"The Ultimate Interceptor."
- DoD reference to the newly developed production version of the F-102 Delta Dagger

The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger is an interceptor aircraft designed and produced by the American aircraft manufacturer Convair. A member of the Century Series, the F-102 was the first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter operated by the United States Air Force (USAF).

The F-102 was designed in response to a requirement, known as the 1954 Ultimate Interceptor, produced by USAF officials during the late 1940s. Its main purpose was to be the backbone of American air defenses and to intercept approaching Soviet strategic bomber fleets (primarily the Tupolev Tu-95) during the Cold War. The aircraft was designed alongside a sophisticated fire-control system (FCS); however, a simplified unit had to be adopted due to development difficulties. It used an internal weapons bay to carry both guided missiles and rockets. On 23 October 1953, the prototype YF-102 performed its maiden flight; however, it was destroyed in an accident only nine days later. The second prototype allowed flight testing to resume three months later, but results were disappointing: as originally designed, the aircraft could not achieve Mach 1 supersonic flight.

To improve its performance prior to quantity production commencing, the F-102 was redesigned, its fuselage was reshaped in accordance with the area rule while a thinner and wider wing was also adopted. Flight testing demonstrated sufficient performance improvements for the USAF to be persuaded to permit its production; a new production contract was signed during March 1954. Following its entry to USAF service in 1956, the F-102 promptly replaced various subsonic fighter types, such as the Northrop F-89 Scorpion, in the interceptor role. The F-102C tactical attack model, equipped with several improvements, including a more powerful engine and Gatling gun, was proposed but not ultimately pursued. A total of 1,000 F-102s were built, both for the USAF and a handful of export customers, including the Hellenic Air Force and the Turkish Air Force.

By the 1960s, USAF F-102s had participated in a limited capacity in the Vietnam War as a bomber escort and even in the ground-attack role. The aircraft was supplemented by McDonnell F-101 Voodoos and, later on, by McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs. Over time, many F-102s were retrofitted with infrared search/tracking systems, radar warning receivers, transponders, backup artificial horizons, and modified fire-control systems. Throughout the mid-to-late 1960s, many USAF F-102s were transferred from the active duty Air Force to the Air National Guard, and, with the exception of those examples converted to unmanned QF-102 Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) drones, the type was totally retired from operational service in 1976. Its principal successor in the interceptor role was the Mach 2-capable Convair F-106 Delta Dart, which was an extensive redesign of the F-102.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale rendition of a Greek Convair F-102A Delta Dagger interceptor that was attached to the 342 All-Weather Squadron, 114 Combat Wing then deployed to Tanagra, Greece. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches
Length: 11-1/4-inches

Release Date: February 2011

Historical Account: "Greek Salad" - After the end of the Greek Civil War, in November 1950, in order to assist the United Nations, Greece sent to South Korea seven C-47 Dakota aircraft of the 13th Transport Aircraft Squadron. The Greek Aircraft operated in Korea until May 1955. Greek pilots flew thousands of war missions such as air evacuations, transports of personnel, prisoners of war and every kind of material, drops of supplies and ammunition and collection of information. In 1952, Greece was admitted to NATO and the Air Force was rebuilt and organized according to NATO standards, with US assistance. New aircraft, including jets, were introduced.

The first jet fighter interceptor design to be flown by the Hellenic Air Force was the F-84G Thunderjets soon to be replaced by Canadair Sabre 2, about 100 examples being supplied during 1954 and 1955 after upgrading in the United Kingdom following service with the Royal Canadian Air Force. Allongside T-33's were given to EMA's And some RT-33's for reconnaissance missions. The Republic F-84F first flew with the Hellenic Air Force in 1955. The Thunderstreak was developed to overcome the limitations of the Thunderjet's straight flying surfaces. The RF-84F was the reconnaissance version of the F-84 F Thunderstreak. This aircraft remained operational with the 348 Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of the Hellenic Air Force from 1956 to March 29th, 1991. In the late 1960s, the RHAF acquired new jet aircraft, that served well for almost 20 years. The main jets that entered the HAF fleet during this period were the F-104G Starfighter and later on, the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger (in service 1969–1975) and the F-5 Freedom Fighter. In the mid 1970s, Hellenic Air Force was further modernized with deliveries of the Dassault Mirage F1CG fleet, A-7H/TA-7H Corsair II and the first batch of F-4E Phantom II, upgraded versions of which still serve today. Also in 1993, USAF delivered to Hellenic Air Force 62 A-7E/TA-7C. With these type of aircraft, the air to ground capabilities of Hellenic Air Force were increased. Some of the A-7s are still in service with the Hellenic Air Force, until the deliveries of 4.5 generation fighters