-06

 

KLEINE BROGEL July 1985

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo and Canadian 439 Squadron participated during the TigerMeet. Aircraft were seen at least on 5 July.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6772/53-20, MM6935/53-16
439sq: CF-104 104847
MM6935
104847
MM6935

 

CAMBRAI June 1986

The only Starfighters which participated during this TigerMeet episode were the F-104S versions from 53Stormo - 21 Gruppo. Only two aircraft could be identified being F-104S MM6810/53-03 and MM6735/53-07, both seen on 15 and 18 June.
MM6810
MM6810

 

MONTIJO June 1987

During this TigerMeet also the Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated with at least three F-104S aircraft which were seen on 28 June.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6805/53-10, MM6806/53-14 and MM6881/53-15.

 

CAMERI July 1988

During this TigerMeet also the Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated with a number of F-104S aircraft. At least the TigerMeet was held on 9 and 10 July. One of the F-104S aircraft, MM6825/53-06, received a special Tiger color scheme.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6825/53-06(TIGER), MM6805/53-10 and MM6873/53-14.
MM6873
MM6873 code 53-14 seen at the static show during the 1988 Tiger Meet held at Cameri (Photo Jeroen Jonkers)

 

UPPER HEYFORD September 1990

53Stormo Starfighters participated during this mini-TigerMeet. There was a special press day on September 14th, 1990. Participating aircraft included Italian F-104S MM6802 53-14 from 21st Gruppo, Cameri AB.

 

FAIRFORD July 1991

53Stormo Starfighters as well as 192Filo Starfighters (Turkish Air Force) participated during this TigerMeet which was held during the AirTattoo. Aircraft were seen on the IAT static show on 19 and 20 July.
21Gruppo: F-104S-ASA MM6764/53-04 (Tiger c/s), MM6824/53-02
192Filo: F-104G 7037/9-037 and TF-104G 5911/9-911 (Tiger markings on tail).
5911
7037
6764
6824

 

ALBECETE 1992

It is unknown but 53Stormo Starfighters might have participated during this TigerMeet.

 

KLEINE BROGEL September 1993

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during the TigerMeet. Aircraft were seen on 11 September.
21Gruppo: F-104S MM6815/53-11, MM6912/53-03
MM6912


CAMBRAI May 1994

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during the TigerMeet held at Cambrai AB. Seen on 6 and 7th May:
21Gruppo: F-104S-ASA: MM6816/53-14, MM6848/53-04, MM6878/53-10.
MM6878
MM6816
MM6878 code 53-10 taxying during the 1988 Tiger Meet held at Cambrai, France (Photo Jeroen Jonkers)
MM6816 code 53-14 taxying during the 1988 Tiger Meet held at Cambrai, France (Photo Jeroen Jonkers)


BALIKESIR 22 till 29 May 1995 (mini Tiger Meet)

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during a mini Tiger Meet held at Balikesir AB. One of the aircraft which was seen was F-104S/ASA MM6822 with code 53-11 see photo beneath taken at the Balikesir flightline during the Tiger Meet static show.

MM6822

MM6822 (Ugur Ozkan)


BEJA 21 till 26 May 1996

The Italian 53Stormo-21Gruppo participated during the TigerMeet with also a TIGER colored F-104S-ASA. On 25 and 26 May an open house was held at Beja.
21Gruppo: F-104S-ASA MM6716/53-21 (TIGER c/s), MM6776/53-10, MM6822/53-11, MM6926/53-14.
MM6776

 

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