As the B-1B Lancer Supersonic bombers began coming off the assembly line at the Rockwell International Plant 42 in Palmdale CA, the detachment 15 of the Contract Management Division of the AF Systems Command stood up to support the acceptance test flight program. In Mar 1986 the F-106 was selected as the photos and safety chase plane due to its endurance and high speed, and availability. This after the F-111, F-4 and T-38 were either unavailable or deemed unworthy of the mission. The first F-106B model, 57-2513 from Kelly AFB TX, arrived at Palmdale on 18 Oct 1986. Last to depart was F-106A 59-0061 on 06 July 1990 to AMARC.
Eight F-106's were assigned between 10 Oct 1986 and 06 July 1990, half were stationed in Palmdale and the other at Kirkland AFB NM. Chase flights were also flown out of Tinker AFB OK, the B-1B depot. It took two F-106's to chase one B-1 acceptance flight, even with the 360 external fuel tanks.
Several versions of tail flash markings were used throughout the duration of the program. You can see them here in the Photo Gallery. The last used tail flash of the silhouettes of an F-106 and a B-1 was designed by crew chief Jerry Roth, a distinctive eye catching tail flash. Chase flights were also flown out of Tinker AFB OK, the B-1B depot.
Serial No. (click Tail #) | MDS | From | To Palmdale |
---|---|---|---|
57-2513 58-0795 59-0008 59-0060 59-0061 57-2535 57-2509 59-0149 |
F-106B F-106A F-106A F-106A F-106A F-106B F-106B F-106B |
Kelly Kelly 159th 159th Kelly 159th 159th 119th |
10 Oct 1986 30 Oct 1986 12 Dec 1986 24 Jan 1987 06 Feb 1987 03 Mar 1987 23 Mar 1987 02 Aug 1988 |
Gary Olin, right of Rockwell International and MAJ Jimmy Robbins, USAF stand in front of F-106A 59-0061, the last F-106A Delta Dart in active service before its final flight. Robbins flew the aircraft to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ where it was used in the QF-106 drone program.
PILOTS (6)
NAVIGATORS (4)
Several versions of tail flash markings were used throughout the duration of the program.
You can see them here in the Photo Gallery
The last used tail flash was the silhouettes of an F-106 and a B-1 and was designed by crew chief Jerry Roth, a distinctive eye catching tail flash.
Interesting Note:
The two different Tail Flash arts were created by Jerry Roth for the chase planes
Final Fate of the 8 Chase F-106 Delta Darts
References & Contributors