TF-102A “Delta Dagger”

The F-102 grew out of Convair's XF-92 delta wing research aircraft of the late 1940s, and the prototype first flew at Edwards AFB in October 1953 before becoming operational with Air Defense Command in 1956. At the height of its deployment in the late 1950s, more than 25 ADC squadrons used F-102s. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, including 889 F-102As, and the USAF also bought 111 TF-102As as combat trainers with side-by-side seating. The TF-102A made its first flight at Edwards on 8 November 1955 and was considerably slower than the F-102A, reaching only subsonic speeds in level flight, which led pilots to nickname it the "Tub." This particular TF-102A, the third trainer version built, served at Edwards in a variety of flight test roles throughout its career, including testing high altitude full pressure suits in the late 1950s, and it was the first TF-102 retrofitted with an enlarged vertical tail to improve control and stability. The aircraft was restored by the 412th Test Wing Surfaces Team in 2006.

California · United States