As previously reported by Warbirds News, the Alberta Aviation Museum has acquired an F-104 Starfighter from The Netherlands. The Starfighter was delivered in two shipping containers this past Friday morning.
Tim Hinderks, executive director of the Alberta Aviation Museum said with a big smile on his face, “It’s the culmination of a lot of work by a lot of people, across three countries, two continents and an ocean, to bring her here today,”
The Aviation Museum raised thousands of dollars in donations from the public and aviation enthusiasts from all across Canada to help acquire the plane in 2011. They also received a $40,000 donation from the family of Don Hamilton, who was an avid supporter of the downtown airport where his company Air Spray Ltd. resides. Hamilton passed away in 2011.
Hinderks continued, “Part of the problem with finding a Starfighter was to find one that was complete. All the systems are in this aircraft, the engine’s going to be in it, it’s all there so it can be used as part of our education program.”
The aircraft was used with the Royal Netherlands Air Force until 1984, when it was retired from service and transferred to a museum in the Netherlands.
The purchase and restoration costs are estimated to be approximately $75,000. The Starfighter will hangared for the next 180 days being reassembled and restored by a team of 12 volunteers. The plan is to repaint the plane with grey, white and red details to resemble a Starfighter used by the 417 squadron at CFB Cold Lake.
Born in Milan, Italy, Moreno moved to the U.S. in 1999 to pursue a career as a commercial pilot. His aviation passion began early, inspired by his uncle, an F-104 Starfighter Crew Chief, and his father, a military traffic controller. Childhood adventures included camping outside military bases and watching planes at Aeroporto Linate. In 1999, he relocated to Atlanta, Georgia, to obtain his commercial pilot license, a move that became permanent. With 24 years in the U.S., he now flies full-time for a Part 91 business aviation company in Atlanta. He is actively involved with the Commemorative Air Force, the D-Day Squadron, and other aviation organizations. He enjoys life with his supportive wife and three wonderful children.
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