Attn: Canadians...Alberta Aviation Museum pursuing F-104

[Tom H]

The Alberta Aviation Museum has located an appropriate F-104 Starfighter (2) seater and is moving forward with acquiring the aircraft for restoration and exhibit.

This is one of the few remaining available and is identical to the (2) seat version used in the Royal Canadian Air force and Canadian Armed Forces. The aircraft is complete (less armaments) right through radios, radar to the engine and its systems.

The broker has agreed to hold the aircraft till December 14th, 2011 so we are in a race to raise the funding before the aircraft is made available to other parties.

Cost of acquisition and restoration is expected to be approx $70,000.00 Canadian delivered to Edmonton.

The Starfighter is an important part of both Alberta and Edmonton history.
The Starfighter being operated from CFB Cold Lake for many years and virtually all the RCAF/CAF Starfighters were overhauled here in Edmonton at North West Industries at Edmonton Municipal Airport.

The aircraft is similar to the one pictured here
(image courtesy of Department of National Defense image gallery)
http://www.airforce.forces.gc.ca/v2/equ ... -g/104.jpg

CF-104 History and specifications here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadai...04_Starfighter

Those wishing to donate to acquiring/restoring this F-104 Starfighter can contribute to:
Alberta Aviation Museum Association
11410-Kingsway
Edmonton, AB
T5G 0X4
Attn: CF-104 Project
Please include a note designating the donation to the F-104 project* with your name, address, postal code as all donations over $50.00 receive tax receipts as charitable donations.
(*by designating to this project your donation can only be used for this specific project)

The Alberta Aviation Museum is a registered not for profit charitable society in Canada.
Our website www.albertaaviationmuseum.com

Thank you
Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
Alberta Aviation Museum Association
Office: 780-453-1078 or e-mail: eahs.execdirector@shawbiz.ca

Full disclosure on CF-104 Acquisition Project:

- Aircraft is a Lockheed built Starfighter (2) seater.
- It is NOT a Canadair built Single seater.
(all RCAF/CAF single seaters were built by Canadair, 2 seaters by Lockheed)
- This specific aircraft did NOT serve with the RCAF/CAF.
- The aircraft is being imported from Europe.

For all intents it is identical to the CF-104 (2) seater built by Lockheed as operated by RCAF/CAF and will be restored to represent an RCAF CF-104 (2) seater.
(Specific aircraft and Squadron still to be chosen)

Thomas Hinderks
Alberta Aviation Museum

[Tanker 336]

Tom,

I'm assuming you know Bob Morgan (ex-Starfighter pilot) Will he be involved with this project if you are able to acquire this airframe?

Greg

[Tom H]

You bet!!! Bob is super people.

If we pull this off there are several others and some of the 104 ground types that are excited.

Tom

[Tanker 336]

Tom,

How often does Bob come down to the museum? On a regular basis? The last time I saw him was at Cedric Mah's services. Just a side note, my father was Bob's Flight Engineer on the Herc's in 435 squadron back in the early 1970's. By the way, does Jack Johnson still show up regularly?

Greg

[Tom H]

Tom,

How often does Bob come down to the museum? On a regular basis? The last time I saw him was at Cedric Mah's services. Just a side note, my father was Bob's Flight Engineer on the Herc's in 435 squadron back in the early 1970's. By the way, does Jack Johnson still show up regularly?

Greg

Bob is around quite often and I understand never misses and Air Force Association meeting.

Jack erratically and usually Tuesdays for lunch when he does.

Hope that helps

Tom

[Tanker 336]

Tom,

Thanks for all the info. I'm curious, with the Air Force bringing on the new C-130J model Hercs, have they started mothballing any of the C-130E models? If so, has the museum ever thought of getting one of the E models? Seeing that 435 squadron was based out of Edmonton for so long it would be fitting to get a Herc at the museum. For that matter, would the museum ever consider getting one of the tired out C-119G's from Greybull, Wyoming?

Greg

[Tom H]

Evening

We were first on the list for a C-130E! Right after the RCAF Museums as per policy, couple years ago following the procedure of going through CAPA.

As of the last conference in October all C-103E disposals are on indefinite hold by the RCAF.
So hopefully while we have a runway but I wouldn't hold my breath.

We looked hard at the Ex RCAF C-119s at Greybull, one is actually the former AETE aircraft and they were flown by both 408 and 435 Squadron from Edmonton.

But the costs of distantly and trucking killed the project...doesn't mean I've given up just trying to find another way.

BTW the C-119 is not represented in Canada at all to my knowledge and when approached a couple years ago nether Squadron was interested....new commanders now maybe that will change.

Thanks Tom

[Tanker 336]

Does this one look familiar? And of course the J model Herc.

[Tom H]

The dollar nineteen doesn't look familiar...then again it does.

Is the that an early pic of the AETE bird now in Greybull?

Thanks

Tom

[Tanker 336]

Unsure what C-119G airframe was used in (AETE) the Aerospace Engineering Test Establishment program. However, I did come across Pinocchio in my archives to which you know they used in the Starfighter program. Also, had some literature (attached picture) on the CF-104 (Man in a missile) The last picture as you probably know is the gate sentry at Cold Lake. Seeing that this Starfighter has an X on the tail, it would have been an AETE aircraft.

[Tom H]

Great pics

You must have a heck of a collection!

I gotta ride in Pinocchio a few thousand years ago, good to see her when I go up to the cool pool.

Starfighters 702/703/704 were all AETE birds and all apparently now have homes, 702 as you show, 703 under restoration in Winnipeg and 704 in Baggottville.

It amazes me how few Canadair 104s remain available in Canada, even ore so that there is still a demand on them for contract use.

Or even how few of the total actually remain at all.

Tom

[Tanker 336]

Tom,

Regarding the actual fund raising drive, seeing that the broker is only holding this airframe until Dec 14th, I can assume that the museum hopes to get a corporate sponsor? Have you started canvassing organizations in Cold Lake? Seeing that this type was based there. I have a couple of buddies that retired from the mob (RCAF, based in Cold Lake) a few years ago and both are still associated with the base (one was an avionics tech for 15 years on the F-18s and now works for Public Works in the labs on Base and the other friend was an Aero Engine tech on the F-18s as well for approx. 15 years) I'll see if they have heard anything about this fund raiser.

Greg

[Tom H]

We have been lucky so far in getting TV and Radio coverage as well as several commercial aviation web news services.

A member of the Canadian Starfighter Asso is spreading the word and a broadcast e-mail has gone to our contact lists.

Hoping to expand the base this week and get a couple more contact programs running.

Response has been pretty good so far!

Tom

[helinut]

AS you mentioned there are not many CF-104 around but ACAM in Halifax has a very good example, complete with engine and vulcan cannon,and bomb racks with a load one them, great examplw they got in it back in 1989 I think. serial 783

[Tom H]

ACAM has a great 104 and they have done a great job of maintaining it.

That said they are over 3000 miles from us and it's time to tell our part of the story.

I think sometimes we forget why we need the artifacts....

They are the last link to the people that made the history and allows us to tell their story.

In our case it is not just the story of the pilots and crews but also the story of the people of North West Industries.

They were a massive piece of history from their contribution on the North West Staging Route to Alaska and the Soviet Union during the Second World War right through to the early jet and and into the overhaul programs on the Starfighter.

This acquisition will allow us to tell both.

Tom