HomeVisitMuseum ExhibitsFact SheetsDisplay

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger

Published May 29, 2015

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 1 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo)

Museum Aircraft
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 2 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio (05/11/2020) -- Museum restoration crews move the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger​ on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Museum Aircraft
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 3 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio (05/11/2020) -- Museum restoration crews move the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Museum Aircraft
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 4 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio (05/11/2020) -- Museum restoration crews move the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger​ on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Museum Aircraft
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 5 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio (05/11/2020) -- Museum restoration crews move the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger​ on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Museum Aircraft
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 6 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio (05/11/2020) -- Museum restoration crews move the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger​ on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 7 of 16

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 8 of 16

Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 9 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ben Strasser)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 10 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A cockpit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Photo courtesy of John Rossino, Lockheed Martin Code One)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 11 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A cockpit at the National Museum of the United States Air Force. (Photo courtesy of John Rossino, Lockheed Martin Code One)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 12 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 13 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 14 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 15 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)
PHOTO DETAILS  /   DOWNLOAD HI-RES 16 of 16

DAYTON, Ohio -- Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force (U.S. Air Force photo by Ken LaRock)

PRINT | E-MAIL

The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the USAF's first operational delta-wing aircraft. The F-102 made its initial flight on Oct. 24, 1953, and became operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late 1950s, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, 889 of which were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102As as combat trainers with side-by-side seating.

In a wartime situation, after electronic equipment on board the F-102 had located the enemy aircraft, the F-102's radar would guide it into position for attack. At the proper moment, the electronic fire control system would automatically fire the F-102's air-to-air rockets and missiles.

The F-102A on display served the 57th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in Iceland. On various occasions, it encountered Soviet aircraft flying reconnaissance missions over the arctic (see photo). It was flown to the museum in 1971.

TECHNICAL NOTES:
Armament: 24 unguided 2.75-in. rockets and six guided missiles
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J57 of 16,000 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Maximum speed: 810 mph
Cruising speed: 600 mph
Range: 1,000 miles
Ceiling: 55,000 ft.
Span: 38 ft. 1 in.
Length: 68 ft. 4 in. (including boom)
Height: 21 ft. 2 in.
Weight: 31,559 lbs. maximum
Serial number: 56-1416
Click here to return to the Cold War Gallery.

 

 

Find Out More
Line
Related Fact Sheets
Pratt & Whitney J57 Turbojet Engine
Line
Note: The appearance of hyperlinks does not constitute endorsement by the National Museum of the USAF, the U.S. Air Force, or the Department of Defense, of the external website, or the information, products or services contained therein.

Please note the museum’s parking lot is undergoing construction and repaving through the end of April. There should be minimal disruption to visitors. In addition, Springfield Street, the road that leads to the museum’s entrance, is undergoing construction through the beginning of September. Expect lane reductions and some delays. Please follow the signs and instructions provided by the road crews.

Featured Links

Plan Your Visit button
E-newsletter Sign-up button
Explore Museum Exhibits button
Browse Photos button
Visit Press Room button
Become a Volunteer button
Air Force Museum Foundation button
Donate an item button