Convair F-102 Delta Dagger
Convair · United States · first flew 1953 · fighter
America's first operational delta-wing interceptor, a tailless single-engine fighter built around its radar and missile fire-control system.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Mid-mounted, delta |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × turbojet, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | Area-ruled 'Coke-bottle' fuselage waist |
| T — Tail | No tailplane |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Pure triangular delta wing with no tailplane
- Area-ruled 'Coke-bottle' fuselage waist
- Single swept fin and a single buried engine
Spot the broad tailless delta wing, the waisted area-ruled fuselage, and the single tall fin with no horizontal tail surfaces.
Specifications
- The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger has a length of 20.8 m (68 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 11.6 m (38 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 1330 km/h (826 mph).
- Typical crew: 1.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
First flown in 1953, the F-102 nearly failed until designers applied the area rule, pinching the fuselage into a waisted shape that let it go supersonic. It entered service as a dedicated interceptor armed with guided missiles carried in an internal bay.
Variants
The main service model was the F-102A, supported by the two-seat TF-102A trainer with side-by-side seating; the design evolved into the more capable F-106 Delta Dart.
Where you'll see it
A USAF Air Defense Command interceptor that also served in Europe and the Pacific but never with the RAF, so it was not a British-based type; UK enthusiasts encounter it mainly as a museum exhibit.
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