STARFIGHTER - The Lockheed File

104644

Type:

L-583A-04-15 / CF-104D Starfighter Mk 2

MSN:

583A-5314

Previous Identities:

12644

Subsequent Identities:

852C (Training Airframe)

Owner:

Allan Arthur, Albury NSW.

History:

PRELUDE - 1960
	In 1960, the F-104G Starfighter was one of five aircraft that were evaluated by the Royal Australian Air Force as a Sabre replacement. The other contenders were the Republic F-105 Thunderchief, the Northrop N-156 (later the F-5), the English Electric Lightning and the Mirage III. Subsequently the contenders were narrowed down to just the Starfighter and the Mirage. On 22 November 1960, the Australian Government endorsed the RAAF's selection of the French Mirage III which would be built under licence in Australia. "The F-104G was considered unsuitable for a number of important reasons; the principal objection being that the F-104 required airfields of a standard which did not, at the time, exist in sufficient number in the Australian area of interest. Other reasons included; aircraft handling qualities, engine reliability, ferry range and cost." (Source: 2)
62 YEARS LATER - AUSTRALIA FINALLY GETS A STARFIGHTER
61	Built by Lockheed, Burbank as part of an RCAF order for 38 CF-104D which were similar to the TF-104Gs built by Lockheed for other NATO allies, but were powered by Canadian-built J79-OEL-7 engines. They were given the Lockheed designation of Model 583-04-15, and were initially designated CF-113 in Canadian service. However, this designation was later changed to CF-104D. No CF-104Ds were built in Canada. (Source: 4)
61	Delivered to the RCAF as 12644. (Source: 4)
	Served with the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment (AETE). (Source: 1)
01FEB68	The RCAF was amalgamated into the Canadian Armed Forces. (Source: 3)
MAR68	To 417 Squadron at Cold Lake. The aircraft served with this unit until its retirement. (Source: 1)
02JUN70	Reserialled as 104644. (Source: 4)
83	Retired in the summer of 1983. (Source: 1)
	Used as a static Battle Damage Repair training airframe at Cold Lake with the serial 852C. (Source: 7)
	It is speculated that the aircraft may have been transported to the airframe technical training school at CFB Camp Borden. 104644 is one of several aircraft for which the CAF history card is missing. (Source: 7)
	Acquired by Allan Rubin for his Canadian Air Land Sea Museum at Toronto Markham Airport. Plans for a new airport at nearby Pickering cast doubt on the future of Markham Airport and Rubin began selling off his aircraft. Rubin passed away on May 18, 2020, at the age of 81. (Source: 5)
	It is believed that CF-104D 104644 was a fuselage only without wings at this stage.
	Sold to Steve Alex, Bangor, Maine USA. (Source: 1)
	It is reported that Steve Alex acquired a pair of wings from an unknown Danish CF-104 as well as other components to enable the assembly of a static exhibit. Normally a composite restoration would take its identity from the fuselage anyway but in this case, given that the wings are such a small percentage of the airframe, probably more famously so than with any other type, there can be no questioning the true identity of the composite aircraft!
	Sold to Allan Arthur of Albury NSW, Australia.
SEP22	Arrived at Albury, NSW. (Source: 1)
29JAN23	All silver paint has been removed including all markings and most of the airframe and vertical stabiliser have had an inital polish. The canopy release mechanism is functional although the rear canopy requires adjustment to sit nicely on port side and allow use the external canopy lever. The forward canopy is still to be fitted and pinned in position. (Source: 6)
06DEC23	At this point the tail is mounted on the aircraft again, and both front/rear canopy are now fitted, (the forward canopy required quite a trim, the rear one not so much). The main undercarriage has been cleaned and sprayed, (paint hides a lot), the wheels cleaned up quite well & new tires have been mounted. The tire black look quite a treat. The air frame itself is an ongoing polishing battle, not overly exciting and seeing progress is very slow only the rear under-carriage door has been finally polished to check out the look covered by paper now. We have started stripping the wings and associated pieces and doing some mock aligning of wing fillets which don't match every hole! We will check the wing fit possibly in the new year before they go for the white paint. (Source: 6)
21DEC23	One wing has been attached. (Source: 6) The wings are from a Royal Danish Air Force Starfighter. This is a most appropriate connection given that the new Queen of Denmark was born in Australia!
04JAN24	Both canopies are now properly fitted. Allan has been working on the wing fillets, which hasn't been an easy task. We test fitted the nose and mocked up the anti glare paint. We are now looking for the dimensions of the angle of attack vane. Can any reader assist? (Source: 6)

SOURCES

International F-104 Society:
https://www.i-f-s.nl/preserved-f-104s/preserved-in-australia/

The RAAF Mirage Story by Wing Commander M.R. Susans.

https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/corporate/reports-publications/on-windswept-heights-2/94-timeline.page

http://www.916-starfighter.de/number_productionstatistic.htm

https://theclassicmachines.com/2022/10/16/the-once-incredible-markham-airport/

Lindsay Tremethick, member of the restoration team.

Terry Higgins, Canadian Aviation Historical Society.

Issue	Date	Remarks
11	27JUN24	Added an image of the aircraft as instructional airframe 852C thanks to Dino van Doorn and Harry Prins of the IFS.
10	08MAY24	Added an image of the data plates attached to the right wing thanks to Lindsay Tremethick.
9	19MAR24	Added an image by Ray Barber of the fuselage at Markham in 2005. Also added further information thanks to Terry Higgins of the CAHS (Source: 7)
8	24JAN24	Added three images of the aircraft in service with the Canadian Armed Forces thanks to Harry Prins of the International F-104 Society. Image 1 Image 2 Image 3 Added an image of the vertical stabilizer that was incorporated in the rebuild thanks to Steve Alex and Pete Clukey. Added an image of F-104D 57-1332, the vertical stabilizer of which was used in the rebuild of 104644.
7	22JAN24	Added images of data plates attached to the wings. Thanks to Lindsay Tremethick and Pete Clukey.
6	12JAN24	Added a graphic of the proposed markings thanks to CanMilAir.
5	09JAN24	Added further details of the aircraft's Canadian service thanks to Harry Prins of the International F-104 Society.
4	06JAN24	Added an update thanks to Lindsay Tremethick of the restoration team and Harry Prins of the International F-104 Society.
3	31JAN23	Added an image and an update on the restoration thanks to the International F-104 Society.
2	18NOV22	Added information from Source: 5.
1	01NOV22	Original issue.

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