You are at netAirspace : Forum : Air and Space Forums : Military Aviation

General characteristics

* Crew: 1
* Length: 70.7 ft (21.55 m)
* Wingspan: 38.25 ft (11.67 m)
* Height: 20.28 ft (6.18 m)
* Wing area: 661.5ft²/61.52m² (Original Wing) or 695 ft²/64.57m² (Conically-Cambered Wing) ()
* Airfoil: NACA 0004-65 mod root and tip
* Empty weight: 24,420 lb (11,077 kg)
* Loaded weight: 34,510 lb (15,670 kg)
* Powerplant: 1× Pratt & Whitney J75-17 afterburning turbojet, 24,500 lbf (109 kN)
* * Zero-lift drag coefficient: 0.0083
* Drag area: 5.8 ft² (0.54 m²)
* Aspect ratio: 2.10

Performance

* Maximum speed: Mach 2.3 (1,525 mph, 2,455 km/h)
* Range: 1,800 mi (1,600 nm, 2,900 km) combat
* Ferry range: 2,700 mi (2,300 nm, 4,300 km)
* Service ceiling: 57,000 ft (17,000 m)
* Rate of climb: 29,000 ft/min (150 m/s)
* Wing loading: 52 lb/ft² (255 kg/m²)
* Thrust/weight: 0.71
* Lift-to-drag ratio: 12.1
* Time to altitude: 6.9 min to 52,700 ft (16,065 m)

Armament

* Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan gatling gun
* Missiles:
o 2× AIM-4F Falcon
o 2× AIM-4G Falcon
o 1× AIR-2A Genie nuclear rocket


The F-106 all-weather interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Originally designated the F-102, 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 U.S. 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.

The aircraft on display was involved in an unusual incident. During a training mission from Malmstrom Air Force Base on Feb. 2, 1970, it suddenly entered an uncontrollable flat spin forcing the pilot to eject. Unpiloted, the aircraft recovered on its own, apparently due to the balance and configuration changes caused by the ejection, and miraculously made a gentle belly landing in a snow-covered field near Big Sandy, Mont. After minor repairs, the aircraft was returned to service. It last served with the 49th Fighter Interceptor Squadron before being brought to the museum in August 1986.

I remember watching them from ACY in the early 80's. Loud sonofaguns...