The Convair F-102 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 (Tupolev Tu-95) during the Cold War. Designed and manufactured by Convair, 1,000 F-102s were built.
A member of the Century Series, the F-102 was the USAF’s first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter. 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 fighter types such as the Northrop F-89 Scorpion, and by the 1960s, it saw limited service in the Vietnam War in bomber escort and ground-attack roles. It was supplemented by McDonnell F-101 Voodoos and, later, by McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIs.
Many of the F-102s were transferred from the active duty Air Force to the Air National Guard by the mid-to-late 1960s, and with the exception of those examples converted to unmanned QF-102 Full Scale Aerial Target (FSAT) drones, the type was totally retired from operational service in 1976. The follow-on replacement was the Mach-2 Convair F-106 Delta Dart, which was an extensive redesign of the F-102.
- Highly detailed plastic pieces molded in light gray and clear
- Case X-wing design
- Seated pilot figure
- External wing tanks and internal weapons, 3 AIM-4A/E Falcons and
- 3 AIM-4C/D Falcons
- Waterslide decals
- Illustrated instructions
- Scale: 1/48
- Revell Kit 85-5869
- Length: 17-1/8″ (434.97mm)
- Wingspan: 9-9/16″ (242.88mm)
- Height: 5-1/4″ (133.35mm)
- Skill level: 4
- Parts: 97
- Street Price: $27.99 USD (approx)
After several years of absence and some evil-bay sellers selling it at ridiculous prices, it is back. Revell relaunches an oldie but goodie classic from the old Monogram Century Series. The F-102A Delta Dagger is the same model sold with correction sets and resin parts under the Encore from Squadron label. The plastic kit is still printing very well with no flash and surprisingly no thick mold lines for its age. The main fuselage goes together very nice on our dry fit test as well as the delta wing. Wing to fuselage fit is very good and I anticipate very little fill-up and sanding around these two major parts. The bomb bay has some modest detail and comes with 3 AIM/4C Falcons.
Decals seem like the traditional Revell decal sheet but this one is printed notably in great solid colors. Now is your chance to get this high flying aircraft model at a down to earth price.
I am considering buying / building one of these from hobby Lobby. It’s always been one of my favorite century line Jets. Looking forward to getting one and hopefully having a good time building / painting it. I also just acquired an Iwata airbrush. Haven’t had a chance to try it yet. Later in the week should be when I get to.
Just opened the box & inspected. First impression is generally very positive. Parts seem a little thick but detail is acceptable, and after paint/decals/assembly, (again first impression), should make a pretty eye-catching model. Plus, I got it from Hobby Lobby w/a 40%-off coupon!!
Jay, thank you so much with your experience with the kit. This line of Revell kits available at Hobby Lobby or Michaels are very good kits for their price. It makes the hobby quite inexpensive for beginners while making good models for the more experienced demanding model builder. I too make use of that nice 40% coupon from either store. I have the apps from both stores and they scan my purchases straight from the phone. At least once a month Michaels throws a 60% coupon valid for only one day. I get kits with that coupon from Michaels. My wife got me an Iwata Neo airbrush with the 60% off coupon. Again, thanks for your comments and sorry for my long reply 😉