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 417 Squadron nickname is “City of Windsor” and their motto “Supporting Liberty and
Justice”. The squadron was formed as part of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in
England on November 27, 1941 and flew Spitfires. The squadron was disbanded in June
1945 until 1947 when they were re-formed. One year later they disbanded until 1970
when they were re-formed as the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) 417 Operational
Training Unit (OTU) for CF-104s at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. Later and still at Cold Lake
the squadron was re-designated as the 417 Strike/Reconnaissance Operational Training
Squadron. They continued in this role until they were phased out in April 1983 with the
same fate for the CF-104 in 1987. The CF-104 was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet. In
1993 417 Squadron re-appeared but in a different role.
S/N 104783 spent its entire life in Cold Lake, Alberta. During its time there it took part in
several display teams. When the CAF retired the CF-104s this plane was stored at CFD
Mountain View, Ontario. On September 7, 1988 the aircraft was finally struck off the
inventory and loaded on a truck. It was transported to the Atlantic Canada Aviation
Museum near the Halifax Nova Scotia airport (Robert L. Stanfield Airport) were it is on
display.

Specifications for the CF-104

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, a
19 rocket rocket-pod, Mk. 82 bomb, MN1A practice bomb dispenser, an M61A1 Vulcan
20mm cannon added to later versions.

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