The RF-104G (Lockheed Model 683-04-10) was the tactical
reconnaissance version of the F-104G. The RF-104G was more-or-less
similar to the F-104G, but had the 20-mm cannon and its 725-round
magazine removed and replaced by a camera system. Lockheed built 40
examples of the RF-104G, the North Group delivered 119, and the
Italian Group manufactured 30. Most of the RF-104Gs had three KS-67A
cameras mounted in the forward fuselage, although the aircraft for
Holland’s Koninklijke Luchtmacht had their cameras carried in an
external ventral camera pack. The machines carrying internal cameras
could be recognized by the presence of a small bump underneath the
forward fuselage which included part of the nosewheel doors. In
addition, they could be identified by the presence of camera windows
in the side of the fuselage and by the fairing over of the cannon port
bulge. In service, many RF-104Gs were subsequently modified to
standard armed F-104G standard, although the reverse also happened as
well.
Some RF-104Gs were purchased by MAP funds and were assigned USAF serial numbers for record-keeping purposes although they never served with the USAF. Other RF-104Gs were owned by the West German Luftwaffe but actually ended up operating at bases in the USA. These planes were painted in USAF insignia and carried USAF serial numbers.
Sources:
-
The Lockheed F-104G/CF-104, Gerhard Joos, Aircraft in Profile No.
131, Doubleday, 1969.
-
The World’s Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery Books, 1989.
-
Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Steve Pace, Motorbooks International,
1992.
-
Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
Press, 1987.
-
The American Fighter, Enzo Angelucci and Peter Bowers, Orion, 1987.
-
The World’s Fighting Planes, William Green, Doubleday 1968.
-
American Combat Planes, Ray Wagner, Third Enlarged Edition, Doubleday,
1982.
- Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, John Fricker, Wings of Fame, Vol 2, Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1996.
