In what is becoming a race against the calendar the Alberta Aviation Museum is working hard to raise the needed dollars to import an F-104 (2) seat Starfighter from Europe.

Because of the demand for Starfighters in the commercial market and the tight time line the Museum has had to turn to the public for assistance.

Normally the museum acquires aircraft one of two ways.
1) By donation of the aircraft by the owner/restoration costs covered by applying for various grants available through the Governments and Private interests.
2) By collecting unwanted wrecks or parts over an extended period of time and then applying for grants (as above) for the restoration

In the case of the Starfighter our normal methods will not work.

The Starfighter has seen increasing commercial demand by companies offering high altitude/zero “G” training, threat simulation for military exercises and as recently discovered launching “Sub Orbital” research rockets. Because of this demand both aircraft capable of being returned to flight and complete aircraft suitable for parts have seen increasing demand and dollar value.
The Starfighter being an extremely complex and (comparatively) advanced aircraft has meant that the tried and true system of gathering parts over an extended time unviable due to the sheer volume of complex systems on the aircraft.

The Starfighter that the Museum is working to acquire is essentially identical to the CF-104D (2) seaters flown from CFB Cold Lake from the early 1960s to the mid 1980s and is intact right down to the equipment in the cockpit and the engine creating a unique opportunity to restore and present the aircraft to all Edmontonians and Albertans. Just as important it is of the same type and equipment as the Starfighters overhauled here in Edmonton by North West Industries, a time when Edmonton, through North West Industries, was a leader internationally in aerospace. All Canadian Starfighters were overhauled at North West Industries at what is now City Centre Airport.

The Alberta Aviation Museum needs your help to acquire this aircraft so we can tell the story of both Alberta’s Air Force personnel that operated the Starfighter and of the Edmontonians that overhauled and maintained this amazing aircraft.

Thomas Hinderks
Executive Director
Alberta Aviation Museum

Thanks for all the input everyone it is really appreciated.

Mods

Is it ok to post when the shirts are ready?

Tom

Thanks for all the input everyone, its appreciated

Fouga23

The product line we are developing for production will be the type of art work you see.

Each new image will have one unique feature of the aircraft in colour…in this case Daisy Mae. Others will have different features highlighted depending on what is unique to the aircraft in the collection.

The idea is to highlight the uniqueness and in consultation with staff, members and a selection of non aviation folks the single bit of colour makes the image pop and attracts the eye, while highlighting the unique feature.

Not being an artsy kinda guy I use alot of feed back in making image decisions…one reason I’ve posted the new image here.

Thanks for your specific input

Tom

No projected time line yet Warren

Still evaluating the art work which is why I am seeking opinions

Thanks for yours!

Tom

Thanks so much I will give him a try as soon as I get a chance.

Tom

The photo was of a production line immediately at the end of the war.

It showed line ups of incomplete aircraft in out door storage due to a lack of engines and wooded wheels due to no rubber.

They were 109s as I recall.

Any help is appreciated.

Tom

Morning JDK

After using some leads here it appears that based on the names of the crew, when it was lost and the confirmation of the squadron they were serving with that the aircraft was BJ968.

The artist produced the painting based on word of mouth information and used BJ958.

As he is not by any stretch an aviation type much less an aviation history type I can see the mistake.

As the painting itself (already completed) tells a phenomenal story and is a great tribute to all of those that did not get to come home it is in my mind a minor artistic error that does not dilute the effort and talent the artist has out into creating the image and recognizing the story of the crew.

But yes you are right I fully plan on passing all the information to him in private and quietly.

Kev35
We are going to attempt to pull the service record when time permits, this has all happened in the last few days so there won’t be time before Nov 11th, but i believe it is important we not just display the painting but tell the story of the crew…they are the real story and history.

Once again I thank you all for your valuable assistance.

Tom

Thanks so much for the additional information gentlemen.

Thanks to your help we have been able to discover the poor artist has the right A/C number but the wrong serial number!

Poor guy don’t know if I have the heart at this point to let him know!

But the sentiment and the painting are wonderful and will bring a special feel to the Remembrance Day ceremony.

Tom