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.

CF-104 serial 12868 c/n 683A-1168 went to the RCAF on December 11, 1963. The
aircraft was assigned to 2 Wing / 1 Air Division and then 1 Wing until 1968 when it was
put into storage. CF-104s were reserialed in June 1970 so 12868 became 104868. In
1971 the aircraft was reactivated and in 1978 104868 was with 441 and then 421
Squadrons. For 1981-82 the aircraft received a red and white paint scheme nicknamed
“Flying Coke Bottle” or “Flying Coke Can”. March 2, 1984 a hangar fire destroyed the
aircraft.

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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