Starfighter CF-104D
The CF-104 was selected by the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in 1959 to replace the aging Sabre MK 6 after the cancellation of the Avro Arrow program. The “Starfighter” provided the speed and altitude capabilities which were desired in an ideal fighter jet.
Its role was to provide nuclear strike and photo reconnaissance, and later for conventional attack with the Air Division in Europe.
In the ground attack it could outrun any of its opponents; however, it was not a forgiving aircraft to fly at low level. It was not as maneuverable as many other types of aircraft and was dangerous if the pilot was not paying close attention. Dubbed “The Widow Maker”, approximately 110 of the 238 CF-104/CF-104Ds delivered were lost in accidents.
Canadair of Montreal was selected to manufacture 200 single seat CF-104 aircraft for the RCAF. Built in 1961, the first 104 took flight in Palmdale, California. Between 1962 and 1964, 38 CF-104Ds (dual seats) were built at the Lockheed facility in Palmdale. Most of these were sent to RCAF Station in Cold Lake, Alberta for training instructors and then squadron pilots.
In 1962, this CF-104D 633 joined the 6 Strike/Recon operational training unit at Cold Lake. In 1966, it was assigned to 1 Wing in Marville, France, and later relocated to Lahr, West Germany. In 1973, it was “sold” to the Royal Norwegian Airforce until its military retirement in 1986, when it was purchased by a private owner in New York. In 1999, it exchanged hands again to another private owner in Phoenix, Arizona. Finally in 2022, it was purchased by Barry LaPointe and in June 2023, arrived at the KF Centre for Excellence.
