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What part of the F-104s did Lockheed itself build?

Short answer

Most production came from other factories: the F-104G was built by Lockheed, but also by Canadair and a European consortium with Messerschmitt/MBB, Dornier, Fiat, Fokker and SABCA. Lockheed contributed 191 two-seat trainers for Europe and Canada, plus spare parts and technical support.

What part of the F-104s did Lockheed itself build?
F-104 right side view

A fighter built on an international assembly line

The F-104G was built by Lockheed and, under license, by Canadair and a consortium of European companies including Messerschmitt/MBB, Dornier, Fiat, Fokker, and SABCA. The consortium was organized into four groups: ARGE South, with Messerschmitt, Heinkel, Dornier, and Siebel; ARGE North, with Hamburger Flugzeugbau, Focke-Wulf, and Weserflug in Germany plus Fokker and Aviolanda in the Netherlands; the West Group, with SABCA and Avions Fairey in Belgium; and the Italian Group, with Fiat, Macchi, Piaggio, SACA, and SIAI-Marchetti. The four groups received contracts to build 210, 350, 189, and 200 F-104Gs, respectively.

What came from Lockheed

Lockheed itself built 191 two-seat trainers intended for both Europe and Canada, and also supplied spare parts and technical support.

Canadair's role

Canadair was chosen to build 200 aircraft for the RCAF under license from Lockheed, which also gave it a contract to build wing sets, tail assemblies, and rear fuselage sections for 66 F-104Gs destined for the West German air force. Canada, which had likewise chosen the Starfighter to meet its NATO obligations, delivered 121 wing sets, rear fuselages, and tail assemblies built by Canadair to Europe, while building 200 CF-104s with Orenda engines for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Canadair ultimately built a total of 600 wing, tail, and fuselage sections. In its final tally, the company made 200 CF-104s for the Canadian armed forces and 140 F-104Gs for Lockheed.

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