CF-104 "705" of the Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE) during BL-755 cluster bomb trials

CF-104, Canadair model CL-90, Lockheed model 683-04-12, Canadair construction number 683A-1005, RCAF serial number 12705, built by Canadair
first flight September 15, 1961 in Cartierville, taken on service by RCAF as CF-104 serial number 12705 November 15, 1961; first unit CEPE; reserialed as 104705 effective June 1970
crashed with AETE December 11, 1981 near Cold Lake, pilot got a "white-out" with inadvertent contact to lake ice surface
landing gear extended only partly, successful controlled ejection; struck off service January 29, 1982; rear fuselage noted with Reynolds-Alberta Museum (Wetaskiwin, Alberta) in February 2002.

Note: "world's fastest snowmobile": 104705 grazed the frozen surface of a lake during white-out conditions during a two-ship mission
the pilot was able to lift off the surface and return to base, but a piece of metal was folded over the right main gear door, preventing it from opening, so he had to eject.

Central Experimental and Proving Establishment (CEPE)
later re-named Aerospace Engineering and Test Establishment (AETE), Cold Lake, Alberta

copyright © Peitzmeier archive