Air Power Series>1:72 die-cast display model>F-104>HA1036

General Background

The RCAF received their first CF-104 in March 1962. Although originally designed as a supersonic interceptor the Canadian Air Force used it primarily for low level strike and reconnaissance. The Canadian version of the F-104 was capable of carrying a ventral mounted Vinten Vicon pod with 4 cameras inside for reconnaissance picture taking. On September 4, 1963 number 12900 was the 200th and final CF-104 produced and entered service on January 10, 1964. The CF-104 retired from service in 1985 when it was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet. Over the 25 years of active service 110 aircraft were lost to accidents earning it nicknames like "Widow Maker" and "Lawn Dart". The RCAF CF- 104 probably had the most flying time of any variant with an average of 6,000 hours per plane over their life time compared to the Luftwaffe's 3,000 hours.

The Aircraft

CF-104 12805 CL-90 c/n 683A-1105, made it’s maiden flight on June 12, 1962 and was delivered to the RCAF on November 1, 1962. In 1970 CF-104s were given new serial numbers and 12805 became 104805. In 1983 as part of the 421st Squadron / 1 CAG based at Baden-Söllingen, 104805 was given a red paint scheme with an Indian motif to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the 421st Squadron and the 30th Anniversary of CFB Baden-Söllingen. The scheme came to be known as the “Toothbrush” because of the fuselage marking.

Specifications:

Manufacturer:	Canadair
Designation:	originally a super-sonic interceptor but adapted for low level strike and reconnaissance
Crew:	1 x pilot - “D” variant 2 crew
Dimensions:
Wingspan:	21’ 11”
Length:	54’ 9”
Height:	13’ 6”
Wing area:	196.1 sq. ft
Powerplant:	1 x Orenda Engines J79-OEL-7, 10,000 lb. s.t. dry / 15,800 lb. s.t. with after burner
Performance:
Maximum speed:
Dash:	1,550 mph (mach 2.35) @ 40,000’
	915 mph (mach 1.2) @ sea-level
Climb to 30,000’:	1.5 minutes
Service ceiling:	50,000 ft (12,000 m)
Range:	1,630 mi (1,420 nm, 2,630 km)
Weights:
Empty:	13,909 lbs.
Clean:	21,005 lbs
Maximum take-off:	28,891 lbs
External stores:
5 hard points:	1 x under the fuselage, 1 x under each wing, 1 x at each wing tip
Armament:
External bombs and missiles such as:	Napalm bomb
	Cluster bomb
	BL755 cluster bomb
	1 x 19 rocket rocket-pod
	Mk. 82 bomb
	MN1A practice bomb dispenser
	1 x M61A1 Vulcan
	1 x 20mm cannon added to later versions.