CF-104D N104NL "Northern Light" at Atlanta Airport 1987

CF-104D, Lockheed model 583-04-15, Lookheed construction number 583A-5302, RCAF serial number 12632, Mk 1 (Dual Training Aircraft), built by Canadair

build for the Canadian Armed Forces this Starfighter was received on May 1, 1962 and flew with the Canadians until May 23, 1973
sold to Norway April 14, 1973 it was taken into service by the Norwegian Air Force as CF-104D "4632" on September 14, 1973
withdrawn from service on November 19, 1982 and stored at Flesland AB, Norway
 The aircraft was sold to the company Northern Light in the USA in 1987
In 1987 it was seen in the USA still wearing the green Norwegian colors but already wearing the new civil registration "N104NL" (Northern Light)
The aircraft was polished to bare metal and made its first civil flight on May 16, 1989 at Mojave Airport
Soon after the aircraft received its famous light blue-overall Northern Light colors. In June 1993 it was grounded by the FAA and put up for sale
In 1994 it was sold to Thunderbird Aviation, Deer Valley which used the aircraft later on for specific contract work (US Navy included)
The aircraft received a new registration "N166TB" (Thunder Bird) and was painted blue grey/white
After a while Thunderbird Aviation was willing to sell the aircraft and by that time it was bought by
Rick Svetkoff (January 1996) for his planned Starfighter demonstration team.
At that moment the aircraft was not fly worthy and was brought over to St Petersburg where it arrived in February 1996
In October 1996 the first taxi-runs were executed and soon after the aircraft was flown again
The first flight was made from Montgomery Alabama. Late 1997/early 1998 the aircraft received its bright blue-white "STARFIGHTERS" color scheme
The N166TB registration was changed into "N104RB" in November 1997, not to remember the famous "Red Baron" Starfighter but
just to have 104 again in the registration together with the initials of Rick and his wife Brenda
Rick Svetkoff is flying this two-seater during the demonstrations; April 2019 noted; stored February 2023; used for spares in 2024
N104RB is listed for sale on Barnstormers at a price of $4,250,000 in December 2024.

 gone !

copyright © Günter Grondstein