#f 106a

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart

Defended the US and Canada's airspace from the late 50s up to the 1980s, when the Eagle took over. Never once had to fire a shot in anger, because if it did, the world would be a VERY different place...

One for the car enthusiasts today... a rather cool 1950 Nash Rambler car named 'El Jefe' (the boss) being used to review 456th FIS USAF at Castle AFB during 1963.

As a kid I had die-cast model of one of these cars, but don't ever recall seeing one 'in the flesh', so to speak!

The F-106 Delta Dart will always be the coolest delta-wing airplane ever to exist.

The US once tried developing a missile specifically to hunt Mach 3 MiG-25 Foxbats: the (X)AIM-97 Seekbat.

With dual radar and IR seekers, it would hit targets 90 km away up to 24km altitude, but it weighed a massive 600 kg (1.33x an AIM-54 Phoenix).

Dart Face! Did you know the Convair F-106 was USAF's last purpose-built interceptor? One of its fastest jets ever, it still holds the world record for a single-engine aircraft at Mach 2.43. A record set way back in 1959!

48th FIS F-106 Delta Darts near Charleston April 1980.

credit Frank Garzelnick

F-106A Delta Dart 🎯 Refueling from KC-135A Tanker.

Fine shot of Convair F-106A Delta Dart s/n 59-0005.

It participate in the NATO exercise Autumn Forge/Cold Fire '75