Canadian Super Starfighter

[rallymodeller]

So whilst looking over my incomplete 48th Hasegawa F-104G kit, I had this here idea:

In 1981, with Soviet sabre rattling continuing and ongoing CF188 teething problems, it was decided as a stopgap measure to modernize the CAF's existing (remaining) CF-104 fleet. When the program was completed in 1984, the CF-104F was essentially an all-new aircraft. The results of the program (a joint venture between Canadair, Lockheed and the National Research Council) resulted in such performance improvements that the new Starfighter was a serious competitor to both the early F-16 and the nascent F-20 Tigershark program. The engine was swapped for Pratt and Whitney's new PW1120 engine, resulting in an overall increase in available power while at the same time decreasing the Starfighter's legendary thirst. The existing avionics and electronics were gutted and replaced with 1980's technology, introducing a "glass" cockpit, HOTAS controls for the pilot, a wide-angle Kaiser HUD, and most importantly the replacement of the essentially-1950's tech NASARR radar with the AN/APG-65 unit fitted to early F-16's. The pilot now sat on a Martin-Baker M2 ejection seat,  finally giving Canadian pilots a zero-zero escape capability.

Structurally the F model remained much the same as the A model, with (apart from unseen airframe strengthening) the substitution of a composite horizontal tail, small finlets below the air brakes (as fitted to the F-104S), and most noticeably new leading-edge extensions which, along with maneuvering leading-edge slats made the '104 a true dogfighter as well as taming the fighter's notoriously high landing speeds. An additional pair of pylons, stressed to take 500 lbs each were added to the wings outboard of the existing pylons.

The first prototype (104731) flew for the first time on April 3, 1984 and was sent to Edwards Air Force Base in California for extensive flight testing by both CAF and USAF pilots. The transformation was stunning. The Super Starfighter was nearly the equal of aircraft twenty years it's junior. While it didn't have the payload capability of the newer F-16 or F/A-18's, the only aircraft in flight at Edwards at the time that could outmaneuver it were Northrop's F-20 Tigershark prototypes.

In the end the CF-104F program was so successful that the CAF decided to perform the F upgrade to it's remaining Starfighters to replace the force's CF-5's.

Other Starfighter operators became interested as well during the development program; as of this writing Japan, Belgium, Denmark, Turkey and West Germany (Luftwaffe and Marinefleiger) have signed agreements with Canadair/Lockheed to perform similar upgrades to their Starfighter fleets.

I envision my Starfighter model in current low-vis Hornet-style colours serving with 440 squadron.

Opinions/thoughts/critiques?

[Daryl J.]

Do it!    BTW, is there a nozzel for the PW1120?  I like the LERX/Slat idea also as it would give subtle distinction from existing kits without too much difficulty.  Staying away from the F-5E-like duckbill nose would be good point  IMHO.



Daryl J.

[elmayerle]

BTW, is there a nozzel for the PW1120?

I'm working on a couple if someone would like to cast us a bunch.  I need six, minimum, for a Super-Phantom concept and a upgraded Hustler, and I'm sure a lot of others here would be interested.

[Scooterman]

BTW, is there a nozzel for the PW1120?

I'm working on a couple if someone would like to cast us a bunch.  I need six, minimum, for a Super-Phantom concept and a upgraded Hustler, and I'm sure a lot of others here would be interested.

I might be able to help with that Evan.

Got a pic?

[elmayerle]

BTW, is there a nozzel for the PW1120?

I'm working on a couple if someone would like to cast us a bunch.  I need six, minimum, for a Super-Phantom concept and a upgraded Hustler, and I'm sure a lot of others here would be interested.

I might be able to help with that Evan.

Got a pic?

Actually, I've got bits I need to assembly to make appropriate nozzles.  The overall nozzles look like scaled down F100 nozzles with "turkey feathers".  I'll be combining bits from a 1/100 F-15 with a suitable base ring and have a couple masters.  I can scan a couple pics from a reference to help, too.

[rallymodeller]

Quick profile for marking purposes and to see how the LERXs will look:



I like it. Gonna start on it right away...

Oh, and the shape below the radio bay behind the cockpit (above "Armed Forces") is a retractable IFR probe. I figure with all that space gone what with all the new, smaller electronics and all that there would be space left over.

And I was gonna add an ident spotlight but I forgot...

[Daryl J.]

How about small wingtip extensions as well?

Rallymodeler that looks excellent as is, btw.  B)   B)  B)




Daryl J.

[Archibald]

Nice profile! But why Canada simply funded the Lockheed F-13A Lancer as the Belgium did ?
http://www.whatifmodelers.com/forum//index...l=cl-1200&st=60
Gorgeous profile