CONVAIR QF-106 Delta Dart (57-2513)

Great photo! They were great planes when we needed them. Thanks for the photo.

I saw that and said Whaaaat? one is still flying? Alas 1988 :-(

Interesting aircraft silhouettes on the tail... SR-71 and F-111?

Andrew... those silhouettes are more likely representing this Convair F-106B Delta Dart (serving as a chase aircraft), with the larger silhouette being a Rockwell B-1B Lancer.

According to Joe Baugher's published information, this Convair F-106B Delta Dart, USAF s/n 57-2513, was Convair's msn 8-27-07. Mr. Baugher further relates, "to AMARC as FN198 Jun 25, 1990. To Tyndall AFB. Returned to AMARC Dec 2, 1993 (FN0202). Placed in display location. To Yanks Air Museum, Chino, California Oct 9, 2003".

NASA chase - https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/3b/d7/d0/3bd7d06ab316d7ecb1bd14002e76f088.jpg

Yes the silhouettes represent a B-1 and the F-106 chase which Rockwell used flying out of Palmdale. And this aircraft can indeed be found at Chino in the Yanks collection.

Another great shot from the archives Dan, very nice!

was the F106 nicknamed the "Thud"?

I believe it was the Republic F-105 Thunderchief that was often referred to as the "Thud."

I was stationed at George AFB from 1960 to 1962 as an Aircraft and Missile Electrician in the 329th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. We had around 25 F-106's, mostly "A" models, a few "B" models. That tail number looks familiar, we might have had that very plane when I was there.