Canadian Warplanes 6: Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter

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.

Lockheed CF-104D Starfigthters (Serial Nos. 12631 to 12668), Construction Nos. 583A-5301/5338, reserialed Nos. 104631 through 104668 in 1970.

Lockheed built 38 two-seat trainer versions of the F-104G Starfighter for the Royal Canadian Air Force. These aircraft were similar to the TF-104Gs built by Lockheed for other NATO allies, but were powered by Canadian-built J79-OEL-7 engines. They were given the Lockheed designation of Model 583-04-15, and were initially designated CF-113 in Canadian service. However, this designation was later changed to CF-104D. No CF-104Ds were built in Canada.

The first CF-104D made its maiden flight on June 14, 1961. The last 16 aircraft on the order had slightly different equipment and were designated CF-104D Mk. II. The CF-104Ds were initially given the serials 12631 through 12668, but on May 18, 1970 they were reserialed as 104631 through 104668.

In 1971-1973, seven former Canadian Forces CF-104Ds were transferred to Denmark after having brought up to TF-104G standards. In 1973, two other CF104Ds were transferred to Norway. Following their withdrawal from CAF service, six CF-104Ds were transferred to Turkey following an overhaul in Germany. (Joe Baugher)

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.

(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.

(Mike Kaehler Photo)

Lockheed CF-104D RCAF (Serial No. 10463600), CFB Baden-Soellingen, Germany.

(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).

‍