| The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was designed to be an interceptor aircraft and act as the core of USAF air defenses in the late 1950s. The F-102 first appeared in service in 1956 with the task to intercept Soviet bombers. The official name for the F-102 was “Delta Dagger” but the most common term used was “Deuce”. There was 889 F-102As manufactured when production ended in September 1958. The Deuce served in Vietnam on fighter patrols and bomber escort. 15 F-102s were lost while in Vietnam. The 317th Fighter Squadron was originally activated on July 1, 1942 as part of the “Checker Tails” 325th FG. The 317th was the second squadron to transition to the F-102 beginning in November 1956. In August 1957 the 317th was reassigned to Elmendorf AFB, Alaska. Their role was to protect the southern portion of Alaska and the northwest approaches to the United States from invading Soviet bombers. Due to budget restraints the 317th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was in activated in December 1969. Specifications Convair (F-102A) Delta Dagger “Deuce” Role - Supersonic All-Weather, delta wing interceptor Crew – 1 pilot Number Produced – 889 Dimensions Length – 68 ft 4 in (20.83 m) Wingspan – 38 ft 1 in (11.61 m) Height – 21 ft 2 in (6.45 m) Weight Empty – 19,350 lb 8,777 kg) Loaded – 24,500 lb (11,100 kg) Maximum Takeoff – 31,500 lb (14,300 kg) Powerplant – 1 x Pratt & Whitney J57-P-25 afterburning turbojet Thrust Dry – 11,700 lbf (8,777 kg) With Afterburner – 17,200 lbf (76.5 kN) Fuel Internal – 1.085 US gal (4,107 l) External – 2 x 215 US gal (815 l) drop tanks Performance Maximum Speed – Mach 1.25 (825 mph, 1,304 km/h) @ 40,000 ft (12,190 m) Service Ceiling – 53,400 ft (16,300 m) ROC – 13,000 ft/min (66 m/s) Range – 1,350 nm (2,175 km) Armament Rockets – 24 x 2.75 in (70 mm) FFAR (Folding Fin Aerial Rocket) unguided rockets in missile bay doors Missiles AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air AIM-26 Falcon with conventional or nuclear warhead Missiles were contained in 3 bays inside the aircraft belly Avionics – MG-10 fire control system designed by Hughes Aircraft Company |
| Hobby Master 1/72 Air Power Series HA3101 Convair F-102 Delta Dagger 317th FIS, 21st Composite Wing, Alaskan Air Command, Alaska 1968 |