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Convair F-102A
Delta Dagger
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Fighter (Cold War, Vietnam)
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HEIGHT-21'2" LENGTH-68'1" WINGSPAN-38'1"
MAX WEIGHT-29,000 LBS CREW SIZE-1
ARMAMENT-INTERNAL MISSILE BAY FOR UP TO 6 HUGHES AIM-26A OR
AIM-4C FALCON MISSILES AND 24 EA 2.75" ROCKETS
MAX SPEED-1.25 MACH (900 MPH)
ENGINE-1-PW J-57-P-23 @ 17,000 LBS THRUST.
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The F-102 fighter-interceptor was derived from the XF-92, the first
delta wing aircraft. In December 1954 a YF-102A reached Mach 1.2 at
an altitude of 53,000 ft. The F-102A entered active duty in 1956 and
joined the Air National Guard in 1961. The F-102 was the first aircraft
to carry missiles internally, and could shoot them all within 10 seconds.
During Vietnam some F-102's operated in Southeast Asia as air defense and
bomber escorts. By 1978 the F-102's were being replaced by the F-106.
Over 200 were then converted into target drones. This aircraft entered
the Air Force in May 1957. It retired in 1970 and in 1996 was moved to
the March Field Air Museum. In Jan 2001 it was restored in the markings
of the 5th FIS that it first wore in 1957. In honor of the nation's
43rd president, Lt. George W. Bush was painted on the canopy as the pilot.
President Bush flew the F-102 Delta Dagger for five years with the Texas
Air National Guard.
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56-1114 served the U.S. Air Force from 1957-1970
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