The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a single-seat, jet-engine interceptor in service with the US Air Force during the Cold War. It was introduced in 1956 and was retired in 1979. It was the first supersonic warplane with a delta wing configuration. With more than 1,000 aircraft built, it would be further developed into the F-106 Delta Dart.
The F-102A version of the Delta Dagger first saw combat action on November 27, 1964, in the skies over Vietnam, with the 509th Interceptor Squadron. Since then, it carried out many sorties, being successful against the Soviet MiG-17 and MiG-19 fighters. Equipped with 70mm rockets, it would also be used as a ground attack aircraft, but with little success, in this armed conflict. By the end of 1968, all Delta Daggers had been withdrawn from Vietnam.
Technical Characteristics
The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a single-seat, single-engine jet aircraft. It was fitted with delta-wings mounted low on fuselage, which was alloy metal and 'area rule' shaped. The engine air intakes were on sides of fuselage. The tail consisted of only the vertical stabilizer, with rudder, as it had no horizontal stabilizer (tailplane). The aircraft featured the Hughes MG-10 fire-control system, which was set up in the nose.
Specifications
Type: interceptor/fighter
Length: 20.84 m (68 ft, 4 inches)
Wingspan: 11.62 m (38 ft, 1 inch)
Wing Area: 61.45 square meters (662 sq. ft)
Height: 6.46 m (21 ft, 2 inches)
Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney J57-P-23 turbojet engine.
Maximum Speed: 1,328 km/h (825 mph)
Combat Range: 870 km (540 miles), with weapons.
Below, the Convair F-102 in 1960
The Delta Dagger parked on the tarmac of a US Air Force in 1957
Below, the F-102A in flight in 1959, firing its missiles during training
