Bound for home carrying souvernirs, finns from tiptanks.
The "dream"
machine.
TF-104G ASA-M
Two happy travellers;
Erik Dahlen (left) and Oddmund Olsen
Martin Baker IQ7A
Pilot og tekniker er straks klar for oppstart ved den italienske flybasen
Grosseto.
755 at Kjeller
Eivind Schibbye
Kjell Kallbekkdalen Will lead the work, first to analyse the aircrafts
technical condition, and later to make it airworthy.
Strengthened readyness 17. okt 2004
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We now have two shelters, an ops-room, restroom and other important facilities at our disposal. Future board- and member meetings will take place here. A much needed "facelift" will be started this fall. Leader of the house committee is former linchief 334sqd; Jan Ivar Johansen. Our ambition is to restore the site to its original standard, thereby maintaining the the "cold war" feeling still present in these concrete walls and iron doors.
The Grosseto visit 3.may 2004
The trip to Italy started Friday 30th, with a visit to Pisa on Friday evening and Saturday. On Saturday afternoon we continued to Grosseto by train. Sunday was spent sightseeing lovely Tuscany including a visit to the old villages Sovana, Sorana and Pitigliano. Monday afternoon we returned to Pisa by train and joined an evening flight back to Oslo.
The visit to the base on Monday was fantastic.
Our guides during the visit on the base were Capt. Scotti and Capt. Zanchetta. We received a briefing about Grosseto Airbase and the F-104 history in the Italian Airforce. We visited most of the base including 20.Gruppo were the F-104 is still being operated. The visit gave us a good impression of maintenance as well as F-104 operations. As normal flight-operations were conducted, we enjoined to witness takeoffs, landings and a couple of lowpasses. Everybody received a cockpit demonstration of both the S and the TF model. We were not restricted in shooting pictures and video.
As the first Eurofighters are in place at Grosseto, we also received a briefing on this aircraft, itıs cockpit layout and performance.
The hospitality we were shown was simply fantastic! In addition to our two guides for the day, we would like to thank Capt. Duratti, who arranged the visit, and Col. Rosso, Chief 4th Stormo.
Info 12. dec 2003
This picture gives a good impression of the left wingmounting on 637 after the panels have been removed. The leadingedge flap actuator is clearly visible. Everything looks clean and nice with no sign of corrosion.
Info 26. oct 2003
This special painted
F-104S tells us that Grosseto has maintained F-104 for 40 years resulting
in a total of more than 240 000 F-104 flight hours. Squadron commander
20.Gruppo, maj. Giovanni Balestri
Einar Smedsvig and Helge Andreassen had the great pleasure of visiting Grosseto Air Base, Italy during 12th-14th october. Grosseto AB is the main maintenance base for F-104 within the Italian Airforce. The purpose of the visit was to introduce our work with 637 and to check out the possiblity for obtaining technical support from the Italian AF. The visit turned out very positive.
No formal agreement for support was establihed during this short visit. We have, however, reasons to be optimistic in the question of support in the future. Italy will be teminating all F-104 operations by the end of next year. We would like to express our warmest thanks to Col. Alberto Rosso and Capt. Denis Gallina for a most interesting and enjoyable visit to Grosseto Air Base.
Info 3.aug 2003
Friends of Starfighter has been present at two air shows this summer. The first one took place at Kjeller, close to Oslo, the second one at Torp. Erik Nærby, Kjeller is keeping 755 shining, and Tom Nilsen has done a great job with 889. Both CFs looks as if they are ready for flying any time. These nice looking airplanes clearly shows the enthusiasm within the starfighter community in Norway. Congratulations to Erik and Tom.
Tom Nilsen
On Sunday, 24.august, many members visited the museum at Gardermoen, where Maj.gen(ret) Eivind Schibbye told interested listeners about the "phasing-in" of the F-104 into the RNoAF. Schibbye was squadron commander at 331sqd at that time. Under excellent leadership, the change from F-86D to F-104G went without any serious accidents. Later, friends of the starfighter took over the podium informing about the status of the work with 637.
After a rather "calm" summer, the work with 637 will be picking up speed again this fall. This fall will bring us some important answers concerning the future of the project.
Info 23.may 2003
On the 15.may, the aft-section was removed in order to roll back the engine.
With the engine removed, 637 is ready for crack-inspections. Since 637
was on static display during a hangar concert this week-end, the aft-section
was put back on again. Norways international known trumpet player, Ole
Edvard Antonsen, was the attraction of the evening. After he landed from
his F-16 backseat-ride, he visited 637. As you can see on the picture,
he seems to be enjoying the CF-cockpit as well. We are welcoming Ole as
a new member of our team.
Info 21.mar 2003
Friends of the starfighter held its first board-meeting and members-evening in Bodø on 20th of mars. Thirty people attended the meeting which was rounded up with a visit to Bodø Airstation, giving the members a good possibility to watch 637 at "close up". All agree that 637 looks just great, this bird is in good condition! Our technical team will have the preliminary technical report ready on the first of June. During this winter, great progress has been made as far as spare-parts and tools are concerned. This has been achieved due to excellent support from the Museum of Defence. As far members is concerned, our community is growing with good pace, we are approaching 100 members.
Info 5. feb 2003
A key element in the work with 637 is in place. On the 16th of January, "Friends of the Starfighter" was established as a formal organisation. This will be the single most important "support-team" for "project 637". The membership fee, will give the board the necessary economic platform for its future work. Of the boards seven members, four live in Bodø, while three live in the Oslo area. We hope everyone who are keeping an eye on the work with 637, will join in as members.
Latest news on 637 is that the inertial nav-system has been tested with good results. This clearly shows that our bird has been stored under excellent conditions.
Info 5. dec 2002
The electric system of 637 was tested on wednesday 5.dec With eight mechanics present, the cockpit manned, the shelter-door open and a firetruck on alert, the power was connected. The result was better than expected, all transformers worked, both the AC and the DC systems came on line and the airplane woke up after its 20 year "beautysleep". The radar, LN-3(heating did not come on) and radio/nav did not function. There will be more testing taking place before x-mas, chances are the hydraulic will be pressurized and the landing gear operated.
Info 19. nov 2002
The first technical meeting took place i Bodø thursday 14.nov.02. Plans were set up for evaluations of future needs for spareparts, special equipment, tools, manpower etc.
The electrical systems
will be powered up in the near future.
The heavy maintenance work will be started in 2003.
Everybody is keen on getting started. We are optimistic!
Info 1. nov 2002
What has taken place since the rollout on sep.13?
637 is on "homeground" at Bodø Airstation. For the time being, she is parked in one of the hard-shelters awaiting permanent parking-space in a hangar which is under reconstruction. The work with this hangar is delayed and the hangar will not be available until January. The shelter is not a very comfortable place to do heavy maintenance, The plane has been stored with fuel and hydraulic fluids on board, luckily! These fluids together with engine oil will be analysed. We will put pressure on the hydraulic system and perform some testing of the electric systems as well.
Many of our key-persons have been very busy this fall. The leader of the maintenance team, Kjell Kallbekkdalen, has had trouble getting everybody together for the first "strategy-meeting". But the meeting will take place in the near future. We will try to keep you all updated on the subject.
