F-102 Delta Dagger Units

The first of the Convair delta wing fighters, the F-102 Delta Dagger served as an interceptor for the USAF between 1956 and 1976. The F-102 was at the bleeding edge at the time of it's development in the early 1950s. The F-102 was intended to be a supersonic interceptor, equipped with radar and a fire control system and shoot down Soviet bombers with the first air-to-air missiles.

Unfortunately, the prototype was underwhelming. It could not achieve supersonic flight but a redesign of the fuselage and wing did bring about the desired performance and eventually 1,000 were built. The F-102 was ultimately eclipsed by Convair's follow-on the F-106 Delta Dart but the F-102 had a solid career. As well as guarding against Soviet bombers it also saw some action in the Vietnam War, often it roles for which it was not designed.

A good book about an aircraft type which is sometimes overlooked these days. This has the usual mixture of informative text, illustrations and photographs of an Osprey publication.