And a small handful of morning clues. Thanks; Ernie P.
What aircraft do I describe?
Clues:
1. It was designed as a fighter. That is significant to the story.
2. It was designed by a governmental department.
3. It was then farmed out to a private company for manufacture.
4. But the government built a few as well.
5. And the manufacturer selected added in some wrinkles of its own.
6. By the time it was all done, there were nearly as many variants as aircraft produced.