From an information panel on site:
Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter
The Starfighter, a single seat, single-engine day interceptor was original in concept and had a unique configuration that emphasized high speed performance. It was not used extensively in its country of origin, serving with the United-States Air Force as a front line fighter from 1958-60 only. The much modified F-104G was it most successful version. equipped with all weather radar, it was originally intended for tactical support and reconnaissance missions in West Germany and went to to achieve popularity in many countries.
The excellent performance of the Starfighter resulted in a number of new records, including a world altitude record of 103, 389 ft (31 513 m), several speed records over prescribed courses, and new time-to-climb records. It was also the first operational aircraft capable of sustained flight at speeds higher than Mach 2. In May and June 1964, Jacqueline Cochran flew an F-104 bettering her own three women's air speed records set in 1953 in the prototype Canadair Sabre 3.
The Starfighter was manufactured in seven countries, including Canada, and became one of the most widely operated supersonic fighter of its day, and the backbone of many NATO air forces. The Royal Canadian Air Force selected the CF-104 to replace the F-86 Saber in West Germany, awarding the contract to Canadair Ltd., Montreal. The Canadian Starfighters equipped with General Electric Engines built in Canada by Orenda Engines Ltd., were originally equipped for delivering a nuclear strike, but its role was changed to tactical reconnaissance when the Canadian Government withdrew from nuclear involvement. The RCAF test unit No. 448 Squadron, at Cold Lake, Alberta, and eight squadrons of No. 1 Air Division of NATO were equipped with Starfighters. They were the first aircraft flown by the RCAF capable of exceeding the speed of sound in level flight.
The museum aircraft was built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, and came to Canada as a pattern aircraft for the Canadian built machines. It was used at the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment at Uplands.
From the website of the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum:
An American single-engine, supersonic fighter/interceptor aircraft designed and produced by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation and other companies from 1954 to 1979
Featured a lightweight design created in response to Soviet jet fighters
Used by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a NATO fighter in Europe, often replacing the F-86 Sabre
Canadair Limited produced single-seater CF-104s for the RCAF and F-104Gs for NATO countries as part of a U.S. assistance program
Flown by Wing Commander Robert A. White when he set a Canadian altitude record of 30,513 metres (100,110 feet) on December 14, 1967
One of the most widely used supersonic jet fighters of the NATO Alliance
First flight was on March 4, 1954 (F-104)
Artifact no.:
1968.0893
Manufacturer:
Lockheed Aircraft Corporation
Manufacturer Location:
United States
Manufacture Date:
1957
Registration no.:
12700 (RCAF)
Acquisition Date:
1968
History:
The RCAF selected the F-104 to replace its Sabre fighters in Europe. The small F-104 Starfighter was an attempt to counter the trend towards increasingly heavier fighters after Second World War. As it evolved, however, the F-104 also got heavier, with the G model almost overloaded with equipment and weapons. With engines built by Orenda, Canadair produced 200 single-seat CF-104s and another 140 F-104Gs for NATO countries. The Canadian Forces phased out its Starfighters in 1986.
Current Location:
Jet Age Exhibition, Canada Aviation and Space Museum
Provenance:
Transfer from the Canadian Armed Forces
This Starfighter was built by Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank, California in 1957. It was accepted by the U.S. Air Force in November of that year and began service at Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. It served with the U.S. Air Force until November 1959 and was then placed in storage in Palmdale, California. The aircraft was shipped to Canadair for use as a pattern aircraft for production of the CF-104, which was to be built under licence.
The RCAF acquired the Starfighter in June 1963. Two years later, it was transferred to the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment at Uplands airport in Ottawa.
On December 14, 1967, Wing Commander Robert A. White set a Canadian altitude record of 30,513 metres (100,110 feet) flying the Starfighter. As a result, White was made an Officer of the Order of Military Merit and inducted as a member of Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame in 1974. The aircraft was transferred to the Museum in June 1968.
Technical Information:
To achieve good performance with a very small wing, the thin, high-speed profile of the Starfighter could be altered for low-speed flight by drooping the leading and trailing edges of the wings. High-pressure air blew over the drooped trailing edge to maintain a smooth air flow. The aircraft was unfairly considered crash-prone, but most accidents were caused by the method of flying required and poor weather. The ejection seat was rocket-powered.
Wing Span 6.7 m (21 ft 11 in)
Length 16.7 m (54 ft 8 in)
Height 4.1 m (13 ft 6 in)
Weight, Empty 6,070 kg (13,384 lb)
Weight, Gross 8,159 kg (17,988 lb)
Cruising Speed 835 km/h (519 mph)
Max Speed 2,189 km/h (1,360 mph)
Rate of Climb 18,408 m (60,396 ft) / min
Service Ceiling 19,750 m (64,800 ft)
Range 1,175 km (730 mi)
Power Plant one General Electric J79-OEL-7 axial flow jet engine, 7,166 kg (15,800 lb), static thrust, with afterburner.
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