Canadair CF-104

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CF-104 Starfighter
Starfighter 704 from No. 417 Squadron at the Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (AETE), CFB Cold Lake
Type Interceptor aircraft
Manufacturer Canadair
Designed by Lockheed Corporation
Maiden flight 26 May 1961
Retired 1987
Primary user Royal Canadian Air Force
Number built 340
Developed from F-104 Starfighter

The Canadair CF-104 (CF-111, CL-90) was a modified version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter supersonic fighter aircraft built in Canada by Canadair under licence. It served with the Royal Canadian Air Force and later the Canadian Forces until it was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet.

Contents

[edit] History

Royal Canadian Air Force CF-104.
Royal Canadian Air Force CF-104.

The version for the Royal Canadian Air Force was initially designated CF-111, then changed to CF-104. Canadair's internal designation was CL-90. Canadair also manufactured aircraft for the United States, these aircraft were F-104Gs. The first flight of a Canadian-built CF-104 occurred on 26 May 1961. The CF-104 production was 200 aircraft, while that of the F-104G was 140.

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" 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.

CF-104 displayed at CFB Borden
CF-104 displayed at CFB Borden

[edit] Variants

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

[edit] Operators

CF-104D in front of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
CF-104D in front of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum

[edit] Specifications (CF-104)

General characteristics

  • Crew: 1
  • Length: 54 ft 6 in (16.7 m)
  • Wingspan: 21 ft 9 in (6.63 m)
  • Height: 13 ft 5 in (4.08 m)
  • Empty weight: 14,000 lb (6,300 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 29,038 lb (13,171 kg)
  • Powerplant: 1× Orenda J79-OEL-7 afterburning turbojet
    • Dry thrust: 10,000 lbf (44 kN)
    • Thrust with afterburner: 15,800 lbf (66.7 kN)

Performance

Armament

[edit] References

    • 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.

    [edit] External links

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