MUSEUM NEWS 

03 NOVEMBER 2005

Fresh in the markings of the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron F-102A 56-1515 sits in the Museums restoration hangar awaiting completion.

During the last few weeks of September members from 62d Maintenance Squadron sanded, primed and painted one of the museums newest displays, the F-102 Delta Dagger S/N 56-1515. The aircraft, formerly wearing a worn a Southeast Asia camouflage painted on a number of F-102's slated to serve in the Vietnam war, was painstakingly repainted Air Defense Command Gray with 317th FIS's distinctive red band with a white lightning bolt.

For the last three years former members of the 317th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron have been restoring the Interceptor since its arrival from Davis-Monthan AFB replacing another F-102. After months of restoration the other F-102, S/N 57-0858 recovered from Tyndall AFB in 1999, was found to have many areas of corrosion from years on display in Florida. Usable components were recovered for # 515’s restoration; the remainder of 858’s airframe was recovered recently by the Vermont ANG to be used to repair another F-102 (S/N 54-3366) on display at Burlington ANGB, VT. 

After it’s painting, 515 was moved back to the Museums restoration hangar for the final stages of restoration. Plans are for the F-102 to be moved to the Museum yard by the summer of 2006. 

The McChord Air Museum Foundation wants to acknowledge the professionalism of the following individuals in transforming the aircraft into its current appearance.

Former restoration subject 57-0858 is pictured sitting at the former F-106 engine trim pad during the summer of 2005.