Hartmut Rehorsch, a German businessman, has invested over $150,000 in purchasing and decommissioning a German air force F-104 Starfighter jet, which he intends to showcase on the rooftop of his factory.
Perched high above his welding equipment company in Stuttgart’s Zuffenhausen district, the jet has undergone 800 man-hours of preparation before its careful installation as a four-ton structure.
A testament to bravery and a tribute to the courageous pilots who once flew it, the 56-year-old former pilot asserts that the jet is there to stay.
He maintains that prior to the plane’s installation, he consulted with local planning authorities, who did not reject his initiative, interpreting their silence as implicit approval.
In contrast, the nearby residents have expressed their dissatisfaction, sending letters to the local authorities to question the legality of the jet’s position, demanding its removal. They argue it represents a visual eyesore and is a clear violation of planning regulations.
Residents have reached out to district director Juergen Hörrmann, insisting that “the thing comes off.” Mr. Hörrmann seeks to clarify all the matters involved first.
“We have frequently clashed with Mr. Rehorsch over issues like this,” he states. “This is nothing short of a display of power by Mr. Rehorsch, demonstrating that he believes he can act unilaterally.”
The region’s Construction Law Office has also been in touch with Rehorsch, indicating that the Starfighter constitutes a planning amendment requiring approval, as explained by Baurechtsamt Director Kirsten Ricke.
“It does not meet the criteria to be considered a monument,” he adds.
His office has no explanation as to why Herr Rehorsch’s request was previously unaddressed. A new consultation process is set to commence soon, allowing residents to voice their opinions. However, it remains uncertain if Herr Rehorsch’s wishes will be realized, and the fighter may ultimately be removed.
Rehorsch regards the jet as a memorial for fallen pilots, some of whom he knew personally.
The F-type 104 G Starfighter never flew under the German flag during wartime and has been dubbed “widow-maker” or “coffin fighter” by Luftwaffe and Navy pilots due to frequent malfunctions of its hydraulics, electronics, and engines.
