Marville, France
CF-104 Photographs

In the days of the F-86, Sabre aircraft were assigned to squadrons and painted with appropriate markings. This made it easy to determine what squadron an F-86 belonged to. It appears as if this approach was to continue with the arrival of the CF-104. We understand, as an example, that CF-104 #12854 was initially allocated to 441 Squadron. Somewhere along the way, there was a change in plan and all CF-104 aircraft were amalgamagted and became part of a fleet.

Under the new concept, CF-104 aircraft had no tail markings other than the aircraft serial number and the Canadian flag. The two squadrons at Marville became Photo Reconnaissance Roll. All ground personnel became ASO (Aircraft Servicing Organization) with launch and recovery and small snags (under 8 hours) carried out in the old 439 Squadron hangar. Larger snags (over 8 hours) were repaired in the old 441 Squadron hangar and scheduled maintenance carried out in the old 445 Squadron (CF-100) hangar at the other end of the airfield. Aircrew remained specific to the two squadrons.