Tonight we will close out the last of the "Century" series of fighters with the Convair F-106 Delta Dart.
The F-106 was a result of the USAF "Ultimate Interceptor" program of the 1950s. It was designed using the F-102 Delta Dagger as a launching point but was a much redisgned aircraft vs the F-102.
First flow in late 1956 the initial tests were a bit disappointing. However with a few design changes the Air Force decided to purchase 360 of the F-106A and F-106B. The "B" was the two seat training version of the F-106. Squadrons started to get the F-106 in 1959 eventually equiping up to 15 squadrons.
Also in 1959 Major Joseph W. Rogers set a world speed record of 1,525.96 mph while flying a Delta Dart at 40,500 feet.
The F-106 never saw combat serving in the Continetal US, Alaska, Canada and a few brief stints in Germany and South Korea. The F-106 started being replaced by the F-15 in 1972 but served until 1988 with ANG and USAF Reserve units.
On with the pics...
A F-106 on landing rollout provides the head on pic for tonites sortie.
A painting of the F-106 inflite.
A California ANG launching a practice Genie missle, IIRC.
A flite of F-106s from the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron based in Loring, Maine show off for the camera.
A F-106 from the Montana ANG 120th FG poses at Fairchild AFB during an Open House in May of 1977. I have seen aircraft from this unit at the old Richards-Gebaur open houses in the 80a and I can attest that their F-106s were always in pristine condition.
A two seat F-106B closes out tonights Sortie.
Y'all stay safe and have a great week.
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
