"Ed Majden"
I have never read so much B.S. about Canada's nuclear roll. The
Diefenbaker government had to be dragged into the accepting nuclear
weapons!
The F-104 was designed as a fast high altitude interceptor for the USAF.
They sold it as an inexpensive, so to speak, aircraft to several Allied
countries. The West Germans used them in a fighter roll where they became
known as the "Widow Maker" because of several accidents. The RCAF used it
as
a strike-recon low level nuclear tactical bomber. I did the acceptance
checks on these aircraft when they were delivered to 3(F)Wing in
Zweibruken,
Germany. They were brought over in C130 Hercs where they were reassembled
on arrival. I guess they didn't want to risk flying them over as they did
earlier with the Sabres and CF-100's. Do some web searching and get your
facts straight! The French and the British did develop independent
nuclear
programs but the French wanted control of any nuclear weapons on French
soil
and the U.S.A. would not do this.

Should have added, the Canadian version of the F-104 was built under
licence at Canadaire Ltd in Montreal and was designated as the CF-104.
Early versions of the F-104 had a downward ejection seat as they were
concerned about clearing the high tail. Not a good idea for the role Canada
used the CF-104 for so an upward ejection seat was used. Accidents also
often happen during take-off. Not a good idea for downward ejection at this
time. Hard on the old butt! ;-)