Lockheed TF-104G Starfighter

Single engine twin seat jet fighter/trainer

 

 

    On December 17th, 1963, the Belgian Government signed an agreement with Lockheed for the acquisition of 12 two seat Lockheed TF-104G Starfighters (initially 30 TF-104G’s were proposed). The initial three TF-104G were built at Lockheed Palmdale plant as TF-104G - model 583D (no complicated electronic systems as in the later TF-104G - model 583G, that was identical with the F-104G except for the missing gun, and some less fuel), the remaining nine two-seaters being assembled by SABCA from Lockheed CKD kits. Later the initial three TF-104G's were updated to the TF-104G model 583G Standards. The first Belgian F-104 conversion unit was the “Flight TF-104G” of the 1st Wing established at Beauvechain on June 15th, 1965 with the initial three Lockheed build TF’s. Late 1967, early 1968, saw the delivery of the nine remaining TF-104G (FC-04 to FC-12) of the Belgian order allowing the creation of an Operational Conversion Flight (OCF) under the 10th Wing at Kleine Brogel. By then, the OCF was responsible for the Starfighter pilot aircraft conversion course as weel as for the fighter-bomber conversion course. For its part, the Beauvechain based Flight TF-104G was responsible for the air-defence conversion course. The last TF-104G, FC-11 (together with F-104G FX-99) was finally retired at Kleine-Brogel on 26 September 1983.