BeechTalk - BT - Beechcrafters helped to build the Lockheed F-104

Username Protected · **Posted:** 06 Dec 2020, 23:22

In this Beech factory photo dated November 1959 are the aft fuselage sections for the Lockheed F-104.

I have heard that during WWII they manufactured wings for the Douglas A-26. Anyone know anything about that?

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 15:48

Beech also built part of the aft fuselage of the F-106 as well.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 16:24

What a ko-inky-dink

This was posted yesterday.

“ This #SupersonicSunday brings us the NF-104A Aerospace Trainer, 56-0756 a modification of the F-104 Starfighter. On this day in 1963 Air Force test pilot Major Robert W. Smith took flight in this rocket powered aircraft reaching Mach 2.5 and a peak altitude of 120,800 feet!

Photo: US Air Force”

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 17:05

I vaguely recall that Beech built the fuselage for the early JetRangers.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 17:07

Username Protected wrote:

I have heard that during WWII they manufactured wings for the Douglas A-26. Anyone know anything about that?

http://napoleon130.tripod.com/id882.html

Thomas P. Turner
Executive Director
ABS Air Safety Foundation

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 17:50

Username Protected wrote:

I vaguely recall that Beech built the fuselage for the early JetRangers.

Yes, they did. I was a production test pilot at beech from 1977-1981. When Beech delivered the 1000th Jet Ranger fuselage, Bell sent two Jet Rangers to Wichita and gave rides to any Beechcrafter who wanted to go. If I remember they were busy for a couple of days. I don't think there is a company out there that would do something like that today, the bean counters would never stand for it.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 18:53

It seems that Beech would build anything that someone would pay them to build. As it should be.

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 22:49

Beech also had plans for a car and a prefab house

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 23:17

Metal working being a cumulative knowledge hobby, makes great sense.
Cool to see the history of this stuff.

Tj

Username Protected · **Posted:** 07 Dec 2020, 23:55

Username Protected wrote:

It seems that Beech would build anything that someone would pay them to build. As it should be.

Look, the "V" is at the front!

Username Protected · **Posted:** 14 Dec 2020, 14:30

Sub-contracting to various aircraft manufacturers is a fairly common practice (especially with military aircraft).

Our family was in Japan from 1960-1962 getting the Japanese aircraft industry up and running to build the F-104J (Japanese version of the F-104G). Mitsubishi was the prime contractor, my Dad reported to Kawasaki Aircraft in Gifu (he was an aircraft tooling specialist for Lockheed at the time).

Nice photo of the XF104 (one of two). Most likely with Tony LeVier at the helm.

Dan

Username Protected · **Posted:** 16 Dec 2020, 12:18

Username Protected wrote:

I vaguely recall that Beech built the fuselage for the early JetRangers.

Yes, they did. I was a production test pilot at beech from 1977-1981. When Beech delivered the 1000th Jet Ranger fuselage, Bell sent two Jet Rangers to Wichita and gave rides to any Beechcrafter who wanted to go. If I remember they were busy for a couple of days. I don't think there is a company out there that would do something like that today, the bean counters would never stand for it.