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Spiros Pendedekas
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F-102A Walkaround

January 8, 2021 · in Photo Collections · · 21 · 3.4K

Hi everyone!

Descended from the plans of Dr. Alexander Lippisch, the Convair Delta Dagger was an American interceptor aircraft that was 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 strategic bomber fleets (primarily the Tupolev Tu-95) during the Cold War. Designed and manufactured by Convair, 1,000 F-102s were built.

Of the USAF forces in Europe, twenty surplus F 102A and 4 TF-102As equipped for seven years (1970-1977) the 342nd Squadron of the . All planes were delivered in overall ADC. From 1974 onwards the aircraft were painted "Vietnam" .

The TF-102A performed lower than the F-102A, being subsonic, mainly due to the special design of the trainer and trainee seats side by side rather than in a row. All F/TF-102A were phased out in January 1977 to be replaced by the Mirage F.1CG.

This beauty resides in the Hellenic Aerospace Industry. Unlike some of its brothers that have been restored to static condition, she is left unattended since 1977. This is sad, from a point of view, but, from another point, it is an interesting modeling subject, since everything on her is in its original state, with the inevitable wear after all these years spent outside. The J-57 engine is removed, but I think I have spotted it somewhere...

Since i had access to her, I thought it would be a good idea to take some "walkaround" style pics, in order to keep some photo record of this gorgeous plane, its future not looking so bright...

Enjoy the pics!

Happy Modeling!

Reader reactions:
6  Awesome

21 responses

  1. Great photos, Spiros! That would be quite the challenge to duplicate the weathering. I'm sure some of our talented iModelers could tackle it. Not me.
    One thing I noticed...it looks like a dry day but the cockpit windows look wet...condensation on the inside?

  2. Great pix, Spiros...thanks for the walkaround. It is sad that this F-102 is in such a sorry state, but, who knows, maybe it will get some much-needed TLC in the future? Also, -1056 appears to have the original Case X wings, making it a true survivor.

    The history of F-102 56-1056 is: USAF: 5th FIS; 87th FIS; 4780th ADW; 325th FIS; followed by a stint with the Texas ANG. The aircraft was then transferred to Greece in October 1969, as part of a group of 20 F-102A's ( four TF-102A'S were also sent). All Deuces sent to Greece were assigned to the 114 Pterighe (wing) of the Greek Air Force. This info is included in "Convair F-102 Delta Dagger", by Wayne Mutza (ISBN: 0-7643-1062-3).

    • Most of HAF Deuces are rotting away...
      One is in quite good external condition (static, of course), and is kept in 114CW, its painting frequently refreshed. Two TFs (one ADC Gray and one "Vietnam") are well restored and kept in the HAF Museum in Dekelia AFB.
      Thanks for the info on the 56-1056! A true survivor indeed, Marvin @marvin!

  3. Those guys who like to make "distressed" models should get a lot of inspiration here.

    • Only the brave, Tom @tcinla!
      And how about this ex-Luft RF-4E, with its HAF "delivered" camo (basically a refreshed German Lizzard over the "old" one, with Greek insignia and English stencilling applied), faded away to the point that the Luftwaffe insignia have reappeared, after MANY years grounded and exposed to the sun?


      Now, who's brave enough?

  4. Thanks for sharings these pictures of this exceptional plane, Spiros @fiveten.
    A pity to see this bird worn-out.
    So great to be able to get so close to those historic planes.

  5. Great photos! That would make for a cool weathering exercise!

  6. Beauty, as always, is in the eyes of the beholder, I guess, but thanks, Spiros, for taking the time out to photograph this one and for posting them here on iModeller.

  7. Spiros, @fiveten
    Thank you for taking the time to post these photos for us. It looks like this plane still has the "Case X" style wing. To begin with, you don't see many of these F-102's around anymore, much less one with this wing. Most ended their lives as flying targets, just like what's happening now with our F-4 Phantoms... sad really when you think about it. Soon there will not be any of the Phantom's left either. We never learn do we ?

    This is an amazing set of pictures because they show how paint reacts over time and exposure to the elements. It would be very nice if they would give this old girl some TLC that she so desperately needs. I'm surprised the canopy hasn't crazed more than it did. I have seen some aircraft where the canopy looks almost white because of all the tiny cracks in the plexi glass.

    One of my favorite pictures that shows one of these Delta wing planes in the "prime" of it's life, was when a special set of astronauts were standing next to one nearby at Patrick Air Force Base, which is now part of Cape Kennedy Space Station. Some places claim this picture was taken at Langley... could be true, I'm not 100 percent sure about that.


    This group of 7 men were part of the Project Mercury program. You will see "Gus" Grissom, and John Glenn in this picture, along with some other well known early astronauts. This is how the space capsule "Friendship 7" got it's name.

    Years ago I worked at the Cape, on launch pad 40, and have been at the nearby launch site where Grissom and the other 2 men perished inside their capsule when a fire broke out... What a tragedy, as the entry hatch door was bolted in and they had no means of escape.

    Back in the late 1960's / early 1970's era, we had an older F-101 "Voodoo" parked on the edge of the taxi ramp at Daytona International Airport. It was painted in the SEA camouflage scheme just like your F-102 was wearing last. Then one day it was gone... I don't know what happened to it, it just disappeared.

    I have a Monogram 1/48 scale F-102 and also a 1/48 F-106 in the stash. My goal is to someday build up one of them, painted like this one in the picture I just posted. These additional pictures you posted solve one more piece of the puzzle, as chances are I will build both kits at the same time.

    Thank you...

  8. What a wonderful pic and accompanying story, Louis @lgardner! Just amazong to see all these great men together. Really sad what happened at that capsule...

    There are a lot of abandoned jewels around here...

    Like this F-102, they do the best they can to stand still, but they are alone in this unequal fight.

    At the moment, I am inclined to take pics of as many of those abandoned planes as I can discover. Who knows? Miracles happen, and a few of them might have better days...

    I have a quarterscale Monogram Delta Dagger, intending to build it as a HAF bird.

    Whenever you decide to pull the trigger on yours (and the Dart), I will be happy to accompany you.

    Thanks very much for all kind comments and exciting mini story, my friend!

    • This sounds like a good idea. Count me in. I have to finish the He-219, and the pair of Ki-45’s along with a few other ones that are started. Did I ever tell you that I have everything that I need for the 1/48 Monogram B-1 now ? The last part was a good set of decals. I ordered some and a set of Eduard over trees for a 1/48 scale P-51D-5 too. I told Pedro that I would join him in building a a few Mustang kits as soon as I get the 1/48 Dragon Ju-188 completed.

      These decals and the over trees Mustang are supposed to be arriving today or Monday.

      I have to get busy with the Mosquito that I promised Erik too. I think that it would be a little while before we can add these 102 builds to our list, but it’s definitely on the horizon.

      Thanks for letting me know that you were interested in another mutual build.

  9. Great pictures Spiros, I m sue some here will take them as a basis for the next weathering job on a model! Regards from Belgium!

  10. hi Spiros, @fiveten

    Great photos! this would be a challenge! I may would dare to accept but I don't have a kit to that. Maybe some day 😉

    stay safe my friend
    M

  11. Thank you for this amazing walkaround. I have been building the F-102 (Meng 1/72) and your pictures will be very usefull.

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