American postwar aircraft

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Convair F-106 Delta Dart

F-106A
The F-106 all-weather interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 "Delta Dagger." Originally designated the F-102B, it was redesignated F-106 because it had extensive structural changes and a more powerful engine. The first F-106A flew on Dec. 26, 1956, and deliveries to the Air Force began in July 1959. Production ended in late 1960 after 277 F-106As and 63 F-106Bs had been built.
The F-106 uses a Hughes MA-1 electronic guidance and fire control system. After takeoff, the MA-1 can be given control of the aircraft to fly it to the proper altitude and attack position. Then it can fire the Genie and Falcon missiles, break off the attack run, and return the aircraft to the vicinity of its base. The pilot takes control again for the landing.
F-106B
The principal mission of the F-106B is to function as a pilot proficiency trainer while maintaining full tactical capabilities for the interception and destruction of hostile aircraft and missiles. The F-106B has all-weather and day or night characteristics.
The airplane incorporates a delta wing with a cambered leading edge extending from wing root to wing tip and swept tail surface. Control surfaces are power operated.

The system pressurized, air bled from engine compressor section and is used pressurize the fuel tanks to reduce evaporation.

The airplane has the capability for air refueling from flying boom equipped tankers.

The armament is located in a bay in the bottom of the fuselage. The AIM-4 missiles are extended below this section for firing and the AIR-2A rocket is ejected from the bay by an explosive charge. Firing of the armament is either manual or automatic. The components of the AN/ASQ-25 (MA-1 equivalent) Aircraft and Weapons Control System provides automatic radar searching and tracking, directs the airplane on a lead-collision attack and automatically fires the armament.
External fuel tanks can be added to increase range. The tanks can be refueled in flight and need not be jettisoned for combat since they do not restrict airplane speed or load factor when empty.

General characteristics F-106A
Primary function	interceptor
Power plant	One Pratt & Whitney J75-P-17 turbojet with afterburner
Thrust	25,180 lb				112 kN
Wingspan	38.3 ft				11,68 m
Length	70.8 ft				21,57 m
Height	20.3 ft				6,18 m
Speed	max.		1,524 mph		2453 km/h
	landing		173 mph		278 km/hod
Initial climb rate	714 ft/s				13 054 m/min
Ceiling	56,760 ft				17 300 m
Range	normal		575 miles		925 km
	max.		1,808 miles		2 910 km
Weight	empty	23,590 lb			10 700 kg
	max.takeoff	41,822 lb			18 970 kg
Armament	One AIR-2A Genie air-to-air nuclear missile and four AIM-4 Falcon air-to-air missiles. Later was Genie missile replaced 20mm cannon M61A1.
Number built	F-106A			277
	F-106B			63

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Jirka Wagner