The Canadian built CF-104 Starfighter was one of the most successful jet fighter aircraft to serve with Canada's Air Force. A total of 340 fighters were built under license by the Canadian government. The CF-104 was designed as a light-weight nuclear strike aircraft. The aircraft were retired from service in 1986 after being used for over 25 years until it was replaced by the CF-18.
CF-104 bearing number 104758 served with 439 Sabre Tooth Tiger Squadron, and is painted in the colors of one of several aircraft during the 439's stay in Europe. The distinctive yellow and black (tiger) stripes represent the squadron's entry into the NATO "Tiger Meet." Many countries would participate in the exchange and competition by squadron's in Europe that had the tiger as their symbol.
This aircraft is on loan to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum through the kind cooperation of the Western Canada Aviation Museum ad the Department of National Defense.
The CF-104 in front of the museum, bearing serial number 101641, is the "D" model built by Lockheed of which there were 39 purchased for training.
