The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defenses in the late 1950s. Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept invading Soviet bomber fleets.

The F-102 was the first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter of the USAF. It used an internal weapons bay to carry both guided missiles and rockets. As originally designed, it could not achieve Mach 1 supersonic flight until redesigned with area ruling. The F-102 replaced subsonic types such as the F-89 Scorpion, and by the 1960s, it saw limited service in Vietnam in bomber escort and ground attack roles. It was supplemented by F-101 Voodoos and, later, by F-4 Phantom IIs. Many of the F-102s were transferred to United States Air National Guard duty by the mid-to-late 1960s, and the type was retired from operational service in 1976. The follow-on replacement was the Mach 2 class F-106 Delta Dart which was an extensive redesign of the F-102.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale rendition of a USAF Convair F-102A Delta Dagger interceptor that was attached to the 32nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, then deployed to Soesterberg Air Base, Netherlands, during 1963. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Wingspan: 6-1/4-inches
Length: 11-1/4-inches

Release Date: October 2011

Historical Account: "Royal" - In 1954, the Dutch government agreed, at the instigation of NATO, to accept the offer of the American government to deploy a squadron of American military planes in the Netherlands. The task of the squadron would be to provide a contribution to Dutch air defense, within the context of NATO. The 512th Fighter Day Squadron (FDS), stationed at Manston Airfield in Great Britain, was detailed by the Headquarters of the USAFE for transference to the Netherlands. Its new home base would be Soesterberg AB. The first group of American airmen, compromised quartermasters and air traffic controllers, arrived at Soesterberg on October 6th, 1954.

In September 1955, the designation of the 512th was transferred to RAF Station Bentwaters in England. Its aircraft, personnel and equipment however stayed in the Netherlands and made up the newly activated 32d Fighter Day Squadron. The 32d was assigned to the 36th Fighter Wing at Bitburg Air Base in Germany. On July 18th, 1958, the USAFE redesignated the unit as the 32d Tactical Fighter Squadron, as part of the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing.

In 1959, the 32d received the signature "Royal", the crown and wreath of the Dutch Royal Family (the House of Orange) were added to the emblem, giving it its unique look. This unique honor was granted in recognition of the unit's contribution to the defense of The Netherlands and graphically illustrates the 32d close ties with the Royal Netherlands Air Force.