An information sign below the aircraft states:
New Jersey Air National Guard
177th Fighter Wing
Home of The Jersey Devils
and Convair F106 Dleta Dart
1973 - 1988
The Deltat Dart has a most remarkable history. Designed in 1956, its only mission was to intercept and destroy enemy air breathing vehicles in all weather at altitudes up to 70,000 feet with a 460 mile radius at speeds of mach 2.
Entering service in 1959 with Air Defense Command and retiring in 1988 from Aerospace Defense Command the F106 served 29 years as America's primary intercepter, a period unmatched by any other fighter.
The operational life of the F106 is highlighted by several events. On December 15, 1959 an F106 set the world speed record of 1,525.695 MPH for a single engine aircraft. In December 1984 an F106 from the 177th FW set a new supersonic record from Wright-Paterson AFB, OH to Kitty Hawk, NC with an average speed of 743.3 in a time of 45 minutes.
The F106 was such a formidable stregth that it was only based in the Continental United States. It is the only USAF Century Series Fighter never to fly another nations colors, and the mere threat of its presence caused it to never fire a shot in anger.
Length: 70.7 Ft
Width: 38.1 Ft
Height: 20.3 Ft
Armament:
2 AIM 4G missiles
2 AIM 4F missiles
1 A/R 2A Rocket
Powerplant:
Pratt and Whitney J75 P-17 Turbo Jet with thrust of 25,000 lbs.
July 1958 - 65th F-106 produced by Convair at San Diego CA and was the lead production aircraft for the 1st F-106B Integrated Instrument Display (IID) for the vertical tape instrument set.
09 Oct 59 - Delivered to the USAF
30 Jun 60 - To Sacramento Air Material Area, McClellan AFB CA
27 Sep 61 - To 71st FIS, 1st FW, Selfridge AFB MI
15 Jan 67 - To 71st FIS, 328 FW, Richards-Gebaur AFB MO
24 Mar 67 - Minor Accident - Hole in fuselage
06 May 67 - In commission
27 May 68 - To 71st FIS Malmstrom AFB MT
28 Dec 68 - To ADWC Tyndall AFB FL (TDY)
14 Oct 69 - To 94th FIS, 1st FW, Selfridge AFB MI
01 Dec 69 - To 94th FIS Wurtsmith AFB MI
08 Jun 71 - To ADWC Tyndall AFB FL (TDY)
18 Aug 71 - To 2nd FIS Wurtsmith AFB MI
31 Dec 72 - To ADWC Tyndall AFB FL
06 Mar 73 - To 171st FIS/191st FIG, Selfridge AFB MI (ANG)
29 May 74 - To 159th FIS/125th FIG Jacksonville MAP FL (ANG)
27 Jun 74 - To 194th FIS/144th FIG Fresno IAP CA (ANG)
21 Jan 75 - To 159th FIS/125th FIG Jacksonville MAP FL (ANG)
07 Feb 75 - To 194th FIS/144th FIG Fresno IAP CA (ANG)
29 Dec 83 - To 119th FIS/177th FIG Atlantic City NJ (ANG)
19 Jun 84 - Dropped from inventory by transfer to museum status (Cracked bulkhead)
Jul/Aug 84 - To National Guard Bureau HQ for display at Andrews AFB MD
04 Dec 92 - To (airlifted) Atlantic City IAP NJ for display
Information taken from www.convairf-106deltadart.com.