Convair F-102A Delta Dagger (USA)
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April 1- September 30
9:00am - 5:00pm
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10:00am - 4:00pm
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daily year round (weather permitting),
except for the following days:
New Year's Day,
Easter,
Thanksgiving and
Christmas Day.
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The Castle Air Museum is chartered by the Department of Education and operated by the Castle Air Museum Foundation, Inc., a private not-for-profit corporation,
tax-exempt under IRS Code 501 (c)(3). The mission of the Museum is to preserve military aviation history for future generations.
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The F-102 was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the Air Force's first operational delta wing aircraft. Developed from the Convair XF-92A research aircraft, it was also the first Air Force aircraft to have an integrated weapons system. Both the fire control radar and the missiles were made by Hughes.
When the prototype flew in October 1953, it was apparent that it did not meet the design goals and could not routinely reach supersonic speeds. Convair embarked on a major redesign, based on the "area rule" developed by noted aerodynamicist Richard Whitcomb at NACA (NASA's predecessor). The revised prototype was completed in just 117 days and demonstrated that the redesign had corrected the problem. The Delta Dagger entered operational service in 1956 and eventually equipped 25 squadrons in the continental U. S. , Alaska, Hawaii, Greenland, Iceland, Okinawa and Europe. Some of the Air Force F-102s were transferred to the Greek and Turkish air forces. 111 TF-102 operational trainers were also built, seating two in a side-by-side configuration. A follow-on F-102B was planned, but the changes were so extensive that it was redesignated as the F-106 Delta Dart.
Some F-102s were sent to Vietnam, initially for air defense, but later flew escort for B-52s. One was shot down by a Mig-21 in 1968. After being withdrawn from service, a number of the remaining aircraft were converted to drones for use as missile targets. The last F-102 was phased out of Air National Guard service in 1977.
The aircraft on display flew with the 61st Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Truax Field, WI, the 59th FIS at Goose Bay, Labrador, the 146th FIS, Pennsylvania Air National Guard and last flew with the 196th FIS, California Air National Guard at Ontario. It then served as "gate guard" at the Ontario ANG Base for several years after which it was towed to Chino airport and stored. An all-volunteer crew from CAM went to Chino in early December 2004, dismantled it and trucked it to the museum restoration hangar where it underwent 17 months of work.
The 456th Fighter Interceptor Squadron flew F-102s from Castle AFB from 1958 to 1960, when they transitioned to the F-106. Two California ANG squadrons flew the F-102 - the 196th FIS at Ontario from 1965 to 1975 and the 194th FIS at Fresno from 1964-1974. The 199th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Hawaii ANG at Hickam AFB, Hawaii operated the F-102 longer than any other unit, from December 1960 to January 1977.
Specifications
Country of Origin:
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United States
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Manufacturer:
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Convair Division of General Dynamics
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Role/Function:
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Interceptor
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Serial Number:
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56-1413
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Model Number/Mk #:
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Model 8
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Crew:
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1
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Power Plant:
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1 - Pratt & Whitney J-57-P-23 turbojet engine with 16,000 lbs. of thrust in afterburner or J-57-P-11 with 17,000 lbs. thrust.
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Maximum Speed:
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825 mph. or Mach 1.25 @ 36,000 ft.
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Cruising Speed:
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n/a
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Service Ceiling:
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53,000 ft.
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Range:
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1,350 mi. (combat radius -- 730 mi.)
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Weights:
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Empty: n/a
Maximum: 31,500 lbs.
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Wing Span:
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31 ft. 1 in.
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Length:
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68 ft. 3 in. (including Pitot Tube)
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Height:
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21 ft. 2 in.
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Wing Area:
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61.5ft²/61.52m² (Original Wing) or 695 ft²/64.57m² (Conically-Cambered Wing)
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Armament:
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2 - AIM-26 nuclear tipped missile or 1 - AIM-26 and 2 - AIM-4 Falcon missiles or 6 - AIM-4 Falcon missiles and 24 - 2.75 in. folding-fin rockets in internal weapons bay
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Cost:
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$1,200,000.00
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Number Built:
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1,000
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# in Current Service:
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The F-102 left U.S. service in 1976, while the last PQM-102 drone was expended in 1986. No F-102's remain in flyable condition today although many can be seen at museums
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Other Points of Interest: