Starting in 1963 the Aeronautica Militare Italiana (AMI) received 125 Fiat-built F-104Gs (including 11 RF-104Gs) plus 12 Lockheed-built TF-104Gs and 16 Fiat-built TF-104Gs. The F-104Gs and TF-104Gs first entered service at Grosseto with 4° Stormo in 1963. This first generation Starfighter is preserved in a superb condition and is showing the old and stylish colours of the AMI.

Photographer unknown

Photographer unknown

Photographer Frank Smith

w/o 9 October 1989

inaugurated for 50th anniversary of 53° Stormo

Photographer unknown

Built in 1966

Picture was taken by Fiorenzo Balboni and part of the International F-104 Society collection (shared by Ben Marselis). The aircraft used code 5-01 between November 1969 and February 1973.

Photographer nknown - This Starfighter was painted up as "MM6945" to represent the F-104S-ASA prototype

This aircraft was withdrawn from use in Villafranca in September 1985. 3 Stormo was its last operational unit. Then used by Aeritalia to create a mock-up of the ASA conversion of the F-104S under development. It initially received the fake MM6758 serial, that is the one of the real second ASA prototype, as photogrphed here in Milano Fiera d'Aprile. It was used for static displays in other events and in 1991 it was photographed being serialled MM6945, the serial of the real first ASA prototype. It is now preserved in Grosseto, at the local museum of the Base, wearing a special colour scheme.

Photographer unknown - wfu March 1984 with 2901 flight hours