Dust Clouds

摘要

The Royal Netherlands Air Force began to equip with the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter at the end of 1962. Initially, 120 F-and RF-104Gs (the latter a tactical reconnaissance version) were ordered to replace its ageing Republic F-84Fs and RT-33As. Fokker built the first of what would eventually be over 230 examples, with 95 Starfighters being delivered between December 11, 1962, and May 20, 1965. The US also supplied tenTF-104G two-seat trainers, with deliveries from mid-1963, while eight more were constructed by Fokker. Dutch squadrons comprised 18 fighters and two trainers per unit, with No.306 becoming the first to be declared operational. Our subject, F-104G D-8245 was built by Fokker and attached to 312 Squadron, which was based at Volkel from April 1965 until June 14, 1984. This aircraft, which acquired the nickname Dusty Ⅱ, had the distinction of carrying out the air force's 1,000th towed gunnery target flight.