The Starfighter was designed as a light-weight jet in response to the heavier jet fighters that were trendy at the time. It's thin edges and straight lines made it look more like a missile than an airplane - representing the change approach to aerodynamics present in 1961.
Built by Canadair with Orenda engines, the Starfighter introduced RCAF pilots to supersonic flight, drag chutes, leading and trailing flaps, and afterburners.
The CL-90 set new world records for altitude (103,389 feet or 31,513 m), and in 1964 Jacqueline Cochrane beat her women's speed record previously set in an F-86 Sabre.
Not only did it beat Sabre records, the Starfighter eventually replaced the F-86 in RCAF service.
The Starfighter earned its reputation as the "widowmaker" as there were many fatal accidents in the plane. In the pilots handbook there were 17 critical and 21 less critical situation listings. For many, the final solution was eject!
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