The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets.

The F-102 was the first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter of the USAF. It used an internal weapons bay to carry both guided missiles and rockets. As originally designed, it could not achieve Mach 1 supersonic flight until redesigned with area ruling. The F-102 replaced subsonic types such as the F-89 Scorpion, and by the 1960s, it saw limited service in Vietnam in bomber escort and ground attack roles. It was supplemented by F-101 Voodoos and, later, by F-4 Phantom IIs. Many of the F-102s were transferred to United States Air National Guard duty by the mid-to-late 1960s, and the type was retired from operational service in 1976. The follow-on replacement was the Mach 2 class F-106 Delta Dart which was an extensive redesign of the F-102.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale rendition of a Convair F-102A Delta Dagger interceptor that was attached to the 196th Fighter Interceptor Squadron "Grizzlies", 163rd Fighter Interceptor Group, then deployed to Van Nuys, California, during the 1970s. Now in stock!

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

Release Date: August 2022

Historical Account: "Grizzlies" - The 196th moved from Norton AFB to Ontario Municipal Airport, California, on January 1st, 1954. In February 1954, it was equipped with North American F-86A Sabre. By July 1955, the transition from the F-51H Mustang to the F-86A Sabre was complete. The squadron was re-designated a fighter interceptor unit with an air defense mission for the Los Angeles area and its mobilization command became Air Defense Command (ADC). With the F-86A, the squadrons began standing dusk-to-dawn alerts, joining its ADC active-duty counterparts. The squadron received newer F-86F Sabres in 1957.

On May 17th, 1958, the 196th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 163d Fighter-Interceptor Group was established as its headquarters. The 196th FIS was the group's flying squadron, while the 163d Material Squadron, 163d Air Base Squadron, and the 163d USAF Dispensary were activated to support the 196th. California Air National Guard 196th FIS Convair F-102A Delta Dagger in 1970. This aircraft is now on static display at Clovis Park, California.

ADC upgraded the squadron to F-86H Sabre day interceptors in 1959 and Convair F-102 Delta Daggers in 1965. The F-102 was being phased out of active-duty units in the early 1960s and the 196th was one of the last ANG units to replace their F-86 Sabres. The F-102 aircraft, however, was obsolescent as an interceptor by the time it was received by the 196th. The Delta Daggers soldiered on until the early 1970s when they were retired to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center at Davis-Monthan AFB.

The unit received two Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for extended periods ending in 1964 and 1974.