CF-104 "786" CAF of the 421 "Red Indian" squadron 1 CAG at Bitburg Armed Forces Day 1972

CF-104, Canadair Model CL-90, Lockheed Model 683-04-12, construction number 683A-1086, built by Canadair
first flight on May 7, 1962; delivery date October 24, 1962
struck off service by 1 CAG on April 8, 1986 with "Red Indian" squadron
taken on service by the Turkish Air Force (TuAF serial number 62-786) on May 7, 1986
coded "8-786"  of 182 Filo withdrawn from use 1994, scrapped in accordance with the CFE Treaty in 1994
preserved on pole near the harbour in Izmir, May 1998 first noted; January 10, 2008 last noted, in gear down configuration
December 11, 2009 noted preserved on pole at a new position in gear down configuration
at Sevgi mountain south of Gaziemir/Izmir; August 2024 noted.

38°18'35.29"N 27°7'46.61"E

421 (Red Indian) Squadron: 2 Wing, Gros-Tenquin; France/Baden-Sollingen 1963 to 1985
In February of 1964, even before France withdrew from NATO in 1966, 2 Wing at Gros-Tenquin was disbanded
and its two CF-104 squadrons were transferred elsewhere, 421 moving to 4 Wing at Baden-Sollingen
421 was a component of the 1 Canadian Air Group based in Baden-Sollingen, West Germany
It flew the CF-104 Starfighter until re-equipped with the CF-18 Hornet in 1985. 421 was formed as 421 (Fighter) Squadron on April 9, 1942

copyright © Peter Doll