HOME      Convair F-106 Delta Dart
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NOTE: RADIO CONTROL AIRPLANES ARE ON THE BOTTOM HALF OF THE PAGE.
 
A Convair F-106 Delta Dart piloted by Maj. Joseph Rogers set the world speed record for a single engine aircraft of 1,525.95 mph. on Dec. 15, 1959.

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart was the last aircraft built as a pure interceptor for the United States Air Force. A total of 340 Convair F-106 Delta Dart aircraft were built. Convair F-106 Delta Dart aircraft served from 1959 through 1988.

The Convair F-106 Delta Dart began life as an improved F-102.  It is easy to see the resemblance between the two aircraft.

The aircraft had so many changes from the original design, including a more powerful engine, both larger fuselage and wings, that it was given a separate designation as the Convair F-106 Delta Dart.

Interestingly, the additional power of the new engine in th Convair F-106 Delta Dart did not yield an associated improvement in top speed at first. Flight engineers in the 1950's were still pondering the aerodynamics of supersonic flight. It was eventually discovered that where the wings joined the aircraft fuselage was responsible for a great deal of drag at supersonic speeds.

When the fuselage of the Convair F-106 Delta Dart was narrowed where it joined the wings, the aircraft lived up to its full performance potential. Eventually the Convair F-106 Delta Dart became the main interceptor aircraft of the Air Force.

A unique feature of the Convair F-106 Delta Dart was a radio link that enabled the aircraft to be guided from the ground to intercept enemy aircraft by computer. This was designated the Hughes MA-1. The system never achieved its promised potential and had limited usage.

Although many though the Convair F-106 Delta Dart superior in maneuverability to many aircraft, the Convair F-106 Delta Dart was not used in Vietnam and never saw combat.
 
Throughout the long service life of the Convair F-106 Delta Dart it was constantly being improved with updated avionics, targeting and weapons systems. Eventually Convair F-106 Delta Dart aircraft were fitted with a canopy that allowed greater all around visibility. Other Convair F-106 Delta Dart upgrades included the addition of mid-air refueling capabilities.
Today there are 21 Convair F-106 Delta Dart aircraft on static display throughout the United States.


Specifications

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$4,879,967
interceptor
one
1 x 24,500 lbs.
24,420 lbs.
35,000 lbs.
1,440 U.S. gals.
70' 9"
38' 4"
1 x 20 mm
six
6,000 lbs.
650 mph
1,525 mph
42,800 fpm
57,000 feet
1,800 miles
12/26/56
1959
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane by Don Savage.

Radio Control Airplanes:
 
 
Pictured above is the RC Convair F-106 Delta Dart airplane scratch built by Don Savage. Balsa and lite ply make up the construction materials for the Convair F-106 Delta Dart radio control airplane. Wing span of the Convair F-106 Delta Dart rc airplane is 28" and length is 49 1/2". Don uses a Kyosho AP-29L motor driving a Wemotec Minifan 480 to power his Convair F-106 Delta Dart radio control airplane.

In the first picture below is the great looking RC Convair F-106 Delta Dart airplane built by Darryl Usher from an Usher Tool kit. The 1/9 scale radio control airplane is 90" long with a wing span of 51". All up weight for the Convair F-106 Delta Dart RC Airplane is about 23.5 lbs. Usher Tool recommends powering their radio control airplane with any 15+ pound thrust turbine or a Viojett or Dynamax ducted fan.

For those looking for plans for a Convair F-106 Delta Dart RC Airplane, check out Parkjets.com. Their radio control Convair F-106 Delta Dart features foam construction and a pusher prop. Wing span of the rc airplane is 33" with a length of 43". The Parkjets radio control airplane is in the last picture below.

If you have have a favorite rc Convair F-106 Delta Dart airplane, please email us us about it. We would also appreciate hearing from you about any additional Convair F-106 Delta Dart radio control airplane plans, kits, or ARF's.
 
Radio Control Airplane
RC Airplane by Darryl Usher.
 
Radio Control Airplane

RC Airplane from Parkjets plans .