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Delta Dagger
For an aircraft that was only to be an “interim” interceptor, the Deuce served a long and successful life and helped to deter the Soviets or any other enemy from sending bombers against the United States.
The biggest drawback to the F-102 was its lack of speed. It was a supersonic aircraft, but only by a small margin. With external tanks attached, it was limited to Mach .95. Once the faster F-101Bs and F-106s became available, its days were numbered. Since it was a great advantage to get to the bombers as fast as possible, or catch them, if necessary, speed was essential, and the relatively slow Deuce had to make way for the faster interceptors.
It was built in larger numbers than the F-101B or F-106 because of delays in getting the “ultimate” F-106 into service, the minimal conventional armament carried by the F-101B and the lack of funds to replace the F-102 on a one-for-one basis with the F-106. In the years the F-102s served in Vietnam, they most often stood alert for the air defense mission but also flew some escort missions for B-52s.
F-102 pilot alone in a KC-135 cockpit
Former F-102 pilot Roger Daisley recalls on Quora;
‘During the Vietnam era, I was stationed in Okinawa, as a pilot, flying the F-102. I had just finished an R&R to the states and was returning to Okinawa. To get back, I caught a “hop” in a KC-135 (Jet tanker) from Travis Air Force Base, California, to Okinawa. Normally, the passengers sit in the back of the aircraft, where many times it is also packed with cargo, such as spare engines, etc. In this flight, there were about five to ten passengers, as I recall.
‘About half way through the flight, I decided to walk up to the cockpit and chat with the pilots. I was wearing my fighter pilot flight suit. (In the KC-135, the entrance to the cockpit is not blocked or locked. It is not unusual for a passenger to walk up front and talk to the crew members).’
Daisley continues;
‘We chatted about “pilot things,” such as: Where are we now, what are you using for navigation aid, (before GPS) how is the fuel going and what is our ETA … those kind of things. After about fifteen minutes, the Copilot, sitting in the right seat, asked if I would like to sit in his seat for awhile, while he took a break. The AC (Aircraft Commander), who sits in the left seat, agreed, so I slid into the right seat, as the copilot departed.
10 minutes of KC-135 flying time
‘After about ten minutes, and more “pilot talk,” the AC said he was going to go back and get a cup of coffee. He got up and left the cockpit. So … there I was, the only pilot in the cockpit and I have never piloted a KC-135 before! I sat there and contemplated and marveled at the situation (the aircraft was on autopilot).
‘After about ten minutes, the AC returned and we started chatting again. He asked, “How long have you been flying the KC-135?” I replied, “About ten minutes … I’m an F-102 pilot.” No comment! End of chatting.’
Daisley concludes; ‘I logged 10 minutes of KC-135 flying time in my Air Force flight log!’
Photo credit: U.S. Air Force
