For much of the past year, WarbirdsNews has been following efforts in Norway to return a former Norwegian Air Force Lockheed CF-104D Starfighter back into flying condition. “Project 637″ came a step closer to completion in December when the restoration team received an important missing part, the main fuel hose assembly. Helge Andreassen, the restoration project manager, stated “Thanks to S&S Turbine Services Ltd, Fort St.John, British Columbia, Canada, this problem has now been solved. The owner, Robin Sipe, shipped us the hose for free! Friends like Robin are hard to find.”
The team will have to remove the aft section, roll back the engine and change the hose. Work will commence in the new year. Following the fuel hose installation, only minor details will remain before the Starfighter will be airworthy once more. One of these tasks will involve modifying the forward floor hatch to protect antenna wiring and give the pilot a better foot rest.
As WarbirdsNews reported earlier, Helge Andreassen made a successful afterburner test run with their CF-104D Starfighter at Bodø Air Base on October 20th, with the freshly installed Martin Baker ejection seats. Andraessen responding to questions about when the aircraft would be flying again that, “In respect of all of you who are following us; ‘637 is coming along. We are optimistic. We need a qualified test pilot in order to do two to three test flights. The pilot has been selected. If we are successful, he will be nominated TRI/TRE on the type. We have to see what comes out of it before we make future and firm plans.” That being said, the team will endeavor to have the Starfighter, registered as LN-STF, flying sometime in late spring. Anyone wishing to support this project should visit their main site HERE or their Facebook page.
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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.
