CF-104 Starfighter encyclopedia topics

Design and development

In the late 1950s, Canada redefined her role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) with a commitment to a nuclear strike mission. At the same time, the Royal Canadian Air Force began to consider a replacement for the Canadair F-86 Sabre series that had been utilized as a NATO "day-fighter." An international fighter competition involved current types in service as well as development, including the Blackburn Buccaneer, Dassault Mirage IIIC, Fiat G.91, Grumman Super Tiger, Lockheed F-104G Starfighter, Northrop N-156 and the Republic F-105 Thunderchief. Although the RCAF had preferred the F-105 equipped with an Avro Canada Orenda Iroquois engine, eventually the choice for a strike-reconnaissance aircraft revolved around cost as well as capability.

A Canadian government requirement for a license manufacture also favoured the Lockheed proposal due to a collaboration with Canadair based in Montreal. On 14 August 1959, Canadair was selected to manufacture 200 aircraft for the RCAF under license from Lockheed. In addition, Canadair was contracted to manufacture wingsets, tail assemblies and rear fuselage sections for 66 Lockheed-built F-104Gs destined for the West German Luftwaffe.

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, use of the fuselage-mounted 20-mm M61A1 cannon and the main undercarriage members being fitted with longer-stroke liquid springs and larger tires. The first flight of a Canadian-built CF-104 (s/n 12701) occurred on 26 May 1961. The Canadair CF-104 production was 200 aircraft with an additional 140 F-104Gs produced for Lockheed.

Operational history

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. CF-104 squadrons were stationed in Europe as part of Canada's NATO commitment. Up to 1971, this included a nuclear strike role that would see Canadian aircraft armed with US Nuclear Weapons in the event of a conflict with Warsaw Pact forces.

Over the course of the aircraft's lifespan in service, some 110 were lost to accidents, earning the CF-104 the nickname of "Widowmaker" or "Lawn Dart" in the air force.

The CF-104 was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet and retired from service by the Canadian Forces in 1987. Most of the remaining aircraft were sold to Turkey.

Variants

CF-104: Single-seat fighter-bomber version for the RCAF.CF-104D: Two-seat training version for the RCAF.

Operators

Royal Canadian Air Force
Canadian Forces

No. 417 Squadron RCAF
No. 421 Squadron RCAF
No. 422 Squadron RCAF
No. 427 Squadron RCAF
No. 430 Squadron RCAF
No. 434 Squadron RCAF
No. 439 Squadron RCAF
No. 441 Squadron RCAF
No. 444 Squadron RCAF

Royal Danish Air Force

The Royal Danish Air Force operated 15 surplus CF-104 aircraft and 7 CF-104D aircraft.

Royal Norwegian Air Force

The Royal Norwegian Air Force operated 22 surplus CF-104 aircraft and 3 CF-104D aircraft.

Turkish Air Force

The Turkish Air Force operated 44 surplus CF-104 aircraft and 6 CF-104D aircraft.

Survivors

Starfighters Demo team The Florida based civilian 'Starfighters Demo team' currently operate one CF-104D (104632) and two CF-104 aircraft (104759 and 104850).

Mark Sherman from Phoenix, Arizona owns and operates a single CF-104D (104633)

A Norwegian team of volunteers are restoring CF-104D (104637) to airworthy status.

Specifications (CF-104)

Badges

References

Notes

Bibliography

Bashow, David L. Starfighter: A Loving Retrospective of the CF-104 Era in Canadian Fighter Aviation, 1961-1986. Stoney Creek, Ontario: Fortress Publications Inc., 1990. ISBN 0-91919-512-1.
Francillion, R. J. Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913. London: Putnam, 1987. ISBN 0-370-30329-6.
McIntyre, Robert. CF-104 Starfighter (Canadian Profile: Aircraft No. 1). Ottawa, Ontario: Sabre Model Supplies Ltd., 1985. ISBN 0-920375-99-6.
Pickler, Ron and Milberry, Larry. Canadair: The First 50 Years. Toronto: CANAV Books, 1995. ISBN 0-921022-07-7.
Stachiw, Anthony L. and Tattersall, Andrew. CF104 Starfighter (Aircraft in Canadian Service). St. Catharine's, Ontario: Vanwell Publishing Limited, 2007. ISBN 1-55125-114-0.