Spooky

Removed the red wing tanks from my HA1011 CF-104 Starfighter and might replace them with silver ones that just arrived from HM. Thing is, I really like the look of the Starfighter "without" wing tanks. Even thought I'd like to install Sidewinder missiles at the end of each wing but figured this would not be historically correct. Perhaps there's a Sidewinder application that could work for this Starfighter other than Japan's version with Sidewinders positioned at points under the wings. Believe the CF-104 had an internal cannon but wish HM had given it a more visible weapons load. There's a recon pod provided for high altitude photos (can't be installed when on stand). Believe the Starfighter fulfilled many rolls during it's brief history with the RCAF.

Here's a quick shot I took of my CF-104 Starfighter - wing tanks off

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

RCAF F-86 Sabres Rock!

ACpilot

Canadian CF-104s never were armed with Sidewinders.

The RCN Banshee Fighters were equipped with Sidewinders until retired in 1962. The missiles were then returned to the States. The Sidewinder did not re-enter Canadian service until the CF-18 entered service in 1982.

RCAF CF-104s (prior to 1972) were used in the Reconnaissance and Nuclear Strike roles. So pretty well just the Vicon Photo pod would be carried or a Nuclear Bomb. The Vulcan Cannon was also deleted in favour of an extra fuel cell.

Later (after 1972) the Canadian Armed Forces gave up the Nuclear Strike and Reconnaissance roles and the aircraft was armed with conventional weapons and the Vulcan Cannon was installed at this time. The Natural Metal scheme was changed to an overall green scheme at the same time.

Dan

Spooky

Thanks for the very helpful info Dan...

Had heard the Starfighter initially had an ejection system where the pilot was egressed through the "bottom" of the aircraft. Do you know if this is true? If so, expect takeoff and landing incidents would have been a challenge, to say the least.

Found out from HA1011's previous owner that the red wing tanks were a bad factory fit and in order to keep them from popping off they had to be glued in place. Will most likely go back to the original red wing tanks once I get all the hardened glue removed. Don't want to harm the Starfighter in any way but it is an interesting look with wing tanks off.

Cheers,
James

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

RCAF F-86 Sabres Rock!

Spooky

While reviewing some older posts re F-104 Starfighter (weapons systems) I located this photo of HA1002 USAF F-104C showing a "sidewinder missiles pylon" (CarbonPlane 01/28/2013). Had some discussion with Kangaroo and others re somehow attaching sidewinders to CF-104 HA1011 and thought this might be done by using HA1002 missiles pod and inserting it where the recon pod is situated on HA1011. Probably not correct, nor a proper fit, but think it would look cool...

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

RCAF F-86 Sabres Rock!

Kangaroo

Sweet pic! Are you gonna pick up that Starfighter as well? Cause I know you like those darts!

Spooky

Probably won't get this one - just thought you might appreciate seeing a Hobby Master "lawn-dart" with missiles! Will eventually get CF-104 HA1060 to go with my HA1011. Any additional Starfighters will have to wait as I'm really liking the aggressive look of euro1 schemes and have Phantom HA1983 on order

__________________

To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

RCAF F-86 Sabres Rock!