Convair F-102A Delta Dagger – 196th FIS CA ANG, USAF, Ontario Municipal Airport, CA, Early 1970s

Hobby Master 1/72 scale HA3115: Convair F-102A Delta Dagger #56-1363 of the 196th FIS 163rd FIG, CA ANG, USAF , Ontario Municipal Airport, CA, Early 1970s. Production run of only 400 models.

Length 11.25 inches Wingspan 6.25 inches

On 17 May 1958, the 196th was authorized to expand to a group level, and the 163d Fighter-Interceptor Group was established as its headquarters. The squadron traded its F-86 Sabres to the 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 F-102 was first flown on October 24, 1953. This aircraft was the USAF’s first delta-wing fighter, and was also the USAF’s first operational supersonic interceptor. Its primary mission was to intercept Soviet bombers, though it was also used as a bomber escort and ground attack aircraft during the Vietnam War. F-102s served with the USAF until the mid to late 1960s, when many of them were transferred to the US Air National Guard. By 1973, many F-102s were being used as target drones for testing the Patriot missile system, and the type was officially retired from service in 1976.