need help locating ex BAF F-104 with nr FX52

[tiger-31]

Gentlemen,

I'm trying to find out the present whereabouts of an ex Belgian Airforce F-104 Starfighter, with number FX52.

The last trace I have is that it was in the collection of the Palis Foundation in Greece (Karelias, Koropiou). But that organisation seems to have vanished. I also found info that says it is in Kalivia.

So any f-104 lovers here on VP, or Greek members that can tell me where the aircraft is at present?

[Rufus]

It's Lockheed construction number is 9095, if that helps...

http://www.aerialvisuals.ca/AirframeDossier.php?Serial=115394

And in 2008 it was at Royal Air Force Museum Laarbruch, which i found listed as "last known owner"...but no recent pictures.

http://www.kle.nw.schule.de/laarbruch-museum/Versuch-RAF-Museum/museum_english.html

https://www.dreamstime.com/niederrhein-weeze-germany-may-two-lockheed-f-starfighter-fighter-jets-tarmac-former-british-airbase-raf-laarbruch-image103616141

[tiger-31]

@Rufus, thanks for the help. After the museum in Germany the plane moved to Greece. I think it is still there.

[Focaldesign]

To my knowledge it's still somewhere in Greece gathering dust and suffering in the open.
Nice to know, but VP member @spillone104 is actually the guy that restored the FX-52 in it's Tiger colors, later on seen during the Nato Tigermeet of 2009 at its homebase, 31 sqn at Kleine Brogel.

[tiger-31]

To my knowledge it's still somewhere in Greece gathering dust and suffering in the open.
Nice to know, but VP member @spillone104 is actually the guy that restored the FX-52 in it's Tiger colors, later on seen during the Nato Tigermeet of 2009 at its homebase, 31 sqn at Kleine Brogel.

Correct but I need to know where exactly in Greece it is. I have checked the facility in Kalivia with google earth, and I think it could be standing there but with its wings off. Just need confirmed where it is.

[raptor]

I've only found this site, mentioning FX52 at the bottom.

http://www.i-f-s.nl/preserved-f-104s/preserved-in-greece/

[salaxi54]

I have checked the facility in Kalivia with google earth, and I think it could be standing there but with its wings off. Just need confirmed where it is.

Fact is, there's more than one Kalivia locations in Greece. I don't know which one you refer to.
For example, there's Kalivia near Agrinion, where an Air Force base is located, and seems to have some old planes parked there, but Google maps doesn't focus enough to show details.
Look at: 38°36'09.0"N 21°22'11.6"E
Is it another Kalivia location you mentioned? There's also Kalivia in Attica, but if you think you saw something, coordinates would help a bit more!

[tiger-31]

Thanks for the help gents. Will get back on this with more info later today.

[tiger-31]

@raptor   @salaxi54

The plane is mentioned in the list on the following URL. The coordinates are also listed at the bottom of the page.

http://www.eurodemobbed.org.uk/locations.php?location=7794

I would like to know if FX52 is still at that location.

Any help appreciated

[salaxi54]

Ok, looks to be in Kalivia Koropi. Not real close to me, but if i ever pass near, i'll make a 'detour' to check. I suppose you mention the one that seems wingless and wrapped.
But i highly doubt that would be the one, as pictures show it in a huge warehouse at the same location, fully assembled. My thinking is, that it's not the only F-104 parked there..

[tiger-31]

Ok, looks to be in Kalivia Koropi. Not real close to me, but if i ever pass near, i'll make a 'detour' to check. I suppose you mention the one that seems wingless and wrapped.
But i highly doubt that would be the one, as pictures show it in a huge warehouse at the same location, fully assembled. My thinking is, that it's not the only F-104 parked there..

Thanks.

When FX52 left Belgium it was in restored condition. So I hope it is in some warehouse.

[spillone104]

Dear all,

I bought the FX52 in Dec 2004 in Peutie. In March 2004 I moved her to Laarbruch with the help of Peter Esser, who was with ''Flugleitung" at the time and great 104 enthousiast. In the mean while Dirk Bellens joined me as co-owner and from there on the restoration adventure started.

We restored her in the following years until she was unveiled in 2008. Luckily we could show her off during the 2009 Tigermeet at KB. We did all that we could to keep her in Belgium at KB or the Brussels Museum, but unfortunately no one was interested,which was a shame and a clear sign....
In 2010 we sold everything (FX52,Fouga, GPU's etc etc) to a Greek collection.

Just to be clear, there is always a lot of BS on FB and the internet about this a/c. As like ownership, we were the sole and only owners of this beauty (no Laarbruch museum or what so ever).
Restoration "team"...It was restored by myself and Dirk with occasional help from Marco (and his wife),Alex, Flip, "de Koen" and both our fathers.

It's a shame we had to let her go, but we had no choice at that period.

May I ask you why you are looking for the where abouts at this moment?

Best regards.

[tiger-31]

@spillone104 thanks for clarifying things. Will get in touch with you via PM.

I would like to see it confirmed it still exists, and if possible where.

[tiger-31]

Sad to hear at the time there was not more interest to keep it in Belgium.

[Red Dog]

I remember seeing it at the NTM in Keebee in 2009



I also remember another great restauration F-104 project which was unveiled at Beauvechain in 2006
Were you part of that one as well Spillone?

[spillone104]

No, that wasn’t me. But that’s a very Nice resto as well😀