Lockheed F-104A Starfighter

  • Period: Postwar (1945-1959)
  • Uses: Fighter
  • First Flight: March 4, 1954 (F-104)
  • Display Status: On the Museum Floor.

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.

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.

Museum Example

  • Registration #: 12700 (RCAF)
  • Manufacturer: Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, United States
  • Manufacture Date: 1957
  • Construction #: 183-1058
  • Aquisition Date: 1968
  • Provenance: Transfer from CAF

Manufactured in 1957, the Museum aircraft was flown by the US Air Force until 1958 when it was stored. The RCAF received the aircraft in 1963 and kept it until 1968 when it was transferred to the Museum. The Museum’s F-104A came to Canadair as a pattern aircraft. It set a new Canadian altitude record of 30 500 meters (100 110 ft.).

Specifications

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