Hobby Master HA1011 1:72 CF-104 12701 "Special Chromed Finish

Hobby Master HA1011 1:72 CF-104 12701 "Special Chromed Finish

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.

Looking for a supersonic replacement for the RCAF aging Sabre Mk. 6 the Canadian
Government chose the Lockheed F-104. This never was the choice of the Air Force but it was a decision based more on economics and politics. It was decided that Canadair
would build the Canadian version under contract. Originally designated CL-90 the aircraft finally became the CF-104. In the spring of 1961 the first Canadian-built CF-104 serial number 12701 was airlifted to Palmdale, California where on May 26, Lockheed Test Pilot Ed Brown performed its maiden flight. The Canadair number for this Aircraft was 683a- 1001, the RCAF serial number was 12701 but in July 1970 renumbered as 104701. In 1967 aircraft 12701 was one of 5 aircraft sent to the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE) located at Cold Lake Alberta Canada. These aircraft were used for evaluations and flight trials of all the aircraft modifications, systems and armaments. Why this aircraft wasn’t preserved is unknown to me but in 1985, possibly after being cannibalized, it was struck off the inventory list and later scrapped.