637 is flying again!

[Colonel]

[url=https://theaviationist.com/2016/09/30/c ... in-norway/]https://theaviationist.com/2016/09/30/c ... in-norway/[/url]

On Sept. 28, CF-104D Starfighter “637” / LN-STF in the colors of the Royal Norwegian Air Force flew again in Bodø, Norway, 33 years after its first flight.

Chased by a dual seater F-16B of the RNoAF, the aircraft, brought back to airworthy conditions in 13 years by the Norwegian Foreningen Starfighterens Venner (Friends of the Starfighter Association) flew for about 50 minutes becoming the first “Zipper” (or “Missile with a man in it” in accordance to one of the several nicknames the legendary plane has had during its long career) to fly in Europe in more than 11 years: the last flight of an F-104 in the Old Continent took place in Italy, on Jul. 27, 2005, when the Italian Air Force retired its last aircraft (a two-seater TF-104, the same type of aircraft this Author had the opportunity to fly in November 2000) after more than 40 years of service.

Eskil Amdal, a Norwegian test pilot, flew the Starfighter “637” during its newest “first flight” that was broadcast live on Facebook.

The following video shows the takeoff of the chase F-16B that performed an airborne pickup of the F-104 and the later approach and landing:

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[img width=500 height=272]https://theaviationist.com/wp-content/u ... akeoff.jpg[/img]

I'm glad it's in Norway, where people like aviation.

One can only imagine the hostility and obstructions
from TC if this project was attempted in the banana
republic of Canada.

Being a "D", it was not actually made in Canada - it
was picked up in Burbank by RCAF pilots that TC hates.

[mmm...bacon]

sure, but is she flying off grass? and i don't see no stinking tailwheel! 8)

[Four Bars]

That last clip appears to show several go-arounds before finally a full-stop landing. Might there have been an issue with the aircraft or the approaches?

[David MacRay]

They sure make some scary and fun noises.