Edwards AFB in Kern County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

TF-102A “Delta Dagger”

Convair

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

1. TF-102A “Delta Dagger” Marker

Inscription. The F-102 was developed from the Convair XF-92 delta wing research aircraft of the late 1940s and the prototype made its initial flight in October 1953 at Edwards AFB. It became operational with the Air Defense Command in 1956. At the peak of deployment in the late 1950s, F-102s equipped more than 25 ADC squadrons. Convair built 1,000 F-102s, 889 of which were F-102As. The USAF also bought 111 TF-102As as combat trainers with side-by-side seating. The TF-102A completed its maiden flight at Edwards on 8 November 1955. The TF-102A was considerably slower than the F-102A, only reaching subsonic speeds in level flight. Pilots that flew the aircraft nicknamed it the “Tub.”

This TF-102A is the third trainer version built and served at Edwards in various flight test roles throughout its career. It was used to test high altitude full pressure suits in the late 1950s and was the first TF-102 retrofitted with an enlarged vertical tail to improve control and stability. The aircraft was restored by the 412th Test Wing Surfaces Team in 2006.

On Loan from the National Museum of the USAF

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Museum.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Military.

Location. 34° 52.255′ N, 117° 59.45′ W. Marker is in Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Rosamond Boulevard 10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located in Century Circle, just outside the West Gate at Edwards AFB, CA. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Edwards CA 93524, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Joaquin Valley,

specifically in the Central Valley,

in the Mojave Desert,

and in the Sierra Nevada.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: F-104A “Starfighter” (a few steps from this marker); F-101B “Voodoo”

TF-102A “Delta Dagger” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

2. TF-102A “Delta Dagger” and Marker

(within shouting distance of this marker); YF-100A “Super Sabre” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-105D “Thunderchief” (within shouting distance of this marker); YC-15 (within shouting distance of this marker); F-106B “Delta Dart” (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (approx. 4.8 miles away); NF-4C "Phantom II" (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Also see . . . Museum Website. Includes all museum locations, aircraft inventory, and plans for the future museum. (Submitted on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

Additional keywords. Air Force Flight Test Museum, Flight Test Historical Foundation

TF-102A “Delta Dagger” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

3. TF-102A “Delta Dagger”

Century Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

4. Century Circle

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 23, 2018

5. TF-102A “Delta Dagger”

Groundbreaking ceremony for a new museum, which will be open to the public here, outside West Gate.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 769 times since then and 40 times this year. Last updated on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 5. submitted on March 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.