F-102A Delta Dagger
(Case XX Wing)

Meng Model, 1/72 scale

Reviewed by Brett Green

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The Convair F-102 Delta Dagger was a US interceptor aircraft built as part of the backbone of the United States Air Force's air defences in the late 1950s.

Entering service in 1956, its main purpose was to intercept Soviet bomber fleets. The F-102 was the first operational supersonic interceptor and delta-wing fighter of the USAF. It used an internal weapons bay to carry both guided missiles and rockets. As originally designed, it could not achieve Mach 1 supersonic flight until redesigned with area ruling.

The F-102 replaced subsonic types such as the F-89 Scorpion, and by the 1960s, it saw limited service in Vietnam in bomber escort and ground attack roles. It was supplemented by F-101 Voodoos and, later, by F-4 Phantom IIs.

Many F-102s were transferred to United States Air National Guard duty by the mid-to-late 1960s, and the type was retired from operational service in 1976.

The follow-on replacement was the Mach 2 class F-106 Delta Dart, which was an extensive redesign of the F-102.*

Meng released an excellent 1/72 scale F-102A with the Case X wing late last year. They have now followed-up with the Case XX wing version.
 
 

Meng's 1/72 scale F-102 Delta Dagger is fitted with the Case XX wing and comprises 95 parts in grey plastic and five parts in clear. Markings for three aircraft are also included.

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Thumbnail panels:

Plastic parts are very well moulded with no imperfections in places that will be visible on the finished model. Even tricky areas such as the undercarriage doors and the backs of one-piece wheels are free from ejector pin and sink marks.

Panel lines and selected rows of rivets are quite crisp and fine. The photos tend to overemphasise them due to the saturation of light, but they look very good on the surface of the plastic.

Details are also well done. The cockpit features an instrument panel with moulded detail and the option of a decal overlay. The seat is a three-piece affair, although you'll need to bring your own harness straps. The tub includes integrated side consoles with raised switch detail.

The engine exhaust is appropriatey deep and the two-piece nozzle is finely detailed.

The clamshell speed brakes may be posed either open or closed. If they are glued open, a one-piece actuator will hold the speed brake doors at the correct angle.

Landing gear bays have penty of structural detail moulded in place.

One of the most impressive options in the kit is the weapons bay. This may be posed open with a loadout of six AIM-4C or AIM-4D missiles. Alternate pylons are provided too - either folded or deployed.

The folded weapons bay door is well detailed on both sides and even on the edges.

Two under-wing 815 litre drop tanks complete the ordnance.

The clear parts are thin and free from distortion. The canopy may be posed open using a fixed actuator - another thoughtful touch.

Engineering and parts breakdown is conventional, with thin sprue attachments and plenty of locating pins. On the major parts such as fuselage halves, the sprue attaches via the mating surface, not the exterior surface of the part. This reduces the risk of scarring the external surface of the plastic during parts removal and cleanup.

There is no mention of nose weight, but I expect that some will be required to keep that front wheel on the ground.

Markings are supplied for three USAF aircraft from 509th FIS, 196th FIS and 179th FIS.

The markings provided for the two grey machines are colourful and interesting. The SEA scheme offers even more variety. The decals are well printed and in register.

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With most of the parts in common with their earlier F-102A Case X, the Case XX wing version was always gping to be an excellent kit. These new Delat Daggers blow away the old 1/72 scale Hasegawa kit in terms of detail, options and surface features. In fact, I think it is the best F-102 kit currently available in any scale.

The model is surprisingly big, even in 1/72 scale, so it will be an eye-catching canvas for some of the striking marking options available.

This is an impressive model of an important Cold War early supersonic jet. I wonder if we'll see more of the Century Series in 1/72 scale from Meng?

Thanks to Meng Model for the sample

* Background and History courtesy of Wikipedia

Text and Images Copyright © 2013 by Brett Green
Page Created 4 December, 2013
Last updated 4 December, 2013

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