Eighteen Lockheed-built F-104Gs and three Lockheed-built TF-104Gs were delivered under MAP to Spain's Ejercito del Aire in 1965. They replaced the F-86F Sabres of 61 Escuadron in Ala 6 at Torrejon. In Spanish service, they were designated C.8 (serials C.8-1 to C.8-18) and CE.8 (serials CE.8-1 to CE.8-3). The Ala 6 wing was later renumbered Ala 16 and the squadron 61 became 161 Esc and later 104 Esc.
The EdA Starfighters had the distinction of operating without a single accident during their seven years of service. They were formally retired from EdA service in May of 1972, when they were replaced by the F-4C Phantom. All of the EdA Starfighters were returned to the USAF for transfer to Greece and Turkey.
Sources:
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The Lockheed F-104G/CF-104, Gerhard Joos, Aircraft in Profile No.
131, Doubleday, 1969.
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The World's Great Interceptor Aircraft, Gallery Books, 1989.
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Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, Steve Pace, Motorbooks International,
1992.
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Lockheed Aircraft Since 1913, Rene J. Francillon, Naval Institute
Press, 1987.
- Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, John Fricker, Wings of Fame, Vol 2, Aerospace Publishing Ltd, 1996.
