F-102A Delta Dagger Walk Around
(Soft Cover)
Product Code: SS5564

Overview

By Neubeck.
The Convair F-102A Delta Dagger was developed for the US Air
Force as a supersonic interceptor at the onset of the Cold War.
It featured a 60 degree swept delta wing to lessen drag
coefficient and yield stability at very high altitudes. True to
its design, the F-102A made more than 1,000 intercepts of Soviet
bombers in defense of Western airspace. Within the US, 22 Air
National Guard squadrons were equipped with the Dagger from 1960
until its retirement in 1976. The 102 was also deployed to
Vietnam during the war in Indochina, initially to protect bases
from North Vietnamese aircraft. Later it flew fighter patrols,
escorted B-52s and was used offensively to attack ground
installations. Exported to NATO allies Greece and Turkey, the
Turks flew the F-102A during their invasion of Cyprus in 1974.
After retirement in the US, 152 of the planes were converted to
high-speed, unmanned drones for use as test targets for newer
fighters. Illustrated with more than 200 photographs, plus color
profiles and detailed line drawings; 80 pages.