Starfighter: A Loving Retrospective of the CF-104 Era in Canadian Fighter Aviation, 1961-1986

Ross Willmot is Executive Director of the Ontario Association for
Continuing Education.

Here’s all the dash and derring-do of Starfighter pilots. These
characteristics first came to Canada’s attention on a trial delivery
flight of the CF–104, when the pilot aimed a playful sonic boom at the
Ottawa airport control tower. Much broken glass, confusion, and bad
publicity resulted.

These sorts of shenanigans, common to most fighter pilots, are
chronicled in this all-inclusive history of Canada’s mainstay defence
for 25 years. The changing role of this versatile weapon, as well as its
technical record, is well told by this pilot, who has logged 2400 hours
on the CF–104. His first book, Sting of the Hornet, was about the
CF–18, which he also flew. Many of those involved with the CF–104
also contributed their particular experiences to this saga.

Everything you might want to know about this controversial aircraft and
the daring young men in this particular flying machine is told here in a
readable style enhanced by superb photographs and paintings.