The Convair F-102 was designed as a weapon system to protect the Continental United States from attack by Russian atomic bomb armed strategic bombers. They saw service for two decades from 1956 to 1976.

Development of the F-102 began with the experimental delta winged XF-92 that first flew in September 1948.

This became the basis of an interceptor to be armed with guided missiles and guided to its targets by a ground based control system.

The prototype YF-102 first flew on 24 October 1953 and an improved version that included ‘wasp-waisting’ to reduce supersonic drag first flew on 19 December 1954.

They began entering service in April 1956 and 889 single seat and 111 twin seat aircraft were manufactured.

This model represents a F-102 of the 57th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, USAF, c. 1972.

Hasegawa 1/72 kit with Microscale decals completed by Leigh Edmonds in February 2008.