RAAF CF-104

Captain Canada · February 13, 2009, 06:08:25 PM

Australia's ongoing commitment to hostilities in Vietnam was drawing worldwide attention. Although heralded by the US as 'Great Allies', the Communist world saw it in a diferent light. Probing flights by Soviet ELINT aircraft saw the continent vulnerable. With 2 Squadrons of fighters already in Thailand, the RAAF home defence was obviously lacking. An urgent call was put out to NATO and the answer quickly came. 2 dozen RCAF Starfighters were withdrawn from storage at No. 6 Repair Depot in Trenton, Ontario, and readied for flight. Transfered to Prestwick, Scotland, aboard RCAF Hercules transports, the 24 a/c were hastly modified for use by the Aussies.

Modifications included a new radar, as well as provision for both Sidewinder and Sparrow AA missiles. After test flights and trips to the Aberporth range, the 104s were once again stripped of their wings. This time they were loaded aboard Belfasts of the RAF and flown to Australia.

After a short work-up period ( RAAF crews were already in Baden and Cold lake training ) the CF-104 was ready for service. Flown by an un-numbered composite Squadron known as " Greg's Mavericks ", Communist intrusion into Australian airspace halted, virtually, overnight.

Must be something going on that way....everybody seems to be heading there !

The Rat · February 13, 2009, 07:39:28 PM

Ceiling's getting filled out nicely, keep going!

kitnut617 · February 13, 2009, 07:40:19 PM

Jeffry Fontaine · February 13, 2009, 07:48:34 PM

Todd, that F-104 looks naked without the wing tip mounted fuel tanks. Guess the pilot would need to make about four sorties to get one hour of flying time credited to his log book :^)

Looks good and certainly different.

John Howling Mouse · February 13, 2009, 08:28:31 PM

Cool squadron, Todd!

GTX · February 13, 2009, 10:26:04 PM

I don't know - that squadron sounds a bit suspicious...cool model though.

Regards,

Greg

Brian da Basher · February 14, 2009, 03:50:07 AM

Sharp as a tack, Cap'n! You're a veritable whiff-factory!

Brian da Basher

cthulhu77 · February 14, 2009, 04:27:24 AM

Love the flying shot ! That fighter really turned out slick.

Dork the kit slayer · February 14, 2009, 05:44:32 AM

mmmmmmmmmmmmm......................now lets talk about undercarriages....and ground clearance

Looks good in flight though

Rafael · February 14, 2009, 06:45:18 AM

Quote from: Dork the kit slayer on February 14, 2009, 05:44:32 AM
mmmmmmmmmmmmm......................now lets talk about undercarriages....and ground clearance

Looks good in flight though

Weren't those the extended undercarriage F-104s the RAAF bought?

Beautiful!!!

Rafa

sotoolslinger · February 14, 2009, 07:37:36 AM

Neat stuff Cap'n

Captain Canada · February 14, 2009, 08:51:01 AM

Thanks for the comments, guys !

I see Ian noticed the extra large centreline fuel tank. The gear doors would 'almost' clear it, so that's good enough for the what-if world ! As for the clearance, Clarence, if the nose leg was just a wee bit longer.......I saw a pic of one of the early ASA birds, and just loved the way it looked with Sparrows underwing and no tip tanks, so I went that route.