104850 CF-104 in close formation with 104759 behind low

CF-104, construction number 1150, serial number 104850, built by Canadair
CF-104 "N104RD"
Build for the Canadian Armed Forces this Starfighter was received on August 20, 1963 coded as 12850 and flew with the Canadians until May 23, 1973.
To Norwegian Air Force on November 19, 1973 with 1.921 flight hours coded as "850".
After its Norwegian career the aircraft was withdrawn from use on December 6, 1982 with 3.482 flight hours and stored at Sola AB.
Transferred to the Norwegian AF museum which exchanged the aircraft for a Harvard aircraft. The new owner became Steve Alex, Maine USA.
He wanted to make the aircraft fly worthy again and registered the aircraft N104JT for "Jet Tech systems" which was a company owned by him.
The project stopped due to circumstances and the aircraft was sold to Rick Svetkoff. He brought it over to St Petersburg in July 1997.
That same month the aircraft had its first engine runs and on October 30, 1997 it made its first "civil" flight.
It was still bare metal with a white tail. Late 1997 to early 1998 it received its bright blue-white color scheme.
In early 1999 the aircraft received a new registration "N104RD". The aircraft was always flown by the late Tom "Sharkbait" Delashaw.

copyright © Roger Seroo