106 - F-106 Delta Dart

The 'Century Series' concludes with a look at the Convair F-106 Delta Dart. Retired U.S. Air Force Major Bruce Gordon joins us-not as cohost this time but as the star of the discussion on the big brother to the F-102 Delta Dagger that served well into the late 80's. Single engine, mach 2-capable, ground-based data link, and nuclear air-to-air missiles, the "Six" is the quintessential 'Century Series' interceptor.
Listener questions answered on this episode include how far in advance training pipelines are shut down before an aircraft is retired, what goes through a naval aviator's mind when lining up on the catapult, why general aviation aircraft focus on airspeeds whereas military use AOA, and more. Check out Bruce's book Spirit of Attack:
link.fighterpilotpodcast.com/...
Episode artwork by Janek Krause. Bumper music by Jaime Lopez / announcements by Clint Bell. This episode was produced by our friends at the MuscleCar Place Podcast Network.

[@mal15102]

Bruce is a hard act to follow; I've even tried on a few occasions at F 106 reunions. I flew the Six for a bit over 3000 hrs including the dubious honor of the last operational sortie of the Six in 1988. I also flew the 102 and the F15. The 106 was by far my favorite. I can only add to Bruce's discussion in later operations. We flew regularly with the G suit in later times. The gun was somewhat limited in fire rate due to limited hydraulic flow. We couldn't get to the 6000 rounds per minute the M61 was capable of. 4500 rounds per minute was the non selectable maximum. Our gunsight was a huge departure from the lead computing sights of the past and some form of that sight is used in all advanced fighters today. At the very end of the 106's use, we even developed an IFR gun capability using the very accurate MA 1 fire control steering and a beam attack similar to the 102 rocket beam. The 106 was far ahead of it's time with data link/tactical situation display, infra red search and track, internal weapons, improved gunsight, low wing loading, true mach 2 speed, superb ECCM fire control and even a rudimentary nav system that didn't rely on ground stations. It was a pleasure to fly and employ but it was a lot like golf in that it took many years to be truly good with it. Right out of training you were not much of a threat; unlike the F15 where even a brand new Lt out of RTU is really dangerous to any adversary. Oh and Gary is a good friend of mine and I don't know how his incident became the "Cornfield Bomber" it's really the "Weatfield Fighter".

[@mal15102]

Darn auto correct Wheatfield not Westfield.....

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@mal15102 Hah, no problem. Good stuff! (and you can edit your comments, as I just did)

[@aaronvargas3580]

Honestly wish this episode was longer so we could hear more stories! Bruce is a legend. Mach Speed!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Bruce has more stories on his channel: kzbin.info

[@aaronvargas3580]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Just subscribed

[@leeadams5941]

Most Delta wing aircraft I've been associated with have been spectacular and my favorite is still the A4

[@RCAvhstape]

"They took all the money (for the F-106X) and gave it to the F-15." Okay, I love the F-106, but looking back at the history of the Eagle, I guess you can't say the money was wasted at all.

[@MongooseTacticool]

The X looks like a Viggen :) Maybe Saab took inspiration from the X.

[@TLTeo]

@@MongooseTacticool The Viggen first flew in 1967, the F106X was first proposed in 1968. If anything it may be the other way around ;)

[@caseruels1924]

Great interview with an amazing pilot of an excellent airframe! I enjoyed this completely

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks. 🤩

[@modap3000]

Thank you for interviewing Bruce Gordon.

[@keithstewart1914]

Love Bruce! More Bruce!

[@_RAF_SkyRider_]

I thought I already knew all from the Bruce Gordon's book The Spirit of Attack, but no - I just have find some new information from this interview! Thank you Vincent a lot!

[@mobiuszero1018]

Bruce Gordon is an amazing gentleman and it's so good that he was on the show! he definitely sounds like he lived the dream,so to speak.

[@SpaceGaucho_]

amazing audio editing, was no problem at all. great stories! thanks

[@dutchbrotherfan1284]

Bruce Gordon, you are a great story teller, your bias really shows. Bruce Gordon!! Bruuuuuuucccceee!!!!

[@bret9741]

I’ve corresponded via KZbin several times with Mr Gordon. I use to live in Kentucky. Probably good I moved because Bruce would have to tell me to stop asking him to let me buy him lunch. I just enjoy his personality and how he conveys his life experiences.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🤩

[@sharoncassell9358]

That was dynamic. I met fighter pilots in the 1980s. Test pilots & stories but none as intricate as these. Thank you. intricate more thorough explanations here. Jello & other pod cast pilots are great. Cool.

[@spacebear49]

Hope you guys will do the F-111 for the appropriately numbered episode. Jeff Guinn has done a couple episodes on Aircrew Interviews and has some great stories.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Recording the interview today, as a matter of fact (but not with Jeff).

[@TorToroPorco]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Hope you can find someone who’s flown the EF-111 mission as well.

[@dutchbrotherfan1284]

Love the one leven

[@mcmoose64]

If you do the F111, could you please try to track down an Aussie pilot to contribute. I sat in the cockpit of one at Amberly RAAF base during school visit in the late 70s. During the same visit I saw a freshly restored. CAS Avon Sabre , and saw one of the last Canberra bombers in Australian service take off. For a teenage aviation geek this was the equivalent of a wet dream .

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

@@mcmoose64 Done. 👍

[@eribertoacedo9505]

I found this program very interesting I listen to it all the way thank you for sharing this with all of us. San Diego California.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

You’re welcome, from your neighbor in Coronado.

[@Leptospirosi]

You always learn something new: I've heard of the fuel transfer for the centre of pressure but didn't know it was not enought

[@sesiombh2499]

Thank you for the continued great work!

[@hockey3761]

So happy to finally get the f-106 episode! Such a beautiful plane. My desktop backgrounds was a mix of f-102/104/106s.. But mostly of 106s. Great job guys.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks! 😎

[@Fast85FoxGT]

Love Bruce. Great episode and even greater series.... Cant wait for the Wild Weasel episode whenever that comes..

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Maybe this year but no current plans.

[@RCAvhstape]

Bruce tells so many great stories it's hard to pick the best one. The BOMARC kill really stands out in my mind. And the Cornfield Bomber details are new to me; I did not know about the still-running engine pushing the plane towards the farmer's house before.

[@bret9741]

Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! Bruce! And the crowd yells for more! Seriously, love to hear his experiences and perspective.

[@tsechejak7598]

A brave pilot awsome teacher, story teller, of truth story, and great leader! Mr Bruce Gordon is up there right with the late Robin Olds for USAF heros!

[@schwappingmags1008]

I can never get enough with Mr.Gordon. Jello you should start a series called “Stories with Bruce Gordon”!

[@memphismarco5147]

Pro trick: watch series at Flixzone. Me and my gf have been using it for watching a lot of movies these days.

[@onyxdeshawn1997]

@Memphis Marco yup, been watching on flixzone for since november myself :)

[@michaelfisher5366]

As always, Bruce Gordon is an amazing storyteller. It is great to listen to anyone who is that excited about a subject.

[@showtime112]

Great episode. Bruce is pure gold!

[@martinbadoy5827]

I can never forget the F-106, since after I fell in love with the fighter pilot mystique after seeing Top Gun as a kid, the first toy I vivdly remember getting after that was a Delta Dart die-cast model

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

That's a good memory.

[@threexfromwsg]

Love listening to Bruce.

[@DavidWilliams-nq6fj]

Absolutely loved the episode. Jello was really on a role. Loved it.

[@maximilliancunningham6091]

Fantastic ! Thank you.

[@TonerLow]

This is definitely the plane I’ve been waiting years for. Can’t wait to get into this one

[@DrKnow-ye6rv]

This is an aircraft so beautiful that it almost doesn't matter whether it works or not.

[@Whitesp44]

Fantastic! I was in high school in the late 80's on Cape Cod. We would go to Otis AFB with a cooler full of beer and lawn chairs, sit by the end of the active runaway and whatch F106 As I believe. I remember thinking how old they looked but wow were they cool to watch do touch n gos. The F15 replaced them. I still have pictures of the 102nd "gull" emblem painted on the shiny metal as they coasted in . Great podcast, I didn't realize how great they truly were. And how old I am.

[@samsignorelli]

My AF duty station was Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY....and we had the last active duty F-106 squadron, the 49th FIS (who transitioned to the F-15 when the 106 was withdrawn from active duty service) Always liked the Dart....especially since my father was a Convair engineer and worked on it!

[@jordanvraptor]

One of my favorite fighters.

[@kenklein4783]

I live in Dayton and I’ve seen the ‘Cornfield Bomber’ many times at the museum.

[@robertdownie6574]

Hi Jell-O. A suggestion for the show - the English Electric Lightening. A real hot rod that could go supersonic in a vertical climb. Same era as the Vulcan and just as loved here in the UK. Cheers

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

It’s on our list Robert, don’t you worry!

[@robertdownie6574]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Yay!

[@nickforster748]

Ian Black is your man although I’m sure there are others...

[@robertdownie6574]

@@nickforster748 yes I was just watching a video of his!

[@evanolynuk]

"Well yes, the weapons bay is inside the aircraft." That was phenomenal. Had to pause so I didn't miss anything while I laughed.

[@1fortheroad1]

Catching up on these podcast (not chronologically) and I find it really interesting how much the town I live in (they call it a city) has influenced even American military aviation. Bomarc missile mentioned here. I had a buddy live in the trailer park that is now where they use to store them. Later a guest from North Bay. Real interesting.

[@nickforster748]

Another great episode! Bruce is such a great story teller, I’d love to line up the pints (UK beer obviously) and listen to his stories all night! I’ve learnt a lot about the F-106, which in many ways seems to have been way ahead of it’s time in terms of avionics and integration with the Air Defence Ground Environment. Many thanks Jell-O! 🍻

[@cdp200442]

My favorite aircraft that was stationed right by our home in the 60’s carrying the Genie

[@andresgarcia7757]

170mh! We are going to have to ground you! Major Gordon sounds like my old man, he looks like he enjoys telling his stories, what a blast!

[@earlyprimate]

At Duluth AFB (closed for decades now) there was a concrete windowless monolithic building visible from the main road near where I grew up. It was referred to as the "Sage Building" and now I know what it actually was thank you.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

🤩

[@RCAvhstape]

The Smithsonian Museum of American History in DC years ago had a whole section for computer history and there was a SAGE display exhibit, about 20 years ago, which is where I first heard about it. I don't know if the exhibit is still there, but I am fascinated with the history of Cold War electronics. There is at least one old film on KZbin about the giant mainframe computers of the SAGE system and how they were all linked together with modems to integrate the system across the continent. Amazing tech for the 50s and early 60s.

[@DJones476]

Jell-O, my friend, I have a question that is driving me nuts. I haven't seen any A/B model Hornets do the flat pirouette at airshows (at least, not on any of the KZbin vids I've seen). I know that pirouette logic (and falling leaf resistance) was a big part of PROM/OFP 10.7 retrofitted to C/D model Hornets. Is it possible to install 10.7 in A/B models? Thanks in advance, Vince.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Will have to check in to that one...haven’t been flying any demos, so never needed to know!

[@DJones476]

@@FighterPilotPodcast No worries, Vince, I know now. In case you were wondering, A/B Hornets can indeed be retrofitted with 10.7. According to 'Peanut', the CF-18s also have 10.7. Many thanks for your time and attention.

[@APV878]

The F-106X sounds totally Boss, especially if it had digital avionics. I also often wonder if small canards would have helped the F-101 with the pitch-up problem, or, some kind of baffle/spoiler that kept airflow on the tailplane. I also like the think what-if the 106 and 101 had the same engines as the F-15.

[@JETZcorp]

The J75 in the 106 has pretty similar thrust to the F100 in the Eagle. Of course the Eagle gets to play with two engines. To get meaningfully more thrust, they'd have had to come up with a new engine. The J75 was just about the most powerful fighter engine until some of the later F110 and F100 variants, which of course are quite a bit smaller. With the big size the 106 has to play with, they could have (and would need to) come up with a real monster motor if it was going to do the F-15's role.

[@B1900pilot]

Always enjoy your videos, but this interview with Bruce Gordon is one of my faves. He others on his own channel that are informative and enjoyable. Very little credit is given to the Cold War warriors from Aerospace Defense Command.

[@missilpeludo8813]

Tks jello, now I have something interesting to listening

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Hope you like it!

[@SDsc0rch]

your opening monolog....... concur all well said

[@f-4gww458]

Another great episode! How about the F9F Panther/ Cougar or F-11?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

If it was an operational military aircraft and we have not yet covered it, it's fair game.

[@krissobieski4341]

Can you please do the Mirage F-1?

[@GaneshPatil-yc8fh]

Bruce can you please confirm what is RCS if this aircraft ?

[@muttleyjones2]

I think it's Radar Cross Section.

[@dks13827]

Bruce is great !!! You had to have guts back then, for sure.

[@D5Pasadena]

Inevitable, but not today - love the Top Gun Maverick reference

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Actually, it was a reference to a recent blog: www.fighterpilotpodcast.com/musing/not-today/

[@ja_37di_81]

Cool, the other Delta-thingy.. ;)

[@samsignorelli]

Deltas were kinda Convair's thing....understandable, since Dr. Lippisch worked with them after thevwar.

[@fraucow]

Hey Bruce, did you ever know an F-102 sqdrn CO named Harford P. Jenks? I He taught me to fly.

[@georgeburns7251]

I think Bruce’s comments about Robin Olds not liking the Genie missile is misplaced. Robin had experience flying combat. Bruce had experience flying practice in the US. A lot of differences. Lots of things work in the lab, but fail in the field. But otherwise, loved his stories. I wish he could have explained what interface the computer he mentions had to the Genie. The infrared Sidewinder had no computer interface at all. Just wondering.

[@10screenwriter]

Do you know Any F 106s that are active? I painted them. Are there are any that can be given to Ukrane. I pained them at Mcclellan. AFB depot. Hit my hed on them many time.while working on them.:)

[@jacksonschadt7573]

I don’t believe it was mentioned in the F-100 episode but I guess the last of the century series that flew was the F-107 Ultra Sabre which was a development of the Super Sabre in the late 50s. Only 3 were built and never went into full production because the program was cancelled. It’s a pretty weird looking fighter if you see a picture of it.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Good to know!

[@guitarsarelikestupid7200]

Seems like canards would have disrupted airflow into the engines unless they were mounted on the intakes, but then they might not have been forward enough to be effective.

[@flightsimstuff5417]

Looks like the channel is doing well Jello. Great to see.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks.

[@jeffreyphipps5099]

Nice interview...let’s talk Jello’s motorcycle story. What kind of bike and was that 175 indicated?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

2006 Yamaha R1 LE. Ground speed. 😉

[@jeffreyphipps5099]

So ‘indicated’

[@lidell56]

Did I see astronaut wings on Bruce chest? If do what did he do to get them?

[@z33r0now3]

wow, he even knows dcs. what a guy :)

[@cdp200442]

We know now the the F-35 is loved by all Air Force and Navy.. I remember so much the hype about the flying turkey even getting a 20 minute rant about the F-18 hornet in the 80’s on 60 minutes. The feds wanted to cut it and was just like the F-35C

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Our next episode will be about this very matter.

[@dkoz8321]

Some commercial and miltary pilotys refer to flying in Alaska as ILSKA. Becouse you are always using ILS, as weather sucks.

[@roberttimby]

Great Pod cast! Rivals F105! 1st or 2nd you can not pick. What about the heads lines on the new Air Force tankers KC-46? The media saying it junk but the Israel Air Force is buying 8 of them. to go along with their F-35.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Thanks Robert. Not sure on the tanker...it’s kind of like the discussion in the opening of this episode. Not all the facts available in a single article, so it’s limiting in many ways.

[@terryboyer1342]

Hey Jell-O. I just want to contribute a little on the F-35 controversy. I don't know how you regard Aviation Week & Space Technology as regards to yellow journalism but here's an excerpt from their article titled Viper Strike Jan 25-Feb 7 2021. In it they discuss the AFs considering buying more F-16s as well as ordering F-15EXs. One paragraph reads "When asked by a reporter on Jan 14th for his thoughts about the F-35, then Acting Defense Secretary Christopher Miller referred to his departments largest weapon system as "a piece of shit." It also talks about the F-35s high acquisition and maintenance costs. It quotes Will Roper, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology and logistics saying " I think it's a long way from being an affordable fighter that we can buy in bulk. That's why other tactical aviation options are appealing to have in the mix." I've also heard rumors that the Navy is also cooling on the idea of putting all their eggs in the F-35 basket by slowing acquisition and possibly ordering more FA/18s. Maybe the F-35 is fading somewhat as the pentagons "golden child." Anyway I've really enjoyed the Century Series and always thought the 106 never got the respect it deserved.

[@tabascoindy5005]

Orval trappist ale(carrots) is excellent beer to cure sore throats & bring people in good happy mood.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

What a machiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine! (to be read in Jeremy Clarkson's voice)

[@lotust98]

Loved the interview but Jello 175 mph on a motorcycle i am impressed as i only got 135 mph on my 600 .

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Mine was a 1,000, guess the extra cc's made a difference.

[@fortworthron]

I think next, you need to continue on with the Century Series - next being the F-107A from North American Aviation. :-)

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

We draw the line on operational aircraft.

[@josephrosenbaum3343]

Yep. People were taking that shit COMPLETELY out of context with those clickbait articles. It's *supplementing* the fleet and replacing the oldest airframes that they cant replace with F-35's because they cant make them fast enough. Nothing about that announcement was saying the jet was a failure

[@vagitarian68419]

How about a space shuttle pilot for an interview?

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Might be slightly outside of our military aviation niche.

[@vagitarian68419]

@@FighterPilotPodcast true, I suppose it’s only aviation for the landing. maybe better suited to the glider pilot podcast

[@scarcatch]

hi jello, what happen to your voice? Love the podcast, good deal!

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Not sure!

[@BullittGT40]

I was lucky enough to grow up in Ft Worth and be friends with a kid who's dad was an executive with Lockheed Martin who was close to the project. To say that Fat Amy was a moneysink of boondoggle proportions is an understatement. I won't say anymore given that I don't know what I'm allowed to know let alone say but it's safe to say the taxpayers got the shaft several times over regardless of what you think of the aircraft, or more importantly to the story, all its systems.

[@joeytheprince]

Do F-111s not qualify as century series?

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

As far as I know, the F-4 bears some connection with the Century series (I believe it was originally intended to be its last member). The F-111 is a whole generation younger.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

True,@@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X, the F-4 was the F-110 for a time.

[@X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X8X]

@@FighterPilotPodcast Thank you, I had F-110 on the back of my mind as well.

[@RCAvhstape]

The F-117 is also not considered part of the Century Series, which is really about that first generation of supersonic fighters rooted in the 1950s.

[@kdrapertrucker]

Yes, but they don't qualify as fighters.

[@jamesbower6408]

I think I missed it..... what happened to sunshine???? I like boat but going through 100 shows in like 3 months I got rather used to sunshine and miss him. I hope it isn't a sore subject jello

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Not at all. He left amicably at the end of the F-22 episode so go back and check that out for the full story.

[@jamesbower6408]

@@FighterPilotPodcast thanks man!!! I just knew he was a fighter so my mind was thinking the worst! I hope he is doing well! Thank you for answering so quickly sir!

[@blakena4907]

Who came up with Genie as a name for a nuclear tipped missile? Either way, it's very aptly named. Don't let the Genie out of the bottle.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

Good question, and good point!

[@0321phillips]

Why doesn't US aircraft manufactures use delta wing designs anymore?

[@muttleyjones2]

I know the landing speed for Carriers is high in Delta's, that may have something to do with it.

[@JETZcorp]

I love the 106, but it completely floors me that anyone still put jets up with no RWR even 1 day after the technology came available. Anyone who's flown fighters, even in DCS, knows that the RWR is unspeakably important for SA. Can you imagine someone guiding a Sparrow into you and your only warning is the smoke? You'd have to keep your head on a swivel like a deer in hunting season. There could be an SA-2 at your six or anything.

[@ndx6779]

RWR wasn't strictly necessary or useful for the F-106's mission, which was defense of the North American continent. No Soviet fighters with Fox 1s to worry about, no enemy surface-to-air missiles to worry about.

[@JETZcorp]

@@ndx6779 In the very early days, I suppose that would be true. They were still in service well into the MiG-23 and MiG-25 era though. One would hope they received a retrofit at some point.

[@JETZcorp]

@don s I dissent from the idea that it had no use of an RWR, seeing as it served into the 70s and even 80s. It's not a problem if you're intercepting United Flight 232 to Denver, but against a formation of Bears escorted by MiG-23s (or worse yet, MiG-25s) with BVR capability, it might be worth knowing when you're getting shot at. I get that it wasn't super important when the first one was deployed and the main threat was a MiG-19. But good lord, the battlefield did change dramatically over it's service life. No one would say that the fighters stationed today at Elmendorf don't have any need of RWRs, but they're effectively still doing the F-106 type mission.

[@noblerice6247]

First view and comment

[@bret9741]

I really learned a lot about the F-106. I had alway read that it was mostly a failure. Sadly I believe alot of folks also have been lead to believe this.

[@samsignorelli]

They're probably confusing the 106 with the 102.

[@bret9741]

@@samsignorelli yep. Looks about the same…I wish we could get a couple of 106’s and 102’s back to flying fir the air show circuit.

[@bret9741]

@don s yep. I wish I had appreciated the F-106 when I could have seen them . I saw a couple at an air show in 1986 at Reese AFB near Lubbock Texas. I went on to the Navy in 88. I retired medically from Delta Connection in 2008. I was lucky to fly with a lot of pilot from the Cold War. Our company had military pilots from all over the world but the bulk were US Vietnam era pilots who had amazing experiences and at the same time sadness and frustrations.

[@bret9741]

@don s these just flew in and set for display then flew out. I think they were from Atlantic City ANG.

[@anttiruo]

Mano a mano means brother to brother. (her)mano a (her)mano.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

In what language? The guy who corrected me was referring to Italian, evidently.

[@zakariahlafreniere1332]

what straight man uses the term "tummy" for stomach? ZERO.

[@_quARda]

VAM KElRF

[@SDsc0rch]

Verizon! food job...

[@pete_mitchell]

I was a instructor in Top Gun, never heard of any Jello guy, is fake.

[@maestherc]

Beyond development or production problems -the F-35 is a gold-plated turd. The major issues are unfortunately intrinsic to the core design. This is the sort of dud overpriced package we get when industry salesmen and paid-off congressmen and former USAF brass conspire to put their fingers on the defense procurement process. It sucks -let’s dump it.

[@FighterPilotPodcast]

And you are basing that opinion on direct involvement in the program?

[@mariusfrost640]

This is why I will never speak to or trust a journalist: they're motivated by financial factors just like anyone else. I'm sure some have integrity, but the few ruin it for the rest, as usual.

[@kb9bny]

I have Bruce’s book and he is very generous. I feel privileged to be able communicate with him on his facebook page. Check him out and say hi, he will say hi back.