For all: Photos taken in the remarkable National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton on Monday, June 8, 2009. This collage depicts the Convair F-102A Delta Dagger. It was designed to intercept and destroy enemy bombers. The Delta Dagger became the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the US Air Force's first operational delta wing aircraft. It entered service with the Air Defense Command (ADC) in 1956. ...... For aviation enthusiasts: At its peak in the late 1950s, the F-102 equipped more than twenty five ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,101 F-102s, of which 975 were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102 combat trainers with side-by-side seating. During a combat mission, electronic equipment on board the F-102 located enemy aircraft, and the onboard radar guided the F-102 into attack position. At the proper moment, the electronic fire control system automatically fired the interceptor's air-to-air rockets and missiles. The F-102A on display served with the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron in Iceland, where it became one of the first USAF aircraft to intercept and escort a Soviet "Bear" bomber over the Arctic. The F-102A was flown to the museum in 1971. Technical Notes: Armament: Twenty-four 2.75-inch unguided rockets and six guided missiles Engine: One Pratt & Whitney J57 of 16,000 lbs thrust Maximum speed: 810 mph Range: 1,000 miles Service ceiling: 55,000 ft Thanks for stopping by, and all of your highly motivating comments and favorites. Bill:) Please ZOOM...have left the file large.