Hobby Master 1/72 HA3603 F-106A Delta Dart City of Jacksonville, Florida ANG, 1976
The Convair F-106 Delta Dart began as an advanced version of the F-102 but because of so many modifications and design changes it became a new aircraft with its own designation. It was designed as a missile carrying all-weather interceptor against Soviet bombers and served in this role from the 1960s until the 1980s. The F-106A as well as the F-106B two- seat trainer served with 15 fighter interceptor squadrons starting in 1959. The aircraft was rarely referred to as the Delta Dart but was commonly called the 6.
In 1975 the 125th FG Florida ANG (FLANG) converted from the F-102 to the F-106 Delta Dart. One of the new aircraft had tail number 8076 so when the U.S. 1976 Bicentennial approached the unit decided to give 8076 a special red, white and blue tribute paint scheme along with the City of Jacksonville painted on the fuselage. This paint scheme received a lot of national and international attention in aviation magazines. The aircraft wore this scheme for the entire year and took part in every bicentennial celebration in Jacksonville.