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

F-106B “Delta Dart”

Convair

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

1. F-106B “Delta Dart” Marker

Inscription. The F-106 Delta Dart had a long and illustrious career at Edwards AFB. The prototype A-model made its first flight here on 26 Dec 56. On 15 Dec 59, Col Joe Rogers piloted as F-106 A to a world speed record of 1,525.695 mph (Mach 2.41) here. In Apr 58, the first two-seat F-106B completed its maiden flight here and later served as an ejection seat test vehicle at the AFFTC’s 6511th Test Group at El Centro NAS, CA. During the 1960s, F-106s were stationed at Edwards as a detachment of the 329th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at George AFB. This aircraft is displayed in 329th markings because it was assigned to that unit for a short time in the early 1960s. The AFFTC Museum acquired the aircraft in 2003 after it had been in storage at Davis-Monthan AFB for many years. It was previously flown in the drone program at Tyndall AFB, FL. Restoration was faithfully completed by the men and women of the 412th Equipment Maintenance Squadron with paint applied by the squadron’s Corrosion Control Shop.

On Loan from the National Museum of the USAF

Erected by Air Force Flight Test Museum.

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

Location. 34° 52.277′ N, 117° 59.438′ W. Marker is near Edwards AFB, California, in Kern County. It is on Rosamond Boulevard

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10 miles east of California Route 14, on the right when traveling east. Located in Century Circle, outside the West Gate of Edwards AFB. 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-105D “Thunderchief” (a few steps from this marker); F-104A “Starfighter” (within shouting distance of this marker); TF-102A “Delta Dagger” (within shouting distance of this marker); YF-100A “Super Sabre” (within shouting distance of this marker); F-101B “Voodoo” (within shouting distance of this marker); YC-15 (within shouting distance of this marker); YA-10B (approx. 4.8 miles away); NF-4C "Phantom II" (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Edwards AFB.

Also see . . . Museum Website. Includes Century Circle

F-106B “Delta Dart” and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

2. F-106B “Delta Dart” and Marker

and other locations, an aircraft inventory, and plans for the future museum. (Submitted on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

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

The Convair - "Delta Dart" image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

3. The Convair - "Delta Dart"

The Knight's Dart image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

4. The Knight's Dart

Restored by the men and women of the 412 Equipment Maintenance Squadron Knights, October 2005

Century Circle image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, September 4, 2012

5. Century Circle

Air Traffic Control Tower Cab image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Denise Boose, February 21, 2012

6. Air Traffic Control Tower Cab

Used in the 1983 movie the "The Right Stuff." It was decommissioned in 1987.

F-106B “Delta Dart” image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, November 2, 2018

7. F-106B “Delta Dart”

courtesy NASA

8. F-106B “Delta Dart”

The same Convair F-106B “Delta Dart”, s/n 59-0158, with the original seven Mercury Astronauts. From left: Lt. M. Scott Carpenter, Capt. Gordon Cooper, Col. John H. Glenn Jr., Capt. Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Lt.Cdr.Walter Schirra, Lt.Cdr. Alan B. Shepard Jr., and Capt. Donald K. “Deke” Slayton. Photo taken on January 20, 1961.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 963 times since then and 33 times this year. Last updated on March 27, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 25, 2012, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. 7. submitted on November 5, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.