Canadian Warplanes 6: Canadair CF-104 Starfighter

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

The CF-104 Starfighter was an impressive looking aircraft from all angles. Photo taken from a Tutor photo pod of a CF-104 over a runway.

The F-104 Starfighter was designed by Kelly Johnson and his team in 1952, at Lockheed’s legendary "skunk works" in Burbank, California. The USAF ordered two prototypes in early 1953 and the XF-104 first flew in February 1954. Records established by the F-104 Starfighter are impressive: world altitude & speed records of 91,240 feet and 1,404 mph respectively in May 1958, world altitude record raised to 103,395 feet in December 1958 and unofficial world altitude record of 120,800 feet in December 1963.

The Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (CF-111, CL-90) is a modified version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter supersonic fighter aircraft built in Canada by Canadair under licence. It was primarily used as a ground attack aircraft, despite being designed as an interceptor. It served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and later the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) until it was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet.

Canadair's internal designation was CL-90 while the RCAF's version was initially designated CF-111, then changed to CF-104. Although basically similar to the F-104G, the CF-104 was optimized for the nuclear strike/reconnaissance role, fitted with R-24A NASARR equipment dedicated to the air-to-ground mode only as well as having provision for a ventral reconnaissance pod equipped with four Vinten cameras. Other differences included retaining the removable refuelling probe, initial deletion of the fuselage-mounted 20 mm (.79 in) M61A1 cannon (replaced by an additional fuel cell) and the main undercarriage members being fitted with longer-stroke liquid springs and larger tires.

The CF-104 entered Canadian service in March 1962. Originally designed as a supersonic interceptor aircraft, it was used primarily for low-level strike and reconnaissance by the RCAF. Eight CF-104 squadrons were originally stationed in Europe as part of Canada's NATO commitment. (Wikipedia)

RCAF On Strength (193), Canadian Aircraft Losses (36). Detailed records of all known RCAF and Canadian aviation losses may be viewed on line in the Canadian Aircraft Serials Personnel Information Resource (CASPIR). The  CASPIR website is researched, coded, maintained entirely by Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) volunteers with only one staff assisting periodically. This work has taken several years and is unlikely to be finished as continuing research leads to “new finds” and rediscovered Canadian aviation heritage and history.  The CWHM volunteer team looks forward to continuing to update and correct the record as additional information and photos are received. Check here.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Canadair CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 12704), with CEPE or AETE depending on when the photo was taken.  It later became a training aid and was given the new serial number 820C and used in ABDR.

The Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (CF-111, CL-90) was a modified version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter supersonic fighter aircraft built under licence in Canada by Canadair.  It was primarily used as a ground attack aircraft, despite being designed as an interceptor.  It served with the RCAF and later the Canadian Armed Forces until it was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas CF-118 Hornet.

Canadair 683A CF-104 Starfighter (200), (Serial Nos. 12701-12900), Lockheed CF-104D Mk. 1 (22), (Serial Nos. 12631-12652), Mk. 2 (16), (Serial Nos. 12653-12668), for a total of 38 two-seat variants, Lockheed F-104A (1), (Serial No. 12700), for a total of 239 of all Marks.  The Serial Numbers changed from 12--- to 104-- in 1970. 36 Starfighters were lost by the Canadian Forces.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler).

Lockheed F-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 104700).  This was the first RCAF Starfighter, ex-USAF F-104A-LO, (Serial No. 56-0770).  This aircraft first flew in 1957 with the USAF and eventually, after a few years in storage, it became the test bed for the CF-104 avionics still as an F-104A.  It was delivered to the RCAF on 27 June 1963. It served at Cold Lake, Alberta, in 1963 and then went t the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE) at RCAF Station Uplands, Ontario, in 1965.  This aircraft set the Canadian altitude record of 100,110 ft on 14 December 1967, flown by W/C R. A. White of CEPE, out of RCAF Station Uplands.  It only had 780 airframe hours on it when it was transferred to the now Canadian Aviation and Space Museum.   In the first photo, taken at Burbank, California, the aircraft had a mix of RCAF/USAF markings.  On the tail it had 60770 (abbreviated 56-0770) and on the forward fuselage was RCAF + 770.  In later photos it is wearing the CEPE "X" on the tail and 700 + RCAF.  The Lockheed built duals were in the serial range 12631-12668 and the single seat Canadair built aircraft were in the serial range 12701-12900.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler).

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler).

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler).

(aeroprints Photo)

Lockheed F-104A Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12700), Canada Aviation and Space Museum, Ottawa, Ontario.

(RCAF Photo)

The servicing of jet fighters requires the talents of skilled ground crewmen. Cpl. P.R. Standial and Cpl. G. Shadwell and Cpl. Jar Peters work on a CF-104 Jet Fighter at CEPE, CFB Uplands, Ontario. (Steve McKenzie.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, Cold Lake, Alberta, 6 ST-R OTU, 1962.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial Nos. 12701, 12702, 12703, 12704, and 12705), Royal Flush.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial Nos. 12701, 12702, 12703, 12704, and 12705), Royal Flush.  CFB Cold Lake, on the Northwest Corner of the ramp in front of what is now AETE's hangar.  These were the first five Starfighters delivered to AETE.  The wings were painted "anti-flash" white and used on 1950s nuclear bombers (hence the Avro Arrow was all white).  It was designed to protect the aircraft and its crew from the effects of a nuclear bomb flash.

(RCAF Photos)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12701) being loaded on an RCAF Lockheed C-130B Hercules transport.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Photo pod carried by the CF-104 on its fuselage centre line rack with Vinten F-95 70 mm cameras. The cameras were used in the 60's and early 70's when the 104 was in the Strike/Recce role. Photo caption reads " Cpl. Vic Johnson (Yes I believe it is the famous Vic Johnson) and Cpl. Mel Lundy, both Photo Techs, carry out photo pod inspection". (Mike Kaehler)

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12701) with Canadian ensign.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12701) with Canadian ensign.

(CL Photo via Serge L'Hostie)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12702), equipped with the 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod, Cartierville, Quebec.  

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12703) was the first Canadair-built 104 to fly from Cartierville, therefore (Serial No. 12702) would have been transported to California by Lockheed C-130 Hercules for its first flight.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 12703), and (Serial No. 12862).  Both aircraft served at 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France from 1968 to June 1970.  Authority to convert the registration numbers on the CF-104 from 12--- to 104--- was given in June 1970.  
12703 survives today in pristine condition at the Canadian Starfighter Museum at the St. Andrew's airport near Winnipeg, Manitoba and 12862 is, or at least was, on display in Turkey.

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12703), unveiled on 12 July 2018, Canadian Starfighter Museum, St. Andrews Airport, Manitoba.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Canadair CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 12704), with CEPE or AETE depending on when the photo was taken.  It later became a training aid and given the new serial number 820C and used in ABDR.

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(Colin Philippe Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104706), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, ca 1970s.

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104713), weapons options.

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104713), weapons options.

(Mike Freer, Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104720), No. 421 Squadron based at Baden Soellingen, Germany.

(RCAF Photo via Fred Paradie)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, CAF (Serial No. 104721), and CAF (Serial No. 12829), Norvenich, Germany, June 1969.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104730), No. 417 Squadron, at the head of the flight line at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104731). The pilot is about to board 731 for a flight. His parachute is all done up and his spurs are on. Cold Lake flight line in front of No. 417 Squadron, c1970.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104731).

(stemcat5 Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 104731), C/N 683A-1031, Comox Air Force Museum, CFB Comox, British Columbia. This aircraft has been moved to Victoria, BC.

(DND Archives Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 12732), Lockheed CF-104B (Serial No. 12639), Canadair CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 12754), in a line of 21 at RCAF Station Cold Lake, before 1965.  104832 went to the Royal Danish Air Force (RDAF) No. 723 Squadron and No. 726 Squadron.It is now on display at Aalborg AB, Denmark.

(Mike Freer, Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104733), No. 439 Squadron based at Baden Soellingen, Germany.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial Nos. 12747, 12737, 12847 and 12759 visible), equipped with Vinten Vicom camera recce pods, in formation.  These fighters were based at No. 1 (F) Wing, 1 Air Division, RCAF Station Marville, France, May 1965. 1 Canadian Air Division (1 CAD), 1 Canadian Air Group (1 CAG), Canadian Forces Europe (CFE), served 1952-1993.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12738), before 1965.

On 13 Aug 1965,  CF-104 12738 was being flown by F/L Seitz on his way back to Baden Soellingen from Sardinia, when his aircraft had an engine failure on the climb-out from Decimomannu.  F/L Allan Seitz, who was no stranger to ejecting from aircraft as this was his second ejection, ejected from 12738 and landed in the Mediterranean.  He was picked up by a fishing boat on a very rough sea, and later an Italian helicopter returned him to Decimomannu.  His aircraft crashed and exploded as it hit solid rock on the small prison island of Asinara.  No one was injured, nor were any buildings damaged.  The wreckage of the aircraft created a real problem, as all those pieces of metal laying around could have been turned into weapons by the prisoners.  This made for a tough salvage job to clean up, but there was no lack of manpower as they  had the prisoners and their guards. Return cleanup trips had to be made as the guards found more pieces and insisted they be taken away.  (Mike Kaehler)

If not for the fishing boat, F/L Seitz might have drowned.  His dinghy was blown away in strong winds.  The fishermen performed artificial respiration when they got him aboard.  He was hospitalized in Cagliari for a few days due to the possibility of Pneumonia from salt water irritation in his lungs.  (Bernard Goodman)

The “ thank you” party that the Squadron organized for the fishermen is legendary and a testament to the camaraderie of the RCAF pilots in those days!  (Grant MacDonald)

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial No. 12740) and (Serial No. 12735), ca 1960s.

(CAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104743), Spangdahlem AFB, Germany, 1970.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104A Starfighters (Serial No. 104783, 104753 and 104744) Deadeye Zips (Alberta Arrows) of 1977.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 2266826)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104749), Canada stamp.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104751), CFB Baden-Soellingen.

(Author Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104753), camouflage, mounted on a pylon, Air Force Heritage Museum and Air Park, CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba.

(DND Archives Photo)

Canadair CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 104705), AETE, carrying a full load of BL-755 cluster bombs.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter loaded with BL 755 Cluster munition.

(Mike Freer, Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104756), 1 Canadian Air Group based at Baden Soellingen, Germany.

(DND Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12758) in a NATO formation with a German Air Force Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, a USAF McDonnell F-4 Phantom II, an RAF Hawker Hunter, a Belgian Republic RF-84F Thunderflash and a Dutch Lockheed RF-104G Starfighter, c1969.

(NATO Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104758), German Air Force F-104, and a USAF RF-4C Phantom II.  The Phantom is from the 38th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 26th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing based at Ramstein Air Base.  The 'RR” tail code began to be used on the 1st of April, 1970 and continued until January, 1973.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104763). With No. 417 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, when it was with the Deadeye Zip team of 1979.  Special red white and blue paint scheme for Squadron stand-down, from July 1983.  Still in this scheme when it arrived at CFD Mountain View, Ontario for storage and eventual disposal. On display at the Reynolds Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta in 1995, reported on loan from government.  Also was a Pedestal Monument, at CFB Edmonton, dates unknown.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104764).

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104766), preserved at Egeskov Veterans Museum, (EVM), Fyn, Denmark.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12767), with bomb dispenser, taking off, c1964.

(Henk Schakelaar Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104770), No. 439 Squadron, 1972 NATO Tiger Meet at Base Aérienne de Cambrai, France.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial No. 12771). Preserved at Aalborg AB, Denmark.

(DND Photo via Eric Desbiens)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12773).

(DND Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104774), with Captain Don Robinson going through a Pre-Flight Check in the cockpit, with No. 417 Tactical Fighter Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, 1978. Don wears his 439 Sqn decorated helmet, is going through 20% RPM on the start sequence and his mission is to fly low-level route number 16. During the start sequence the pilot uses his hand to signal the percent RPM to the tech as it winds up. In this photo the blurred middle finger shows me that the RPM has just achieved 20%. At 50% the signal to disconnect the external air is given and the engine winds up to speed under its own power. The pilot's route map with the number 16 is visible in the right forward windscreen. (Daryl Pajot)

(Author Photos)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104774), 5 Area Support Group (5 ASG), LFQA, CFB Valcartier, Quebec.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial Nos. 781, 854, 868 and 862), over Europe.  All four are equipped with the 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod.

(Author Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104783), Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum, Goffs, Nova Scotia.

(Lucky Al Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12784), CAF (Serial No. 104784), CFB St-Jean-sur-le-Richelieu, Quebec.

(DND Photo viaJames Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104785), checkerboard paint scheme, No. 441 Silver Fox Tactical Fighter Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104785), No. 441 Silver Fox Tactical Fighter Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(Dschm68ra Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 683A-1085), painted as CAF (Serial No. 104785), mounted on a pylon, Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(Peter Bakema Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104790), painted as CAF (Serial No. 104756), Tiger Meet colours, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario.

(DND Photo via Gordon Zans)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104792).

(Author Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104792), 794B, previously RCAF (Serial No. 12792), mounted on a pylon, CFB Borden, Ontario.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104795), preserved at Ana Jet Us, Erhac, Turkey.

(RCAF Photo via Daniel Racette)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12797).

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12797).

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter line up (Serial Nos. 12627, 12823 and 12808) at 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrucken, Germany, 1963.

(DND Photo via Gordon Zans)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104808), CFB Baden-Soellingen.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12810).  HRH Prince Philip receiving a personalized tour of a pristine CF-104 Starfighter at 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrucken, West Germany in the early 1960s.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104814), preserved in theNorth Zealand Aviation Museum (NZAM), Slaerup, in Denmark.

(SDA&SM Archives Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12817).

(Henk Schakelaar Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12821), home-based at 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, with the original RCAF markings.  It was photographed by Henk during the 1967 Tactical Weapons Meet at RAF Wildenrath, Germany, (close to the Dutch border), on 28 June 1967.  The aircraft is marked with the 3 Wing emblem, and the 1967 Tactical Weapons Meet emblem designed for the participants of 4ATAF.  This CF-104 later had an engine failure on approach to CFB Baden Soellingen on 10 Jan 1983. The pilot ejected safely

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12821), home-based at 3 (F) Wing, Zweibrücken, Germany.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 12829).

(Henk Schakelaar Photo)

Canadian CF-104 Starfighter RCAF (Serial No. 12833), at the 1969 NATO Tiger Meet, Woodbridge, UK.  12833 was sold to the Luftforsvaret (Norwegian Air Force) in August 1974 and crashed near Andøya (North of Norway) in the sea 10 June 1978.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104838), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, 1969.

(John Davies Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104838), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, 31 Dec 1976.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104838), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, 31 Dec 1976.

(DND Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104838), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, 1977.

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104838), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, 1977.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial No. 12845), (Serial No. 12888 and (Serial No. 12887)

(Mr Marnier Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12846), Air Force Museum of Alberta, co-located with The Military Museums, Calgary, Alberta.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12899) and (Serial No. 12850), with 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pods.

(Master Sgt. H.D. Robinson, U.S. Air Force photo 342-C-KE-62480)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104859), No. 439 Tactical Fighter Squadron at Kleine Brogel Air Base, Belgium, in July 1970, during the "NATO Tiger Meet '70", a weapons competition involving fighter squadrons from NATO countries who bear the Tiger symbol.  Note the reconnaissance pod.

(RCAF Photo via James Craik)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter with various stores.  The 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod is shown at the left of the photo.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4816374)

70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod being shown to Canada's Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson by Wing Commander Bob Edwards and RCAF Officers during a visit to 1 (F) Wing, Marville, France, 18 Jan 1964.

(Allied Air Forces Central Europe (AIRCENT) Photo)

French Mirage, German, Belgian, Canadian, Netherlands Starfighters, USAF Thunderchief and a RAF Javelin during Operation Seven-Up a tactical weapons meet at RAF Wildenrath, West Germany on April, 1964.

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(RCAF Photo)

Radar Tech. Cpl. K. Hopkins inspects electrical equipment of a CF-104 Starfighter at 1 Wing Lahr, Germany.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104862) equipped with the 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod.

(Richard Vandervord Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104865), 14 Aug 1971.

(Bernie Lind Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12868), equipped with the 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod.

(DND Archives Photo, IL69-64-1)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12870) over Hohenzollern Castle, Germany.

(SDA&SM Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, RCAF (Serial No. 12887) and RCAF (Serial No. 12845).

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12888, equipped with the 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod.

(RCAF Photo via Mike Kaehler)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 12891), c1970s.

(RCAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12898), with drag-chute deployed.  This aircraft is equipped with a 70-mm Vinten VICON camera pod.

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighters, RCAF

(DND Photo via Fred Paradie)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12633) on the landing roll out with its drag chute deployed.  The Safety Systems techs recovered and packed theses chutes.

(Graeme Hayes Photos)

Lockheed CF-104D RCAF (Serial No. 12633), later (Serial No. 104633), Reg. No. N104, is currently with the KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, British Columbia.

(DND Photo via The Aviation Titan)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12640).

(DND Photo via Keith Gathercole)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12640).

(NHL4Hamilton Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12641), c/n 563A-5311, mounted on a pylon, Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, Mount Hope, Ontario.

(RCAF Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104645).

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12645), CAF (Serial No. 104645), CAF Instructional airframe, (Serial No. 878C), CAF ABDR (Serial No. 212AC), Canadian Museum of Flight, Langley, British Columbia.

(Dan Preso, DND Photo via Francois Dutil)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104646), AETE, flown by Jim Evers (front seat) and John Croll above CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(Dan Preso, DND Photo via Daryl Pajot)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104646), AETE, flown by Jim Evers (front seat) and John Croll, further in the loop, above CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.

(DND Photo via Chris Charland)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104646), with AETE at CFB Cold Lake Alberta.

(Author Photos)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104646), National Air Force Museum of Canada, CFB Trenton, Ontario.  This dual-seat Starfighter served with the No. 6 Operational Training Unit in Cold Lake, Alberta, during the 1960s.  The ‘X’ marking on the tail indicates that it was also operated by Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment, a unit that evaluates safety and effectiveness of air force aircraft.  When 104646 flew from Cold Lake to Trenton in 1983, it was the last Starfighter to fly in Canada.  It was stored at the Mountainview storage facility before it was acquired by the museum.  (NAFMC)

(DND Photo via James Craik)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104647), night engine run up.

(DND Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104651), Cold Lake, Alberta, night run up. 651 is tied down at a run-up pad in Cold Lake with a thrust deflector behind it. This aircraft later suffered a bird strike on 24 Jun 1980 and crashed near Cold Lake. The pilots ejected safely. In the Alberta Aviation Museum in Edmonton there is an ex Dutch F-104 (D5805) marked as 104651.

(Richard Filiatrault)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, Royal Netherlands Air Force (Serial No. D-5805), painted as CAF (Serial No. 104651).  The real 104651 crashed on 24 Jun 1980 due to an engine bird strike.  Both pilots, one a Canadian Captain and the other a German exchange Pilot, successfully ejected and survived.  They were present at the Museum’s revealing of the restored aircraft.  Alberta Aviation Museum, Edmonton, Alberta.

(DND Photo via Gorrdon Zans)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104653).

(Mike Freer, Touchdown Aviation Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104653), based at Baden Soellingen, Germany, 3 July 1976.

(DND Photo via Gorrdon Zans)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, RCAF (Serial No. 12661).

(Henk Schakelaar Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104666).

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Canadair CF-104 Starfighter data bank:

The Starfighter was a tactical bomber designed for all-weather strike-reconnaissance role.  Also called the “Widow-maker” due to the high number of casualties among the user nations, the CF-104 was first delivered to the RCAF in 1961.  The first Canadian-built model was a version of the F-104G built by Canadair.  The fastest aircraft to serve in Canada’s Air Force, the Starfighter was derived from the Lockheed F-104.  It was powered by a General Electric J-79-GE 7 engine.  In design and ancillary equipment, the Starfighter incorporated several unique features, the most distinguishing of which was an extremely short, thin wing with a knife-sharp leading edge.  The CF-104 was taken-on-strength (TOS) by the RCAF in March 1961 and was used as a nuclear strike/reconnaissance aircraft until 1972, when it was re-designated as a ground attack aircraft.  It replaced the Sabre.  The Starfighter was used in Europe as part of Canada’s NATO commitment, located at bases in France and Germany. (Internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadair_CF-104.)  

Most were retired by 1986, and it would appear that Captain Eric Thurston landed the last Starfighter to fly in Canadian Forces service on final delivery to the Turkish Air Force at Diyarbakir, Turkey in 1986. (E-mail LGen Huddleston/Maj Skaarup, 27 April 2009.)

The McDonnell Douglas CF-188 Hornet gradually replaced the Starfighter.

The F-104A was the first production version of the Starfighter.  The Lockheed 583A Starfighter was a USAF variant of the F-104 flown by a number of RCAF pilots.  The CF-104D Mk. 1 was a two-seat trainer version of the CF-104 built by Lockheed for the RCAF and powered by a licence-built J79-OEL-7 engine.  The Mk. 2 was also a two-seat trainer.

           The first unit to operate the Starfighter was No. 6 Strike/Reconnaissance Operational Training Unit (6 ST/R OTU), which later became No. 417 Squadron and trained personnel for the entire program.  On unification date the NATO establishment was split between three bases in Germany.  On 19 September 1970, 1 Canadian Air Group, (1 CAG) replaced the 4 (F) Wing title.  At the end of 1971 the nuclear role was dropped with both strike/attack squadrons converting to the conventional attack role.  This saw a major change to Starfighter appearance and introduced the M61 Vulcan 20mm cannon, on single-seat aircraft, not previously installed on Canadian operated aircraft.  Air-to-ground conventional weapons were added to fulfil the role.

           The reconnaissance role was dropped by No. 439 Squadron in mid 1972 when it also switched to conventional mud-moving role.  Few reconnaissance pods were maintained in use after this.  This continued until squadrons started to stand down for the arrival of the Hornet.  The first to go was No. 439 Squadron on 29 November 1984.  This was followed by No. 421 Squadron in late 1985 and No. 441 Squadron in early 1986.  The first European based Hornets, from the newly equipped No. 409 Squadron, arrived in April 1985, thus both types were operated from CFB Baden-Soellingen for 10 months.  The Canadian Armed Forces exported surplus aircraft, with 22 going to Denmark. In 1971 and a further 22 went to Norway in 1972.  In January 1986, 50 CF-104s began their transfer to Turkey.

           The RCAF Starfighter fleet carried the serial range of 12701 to 12900 for the Canadair manufactured single-seat CF-104, with 12631 to 12652 and 12653 to 12668 for the Lockheed-built CF-104D Mk 1 and Mk 2.  Starting on 28 July 1970 the fleet received new serials to fall into the new Canadian Armed Forces designation system.  The single-seat CF-104 became 104701 to 104900 and the two-seaters became 104631 to 104668.  In both cases the last three of the prior serial was maintained, replacing the prefix “12” with “104”.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter survivors in Canada:

CMF, Langley, British Columbia, Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 104645). The Museum’s aircraft was one of a number of Lockheed-built two place trainers, spending its flying career at Canadian Forces Base Cold Lake, Alberta, before becoming a battle-damage repair airframe at Mountain View, Ontario, near CFB Trenton.

CAFM, CFB Comox, British Columbia, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104731). No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.  Flew in unit’s 1972 display team at Moose Jaw air show.  Flown in solo displays in 1975 by F/L Dave Leach, RAAF.  Still with this unit in 1983.  Mounted on pedestal at CFB North Bay, Ontario shortly after being struck off.  On display at Comox Museum in 2005.

CFB Cold Lake Alberta, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104702), mounted on a pylon. Joe Hoffner Memorial Park at Grand Centre, Cold Lake, Alberta.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104816), painted as (Serial No. 104880), C/N 1116, built up from parts of (Serial No. 104816), and (Serial No. 104803), mounted on a pylon near Cold Lake.

Innisfail, Alberta, Canadian Military Members Memorial, Lockheed F-104F, C/N 5070, 29+17, painted as a CF-104, mounted on a pylon.

R-AM, Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104763). With No. 417 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, when it was with the Deadeye Zip team of 1979.  Special red white and blue paint scheme for Squadron stand-down, from July 1983.  Still in this scheme when it arrived at CFD Mountain View, Ontario for storage and eventual disposal.  On display at the Reynolds Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta in 1995, reported on loan from government.  Also was a Pedestal Monument, at CFB Edmonton, dates unknown.

AFHM&AP, CFB Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104753). With No. 417 TF (OT) Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.  Flew lead in squadron’s 1977 air display team, pilot was Capt. J.D. Bradshaw.  Later served with 10 Field Technical Training Unit at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, probably as a training aid.  Reported preserved at the Air Force Heritage Museum and Airpark in Winnipeg.

WCAM, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No.).

BBMM, CFB Borden, Ontario, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104792). With the Canadian Air Group at CFB Baden-Soellingen when struck off.  Repair instructional airframe.  Reported on display at CFB Borden, Ontario by 2006.

CALSM Markham, Ontario, Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 877C), Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 643), Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 644), Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 8-658), Turkey, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter (Serial No. FX-99), Belgium.

CA&SM, Ottawa, Ontario, Lockheed CF-104A Starfighter (Serial No. 104700). Transferred to National Air Museum in 1969, as RCAF 12700. Serial number remarked while in the museum, not clear if it was still on DND books at the time. Sometimes reported as a CF-104A, but this was unofficial.

Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, 215 Yonge Boulevard, North York, Toronto, Ontario, Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 104652).

CWHM, Mount Hope, Ontario, Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter (Serial No. 104641), painted as (Serial No. 12641), mounted on a pylon.  Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104790), painted as (Serial No. 104756). With Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment in 1970, for trials with Canadian developed practice bomb carrier.  With No. 417 Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta in 1975.  Later served with Canadian Air Group at CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.  Became a repair instructional airframe, 1860C and 875C. Still at Baden-Soellingen 1995.  At the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton by 2006.

NAFM, CFB Trenton, Ontario, Canadair CF-104G Starfighter (Serial No. 104646).

BADM, CFB Bagotville, Québec, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104704). At Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta, in 1975, still in AETE markings in 1983.  Became repair instructional hrs airframe 820C.  Still at Cold Lake in 1995.  Later to static display at Suffield, Alberta.  CF-104 construction number 1004, serial number 12704, built by Canadair, first flight 14 August 1961, taken on service by the RCAF as CF-104 serial number 12704 on 12 October 1961.  It was assigned initially to CEPE, which later was merged with several other units as AETE and it spent its entire career with the test units, re-serialized as 104704 effective June 2, 1970.  It became instructional hrs airframe “820B” (date unknown), and was reclassified as 820C on 18 October 1983 then became an ABDR training aid on 20 December 1989.   It went to the CFB Cold Lake fire dump (noted in April 1995) and was SOS on 2 May 1996. It went to CADC in 1996, and then to CFB Suffield, Alberta as “contaminated scrap” for ABDR at CFB Suffield, Alberta. It then was used for ABDR at CFB Suffield and then became a range target at CFB Suffield.  At some point, it was moved to the Bagotville Air Defence Museum (CFB Bagotville), (date Unknown) where it is stored in derelict condition, February 2002. Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104774), two hulks, one to be restored.

CFB St Jean, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Québec, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104784). Served with Canadian Air Group at CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.  Became a Pedestal Monument, at CFB Lahr, Germany.  Reported on display at College Militaire Royal at St. Jean, Québec, ca. 2006.

CFB Valcartier, Québec, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104774).  On display at 5 CDSB Valcartier, LFQA.

ACAM, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (Serial No. 104783). With No. 417 Squadron, CFB Cold Lake, Alberta.  With this unit’s Deadeye Whiskey display team in 1972.  With the Deadeye Zip team of 1976.  With the Alberta Arrows team in 1977.  Spent entire career at Cold Lake.  In storage at CFD Mountain View, Ontario in 1988.  Delivered to Halifax by truck in June 1989.  Preserved, on display at Atlantic Canada Aviation & Space Museum, Halifax.

KF Aerospace Centre for Excellence in Kelowna, British Columbia, Lockheed CF-104D RCAF (Serial No. 12633/104633), Reg. No. N104.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter survivors outside of Canada:

Aalborg AB, Denmark (Serial No. 104825).

Aalborg AB, Denmark (Serial No. 104832), RDAF No. 723 Squadron and No. 726 Squadron.

Aalborg AB, Denmark (Serial No. 104771).

Aalborg, Denmark Danish Science and Technical Museum (Serial No. 104888).

Billund, Denmark (Serial No. 104657).

Billund, Denmark (Serial No. 104846).

Billund, Denmark (Serial No.), Danish Air Force Museum (DAFM).

Skrydstrup, Denmark, Central Workshop (Serial No. 104662).

Egeskov Veterans Museum, (EVM), Fyn, Denmark (Serial No. 104766).

North Zealand Aviation Museum (NZAM), Slaerup, in Denmark (Serial No. 104814).

Flesland Air Station Defence Museum, Bergen, Norway, Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF) CF-104 (Serial No. 104801).

Kjeller, Norway, RNoAF), (Serial No.).

Norwegian Technical Museum (NTM), RNoAF (Serial No.).

Oslo, Norway, Air Force Museum (Serial No.).

Oslo School of Trade, Norway (Serial No.).

Ana Jet Us, Erhac, Turkey (Serial No. 104795).

Turkish Military Museum, Istanbul (Serial No.).  

Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter, Reg. No. N104RB), USA, still flying.

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, Reg. No. N104RN), USA, still flying.

           RCAF members and their Canadian families living in Germany during the 1960s were well aware of the Starfighter and the hazards associated with living near an airbase where crashes were often a routine occurrence.  For the German people, the “Starfighter crisis” developed into a political issue, as many of the F-104 Starfighters acquired for the German Air Force crashed after being modified to serve for Luftwaffe purposes - specifically for terrain, weather, and ground mechanic support issues.  In Luftwaffe service, 292 of the 916 Starfighters crashed, claiming the lives of 115 pilots and leading to cries that the Starfighter was fundamentally unsafe, from the West German public, which referred to it as the Witwenmacher (widow-maker), fliegender Sarg (flying coffin), and Erdnagel (ground nail).

Steinhoff and his deputy Günter Rall noted that the non-German F-104s proved much safer - Spain, for example, lost none in the same period.  The Americans blamed the high loss rate of the Luftwaffe F-104s on the extreme low-level and aggressive flying of German pilots rather than any faults in the aircraft.  Steinhoff and Rall immediately left their daily work and went to America to learn to fly the Starfighter under Lockheed instruction and noted some specifics in the training (a distinct lack of mountain and foggy-weather training), combined with handling capabilities (sharp start high G turns) of the aircraft that could create accident situations.

           Steinhoff and Rall immediately changed the training regimen for the F-104 pilots, and the accident rates quickly fell to those comparable or better than other air forces.  They also brought about the high level of training and professionalism seen today throughout the Luftwaffe, and the start of a strategic direction for Luftwaffe pilots to tactically and combat train outside Germany.  However, the F-104 never lived down its reputation as a widow-maker and was replaced much earlier by the Luftwaffe than other national air forces. (Internet: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luftwaffe.

(Philippe Colin Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104---), No. 441 Silver Fox Tactical Fighter Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, Nos. 421, 439, and 441 Squadrons.  Nicknamed the Purina puppy chow bird, the Tiger bird, and the toothbrush, ca 1986.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, Nos. 421, 439, and 441 Squadrons.  Nicknamed the Purina puppy chow bird, the Tiger bird, and the toothbrush, ca 1986.

(CAF Photo)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighters, Nos. 421, 439, and 441 Squadrons.  Nicknamed the Purina puppy chow bird, the Tiger bird, and the toothbrush, ca 1986.

(DND Photo via Francois Dutil)

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, CAF (Serial No. 104439?), 1 CAG, No. 439 Squadron, CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany, ca 1970s.

(CAF Photo)

A pair of Canadair CF-104 Starfighters flanking a parade of armour at CFB Lahr, Germany, 1979.

(CAF Photo via James Craik)

36 Canadair CF-104 Starfighters in formation for the colours presentation by Prince Philip, Germany, 4 May 1973. Apparently there were 42 in the air with six acting as a backup!

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