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F-106 Delta Dart

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the primary all-weather interceptor aircraft for the U.S. Air Force from the 1960s through the 1980s. The F-106 was envisioned as specialized all-weather missile armed interceptor to shoot down bombers. Its design was evolved from the F-102 Delta Dagger, also built by Convair.

The first F-106A flew on December 26, 1956, and deliveries to the Air Force began in July of 1959. Production ended in late 1960.

Technical Specifications of the F-106 Delta Dart

Armament: One AIR-2A Genie air-to-air nuclear missile plus four AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles
Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 of 24,500 lbs. thrust with afterburner
Crew: One

Convair F-106 Delta Dart S/N 60465 at George Air Force Base
Convair F-106 Delta Dart S/N 60465 at George Air Force Base

Maximum speed: 1,525 mph
Cruising speed: 650 mph
Range: 1,500 statute miles
Ceiling: 53,000 ft. 
Span: 38 ft. 4 in.
Length: 70 ft. 9 in.
Height: 20 ft. 4 in.

Surviving F-106 Aircraft

A total of 340 Delta Darts were built. About 26 have survived, and are on display across the United States, including the ones shown below.

Original Photos of the F-106 Delta Dart

Convair F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-0003, Tucson, Arizona
Convair F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-0003
F-106 S/N 80-774, Buzz Number FE-774, restored and on display near Salt Lake City
F-106 S/N 80-774, Buzz Number FE-774
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-123, Museum of Aviation, Warner-Robins, Georgia
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-123
F-106A Delta Dart, S/N 59-0069, on display in Great Falls Air National Guard Base in Montana
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A on display in Great Falls, Montana
F-106A Delta Dart, S/N 59-0145, on display at Tyndall AFB, Florida
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A on display at Tyndall AFB, Florida
F-106A Delta Dart, Serial Number 0-72456, Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A Delta Dart, Castle Air Museum in Atwater, California
F-106B Delta Dart S/N 59-0158, Century Circle, Edwards Air Force Base, California
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106B Delta Dart S/N 59-0158, Century Circle, Edwards Air Force Base, California
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-0137, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 59-0137, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, McMinnville, Oregon
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 56-0454, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A Delta Dart S/N 56-0454, Holloman AFB, New Mexico
F-106A Delta Dart at the Aerospace Museum of California, Sacramento, CA
(photo by Michael Hoschouer)
F-106A Delta Dart at the Aerospace Museum of California, Sacramento, CA



USAF F-106 Delta Dart Photographs

U.S. Air Force F-106 Delta Dart S/N 72517
U.S. Air Force F-106 Delta Dart S/N 72517 ... Montana Air Guard
Convair F-106 Delta Darts parked on the apron
Convair F-106 Delta Darts parked on the apron
Convair F-106 Delta Dart S/N 90119, circa 1979
Convair F-106 Delta Dart S/N 90119, circa 1979
Air Force F-106 Delta Dart S/N 72504
Air Force F-106 Delta Dart S/N 72504

 

Historic Image of the F-106 Delta Dart from the Airplanes Online Collection

F-106 Delta Dart S/N 0-90002 in flight
F-106 Delta Dart S/N 0-90002 in flight