441 CF-104

[Catch22]

Hey guys, long time no see!

I got my dad the Italeri 1/32 F-104, and he'd like to do it as 441 aircraft. That being said, he'd like to do it in NMF, as opposed to the later camo finishes. I've been unable to nail down any specific aircraft as part of 441 during the time period where they were NMF as it seems like they lacked any sort of squadron marking. All I need is a picture, even a partial one, that has the serial number or side number of the aircraft. Any one will do. Thanks!

 

[fubar57]

Cory, do you know if the aircraft stayed with the squadron they were originally assigned to throughout it's career? This is all I've found: it was lost while serving with 441Sqn. though by this time it was in camo
916 Starfighter

Geo

 

[Catch22]

I'm not 100% sure Geo, but I'd say they didn't stay with the same squadron. I know, for instance, that our Hornets have been shuffled around a bit. Thanks for looking!

 

[Airframes]

Funnily enough, I've been thinking of doing (sometime in the future!) a RCAF Starfighter, in NMF in 1/48th scale. I remember seeing them (and listening to their sound, on approach, like a radio being tuned!) at Prestwick in the early 1960's, and at air shows of the period.
I've been trying to find a particular issue of a modelling magazine from the mid 1980's, which has a feature on the RCAF/CAF F-104s. I know it's in one of two places somewhere in my house, but neither are accessible at the moment, as I have been moving furniture around, and the 'locations' are now blocked by filing cabinets, part of my 'stash', chairs, more parts of my 'stash' etc etc.
Given I eventually find it, I'll see if there's anything that might help, and let you know Cory.

 

[fubar57]

CF-104 s/n 12734

Served at RCAF Station Cold Lake, Alberta. Operated by No. 1 Wing at Lahr, Germany when it crashed in Denmark on 18 July 1967. Was one of 5 aircraft from No. 441 Squadron on exchange at Karup Air Base. Ingested a seagull during low flying over the Kattegat. F/L G.R.J. "Sky" King ejected safely after resulting compressor stall and engine failure, and was rescued by Danish helicopter about 25 minutes later. King would eventually retire as a Brigadier General. Aircraft was carrying camera pod when lost.

It's the right time frame for silver aircraft. I'll see if I can find a photo.

Geo

 

[fubar57]

Are you sitting down Cory....This is one of the five aircraft that went to Denmark...

....from this site Squadron Exchanges 1967 - International F-104 Society

Geo

Just found this, s/n 441 from 441sqn. No date. OTHER EDIT: '68-'73

You probably already know this but the gun was not carried until 1974.

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff George.
Is there any way to find out which RCAF F-104 units would be at, or staging through, Prestwick, Scotland, or maybe even based in the UK, in the early to late 1960's?
It would be nice to eventually do my model featuring a subject I might have actually seen. Just a shame I no longer have the log books from that period, as the tail numbers would have been recorded.

 

[fubar57]

Terry, there was an aircraft as Prestwick in storage during the '60s, s/n 12706. Here's a list of s/n to see if anything rings a bell for you. CF104, 12700 to 12750 I'll see if I can find 706.

Geo

 

[Crimea_River]

Wrong Squadron but some good pics here:

Marville, France Photos

But this might help. The caption on this one says: CF-104 12854 was the "Queen of the Fleet" and originally assigned to 441 Squadron prior to amalgamation - January 1964.

 

[fubar57]

Great link Andy, love the Starfighter. Terry, check your email.

Geo

 

[Crimea_River]

More on 12854 fromRCAF starfighters 12851 to 12900

first date: 23 August 1963 - Taken on strength

With No. 441 (ST/R) Squadron at Marville, France in April 1964, with camera pod. Still with this unit, and with pod, in October 1966. With No. 1 Wing at Lahr, Germany when it crashed near Lahr on 25 April 1969. Capt. R.E. White successfully ejected after a bird strike caused significant damage to the cockpit.

last date: 9 May 1969 - Struck off

 

[Crimea_River]

Hey Geo, check out this description for 12831 on the same we site:

first date: 12 March 1963 - Taken on strength

Crashed in Denmark on 18 July 1967. Bird strike at very low altitude over the Kattegat. F/L G.R.J. King ejected, landed in the water 3 seconds later, and was rescued. King would retire as a Brigadier General.


Same incident as 12734 above so one of them is wrong.

 

[fubar57]

Did you notice how many 104's went down due to bird strikes.

Geo

 

[Airframes]

Thanks Geo - got your e-mail and replied.

 

[Catch22]

Wow guys, thanks a ton for the info and photos, that's great! I'll pass all of this along!

 

[Catch22]

Terry, not sure if this is what Geo sent you, but I figured I'd post it here just to make sure. These were taken at Prestwick.

12756 Canadair CF-104 Starfighter RCAF roars off. Note the arrestor hook.

12757 Canadair CF-104 Starfighter RCAF follows in hot pursuit. Note fire trucks, they always came out for a launch. Photos: Neil Aird © 29 September 1965

Panorama shot showing a Canadair CF-104 Starfighter of the RCAF returning from a SAL test flight, trailing drag chute.

After the RCAF Sabre, CF-100 and T-33 aircraft had left Prestwick (most were scrapped there) the Canadian Armed Forces Canadair CF-104 Starfighter was omnipresent at Prestwick. My visits were less frequent, and the opportunity for me to photograph them were few. I had a different 35mm Camera by now, but no long lense. Here three, 12796, 12895 and 12842 are ready to perform at a Prestwick Airshow as BAe Andover C. 1 XS640 (24) starts her display. This was the first of the Prestwick Air Shows, which were held every two years until 1992. Here is a list of most of the participants.
21588 Canadair T-33AN Silver Star CAF
12842 Canadair CF-104G Starfighter CAF
12796 Canadair CF-104G Starfighter CAF
12895 Canadair CF-104G Starfighter CAF
XJ724 Westland Whirlwind HAR.10 202 Sqn
XS640 BAe Andover C.1 RAF 46 Sqn
206/V Lockheed SP-2H Neptune Dutch Air Force 320 Sqn MLD
XR660/56 Hunting Jet Provost T.4 RAF 6 FTS
17201/WH-E Grumman HU-16 Albatross R. Norwegian AF
17204/KK-X Grumman HU-16 Albatross R. Norwegian AF
WG481 de Havilland DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10 RAF 12 AEF
XT285/LM653 Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 RN 736 Sqn
XT610 SAL Twin Pioneer C.1 RAF ETPS
XS736 BAe Dominie T.1 RAF CAW
XP441 Avro Argosy C.1 RAFTC
XR724/M English Electric Lightning F.6 RAF 11 Sqn
XV197 Lockheed Hercules C.1 RAF LTW
XR534/93 Folland Gnat T.1 RAF 4 FTS
XF702/B Avro Shackleton M.R.3 RAF 120 sq

All from this webpage. There are also some great photos of RCAF Sabres, and a host of other aircraft.

Prestwick Portraits

Apparently they were there for maintenance and overhaul.

 

[fubar57]

Nice ones Cory, different photos from the 4 I sent. Nice link as well. I wonder which squadron had Snoopy on the tail.

Geo

 

[Airframes]

Great stuff Cory, thanks. That 'Prestwick Portraits' web-site brought back memories, and it was good to see shots 'over the wall, up the back', the area I mentioned where the stored aircraft awaited scrapping or return to Canada. Some of the Sabres can be seen in the pics, although I remember more than shown, plus the Avengers etc which were still there in the early 1960s.

 

[Catch22]

Thanks Geo, I'm not sure, and not a problem Terry, surprised I found that site.

 

[Tracker]

Found this. Hope it helps!

916 Starfighter