Global Scale Modeller

This one…

The Canadair CF-104 Starfighter (CF-111, CL-90) is a modified version of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter supersonic fighter aircraft built in Canada by Canadair under licence. It was primarily used as a ground attack aircraft, despite being designed as an interceptor. It served with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) and later the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) until it was replaced by the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet.

The CF-104 entered Canadian service in March 1962. Originally designed as a supersonic interceptor aircraft, it was used primarily for low-level strike and reconnaissance by the RCAF. Eight CF-104 squadrons were originally stationed in Europe as part of Canada's NATO commitment. This was reduced to six in 1967, with a further reduction to three squadrons in 1970.[9] Up to 1971, this included a nuclear strike role that would see Canadian aircraft armed with US-supplied nuclear weapons in the event of a conflict with Warsaw Pact forces. During its service life the CF-104 carried the B28, B43 and B57 nuclear weapons.

On 22 May 1983, during an airshow at the Rhein-Main Air Base, a Canadian CF-104 Starfighter crashed onto a nearby road, hitting a car and killing all passengers, a vicar's family of five. The pilot was able to eject.

Parker wrote: Sat Aug 19, 2023 8:26 am On 22 May 1983, during an airshow at the Rhein-Main Air Base, a Canadian CF-104 Starfighter crashed onto a nearby road, hitting a car and killing all passengers, a vicar's family of five. The pilot was able to eject.

The Luftwaffe used the F-104 in a similar role of low level strike in the 70's. It wasn't very popular with its pilots gaining the unaffectionate nickname of the "Witwenmacher" (widowmaker). Because the ejection seat apparently fired downwards to avoid the razorsharp tail it was said - in typical military black humour - to be the Luftwaffes most economical post war fighter as it combined the act of ejecting, ending and burying the pilot all in one. It was replaced in service by, IIRC, F4 Phantoms towards the end of the decade.

Didn't know Canada had these, very cool!

Weathering is going to be interesting.

That's a nice kit I've trying to get my hands on for a while now but always too expensive. I have pictures of the real plane if you're interested. Send me your email by private message. I saw it last it in our national museum. Pretty cool !

This is a kit that's been on my "maybe" list for quite a while so really looking forward to seeing how it builds up

I remember a group of German F-104's buzzing our firing position during the 1982 REFORGER exercise. What I remember most was that they were fast and loud.

Quick update.

Everything is coming together very well, this kit is a dream to work with.
Perfect positioning and lining up of components, the manufacturing is top notch.









up up and away.

P

Excellent choice and a pretty good start, i didn't know that this kind of "missile with a pilot" could be used as a low strike fighter!

Looks good so far.

Nice start ! is the fit good ? Always heard it on the good and bad side for Kinetic

That's off to a great start - looking very tidy

Garion77 wrote: Thu Aug 24, 2023 11:00 am Nice start ! is the fit good ? Always heard it on the good and bad side for Kinetic

Very good fit. Like a glove so far.

Getting pointy.











zooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm MACH 2

- P

Nice project
I am surprised these are not still in Canadian Air Force service

Could have used it as a dart.

Tiny wings!

Looking fast now…








Zooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmm!

Yes it looks like a missile that's been converted to fighter duties.
Can't imagine it's turn radius.

It’s turning radius was a flat spin.

Parker wrote: Sun Sep 03, 2023 3:14 am It’s turning radius was a flat spin.

Hi all, its been a while.
Life, etc. Hope you're all well.

After many a year, I decided that looking at a half finished model in a cupboard, it was time to give it a go again.
Opened the tool box, and reacquainted my self with all the bits and bobs.

Started painting. I'll post pics at some point.

Cheers all.
P

Parker wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 3:39 am Hi all, its been a while.
Life, etc. Hope you're all well.

After many a year, I decided that looking at a half finished model in a cupboard, it was time to give it a go again.
Opened the tool box, and reacquainted my self with all the bits and bobs.

Started painting. I'll post pics at some point.

Cheers all.
P

Hi Parker,

Great to see you back on the forum. I can't believe its two and a half years! I hope you are well.

The F104 is such an amazing looking aircraft. I had not appreciated just how small the wings are, relative to the size of the fuselage, until I saw the pics of the newly attached wings and tanks. I'm surprised it ever got off the ground!

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 9:28 am

Parker wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 3:39 am Hi all, its been a while.
Life, etc. Hope you're all well.

After many a year, I decided that looking at a half finished model in a cupboard, it was time to give it a go again.
Opened the tool box, and reacquainted my self with all the bits and bobs.

Started painting. I'll post pics at some point.

Cheers all.
P

Hi Parker,

Great to see you back on the forum. I can't believe its two and a half years! I hope you are well.

The F104 is such an amazing looking aircraft. I had not appreciated just how small the wings are, relative to the size of the fuselage, until I saw the pics of the newly attached wings and tanks. I'm surprised it ever got off the ground!

A brick will fly if it has a big enough engine.

And it is nice to see you back posting again.

Cheers fellas.
Nice to see a few familiar names.

Painting

Did that work?
I’ve forgotten how to post pics.

Parker wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 10:14 am Did that work?
I’ve forgotten how to post pics.

Looks good to me

digger303 wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 2:21 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 9:28 am

Parker wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 3:39 am Hi all, its been a while.
Life, etc. Hope you're all well.

After many a year, I decided that looking at a half finished model in a cupboard, it was time to give it a go again.
Opened the tool box, and reacquainted my self with all the bits and bobs.

Started painting. I'll post pics at some point.

Cheers all.
P

Hi Parker,

Great to see you back on the forum. I can't believe its two and a half years! I hope you are well.

The F104 is such an amazing looking aircraft. I had not appreciated just how small the wings are, relative to the size of the fuselage, until I saw the pics of the newly attached wings and tanks. I'm surprised it ever got off the ground!

A brick will fly if it has a big enough engine.

And it is nice to see you back posting again.

Ah yes, the Soviet philosophy of aviation:
Does it fly - Y/N?
If Y - OK
If N put a bigger engine in.
Does it fly now - Y/N?
If Y - OK
Does it fly now - Y/N?
If Y - OK
If N - put a bigger engine in.
Does it fly now - Y/N
If Y - OK
If N - put a bigger engine in
Does it fly now - Y/N
If Y - OK
If N is there a bigger engine?
If Y - fit it and repeat cycle
If N - can one be designed?
If Y - design and repeat cycle.
If N - send the designers to a gulag!!

RangerNeil wrote: Tue May 26, 2026 3:30 pm

digger303 wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 2:21 pm

Stokesy44 wrote: Mon May 25, 2026 9:28 am

Hi Parker,

Great to see you back on the forum. I can't believe its two and a half years! I hope you are well.

The F104 is such an amazing looking aircraft. I had not appreciated just how small the wings are, relative to the size of the fuselage, until I saw the pics of the newly attached wings and tanks. I'm surprised it ever got off the ground!

A brick will fly if it has a big enough engine.

And it is nice to see you back posting again.

Ah yes, the Soviet philosophy of aviation:
Does it fly - Y/N?
If Y - OK
If N put a bigger engine in.
Does it fly now - Y/N?
If Y - OK
Does it fly now - Y/N?
If Y - OK
If N - put a bigger engine in.
Does it fly now - Y/N
If Y - OK
If N - put a bigger engine in
Does it fly now - Y/N
If Y - OK
If N is there a bigger engine?
If Y - fit it and repeat cycle
If N - can one be designed?
If Y - design and repeat cycle.
If N - send the designers to a gulag!!