Hobby Master HA1016 1:72 CF-104

Hobby Master HA1016 1:72 CF-104 s/n 104783, No. 417 Squadron 1983 (c/n 1083)

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.

The 417 Squadron nickname is “City of Windsor” and their motto “Supporting Liberty and Justice”. The squadron was formed as part of the RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) in England on November 27, 1941 and flew Spitfires. The squadron was disbanded in June 1945 until 1947 when they were re-formed. One year later they disbanded until 1970 when they were re-formed as the CAF (Canadian Armed Forces) 417 Operational
Training Unit (OTU) for CF-104s at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta. Later and still at Cold Lake
the squadron was re-designated as the 417 Strike/Reconnaissance Operational Training Squadron. They continued in this role until they were phased out in April 1983 with the same fate for the CF-104 in 1987. The CF-104 was replaced by the CF-18 Hornet. In 1993 417 Squadron re-appeared but in a different role. S/N 104783 spent its entire life in Cold Lake, Alberta. During its time there it took part in several display teams. When the CAF retired the CF-104s this plane was stored at CFD Mountain View, Ontario. On September 7, 1988 the aircraft was finally struck off the inventory and loaded on a truck. It was transported to the Atlantic Canada Aviation Museum near the Halifax Nova Scotia airport (Robert L. Stanfield Airport) were it is on display.