Author Topic: F-106G Dart 2000 (Read 27892 times)

Acree · « **on:** February 21, 2016, 02:11:32 AM »

After several abortive projects for upgraded versions of the F-106 Delta Dart, General Dynamics proposed a factory rebuild/upgrade to address all the negative aspects of the F-106 while preserving the excellent qualities of the interceptor. Designated F-106G, the project was referred to as Dart 2000 because of the anticipated in service entry date of late 1999 or early 2000.

I am aware that such an upgrade would have been superfluous with the F-16 and F-15 in service. But the F-106 has always been one of my favorite aircraft and I've often imagined a modernized version, so here we go!

Below are the plans I currently have in hand:

1. Replace the F-106's J75 with an F-110, being 1/3 lighter, but with greater maximum thrust and better fuel consumption, plus easier maintenance.
2. Replace F-106 lateral intakes with more modern, variable ramp inlets shaped like those of the F-15.
3. Replace the F-106's missile bay with a permanent M61A1 20mm cannon mount, plus additional internal fuel and avionics space.
4. Replace the MA-1 fire-control system with the APG-63 fit of the F-15.
5. A new, glass cockpit; new canopy and redesigned forward fuselage.
6. New missile armament of 4x AIM-4 or AMRAAM in semi-recessed fuselage mountings, plus 2x AIM-9 on cropped wingtips, plus up to four more on underwing mountings.
7. Various ECM/ECCM upgrades (bumps and antennae).

I will be using the Hasegawa F-106A kit in 1:72, plus various other bits I will point out along the way. Photos will be coming.

Chuck

Acree · « **Reply #1 on:** February 21, 2016, 02:14:23 AM »

Forgot to mention, new ACES II ejection seat and POSSIBLE canards.

Kerick · « **Reply #2 on:** February 21, 2016, 02:30:29 AM »

Awesome! This has been on my to do list for a long time. I'll be watching with great interest
One bit heard about the 106 and its radar was that it was so powerful that it would jam F-15 radar in air to air training

apophenia · « **Reply #3 on:** February 21, 2016, 04:32:28 AM »

Quote from: Acree on February 21, 2016, 02:11:32 AM

I am aware that such an upgrade would have been superfluous with the F-16 and F-15 in service...

Perhaps the Dart 2000 rebuilds are for export à la the Military Assistance Program F-5s?

As you probably know, Convair proposed Delta Dart variants with canard surfaces - including the 'least mod' F-106X with alternative canard positions (low- or high-mounted). Any chance of General Dynamics introducing canards on the Dart 2000?

Acree · « **Reply #4 on:** February 21, 2016, 04:39:31 AM »

There is certainly the possibility of canards. I'm assessing the aesthetics, as that is my personal driving motivation.

apophenia · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2016, 04:45:36 AM »

"If it looks right, it is right."

Acree · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2016, 05:17:39 AM »

I concur! Frankly, I don't like the look of the F-106X's canards, so if I do them, they will surely look different from those.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #7 on:** February 21, 2016, 06:49:22 AM »

This will definitely be one build worth watching :)

It'll be a great comparison to my Hasegawa F-106.

Must say though, by all means use AMRAAM, but ditch the AIM-4 Falcons as they are next to useless, outperformed in all aspects by the AIM-9 Sidewinder and its developments. :) :)

elmayerle · « **Reply #8 on:** February 21, 2016, 06:56:28 AM »

Going to enlarge the radome as illustrated in the D&S book? That could definitely add capability (F-15 radar at a minimum). You might want to add a second set of underwing hardpoints half way between the existing pylons and the wing tips. Going for reduced outboard leading edge sweep to fit Sidewinder/ASRAAM/etc. launch rails or going with an extended chord and dogtooth to get the same effect?

Acree · « **Reply #9 on:** February 21, 2016, 07:10:54 AM »

Definitely ditching the Falcons!! That "AIM-4" was a typo - meant to say AIM-7. But it will be AMRAAM anyway. Definitely enlarging the radome, too.

DFZ · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2016, 12:04:33 PM »

Oh yeah, this is going to be good! I'm tagging along for the ride too!

Personally i've never been very interested in the 106 till recently. Watched a doc about the cold war jets a few weeks ago and it really stuck with me since... Guess that's another add to the to-buy list...

Zen

Volkodav · « **Reply #11 on:** February 21, 2016, 01:30:34 PM »

Can't wait to see this one finished!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #12 on:** February 21, 2016, 02:37:22 PM »

changing the canopy and windscreen would do wonders for the F-106. New seat and instrument panel would also be nice to see.

Rage · « **Reply #13 on:** February 21, 2016, 03:34:46 PM »

So completely gonna keep tabs on this. I had toyed with this idea on paper and found my end result (new engine, canopy, and canards) kept coming out too Mirage-ish. I think your intake mods will be the key.

elmayerle · « **Reply #14 on:** February 22, 2016, 02:02:13 AM »

Quote from: Jeffry Fontaine on February 21, 2016, 02:37:22 PM

changing the canopy and windscreen would do wonders for the F-106. New seat and instrument panel would also be nice to see.

Blown canopy like that fitted to them later in life and a blown windscreen without that massive center structure would definitely change the look.

Acree · « **Reply #15 on:** February 22, 2016, 02:04:05 AM »

My canopy change will be more radical even than that. I am attempting to use a Eurofighter Typhoon canopy. I have a backup plan if that fails.

The whole canopy / radome / nose re-engineering is the biggest challenge for me right now.

Kelmola · « **Reply #16 on:** February 22, 2016, 02:36:12 AM »

Semi-related: this thread made me read up on F-106, and repeated exposure to front views of her made me realize that especially with the original canopy and those inlets she must certainly have been at least a partial inspiration for the Colonial Vipers from Battlestar Galactica.

FAAMAN · « **Reply #17 on:** February 22, 2016, 01:54:07 PM »

This is off topic, but the original designers used X-15, F-104, F-4 and F-107 as their inspiration for the 'compact' (27') Colonial Vipers.
Oops

forgot F4D Skyray :)
Cheers all

Acree · « **Reply #18 on:** February 27, 2016, 02:57:05 AM »

I have made some progress on the Dart 2000. The first picture below shows the F-110 in the package - nice little kit with detail few will ever see (brass flame holders deep inside the afterburner). The second pic shows the F-110 built up next to the kit pats it replaces. The third shows the new engine nozzle in situ (temporarily). The F-110 will sit further aft than the j-75 due to center of gravity issues and to allow the variable nozzle to sit outside the shroud that covered the J-75's fixed nozzle.

Next, I have begun to tackle the intakes. I took the intakes from an F-15C (Hasegawa) and cut them down in all three dimensions to mate up with the F-106 intake trunking. Much PSR follows and I still need at least one more PSR session, but you can get the idea.

I have also started work on the cockpit and nose changes. More pics soon!

Chuck

FAAMAN · « **Reply #19 on:** February 27, 2016, 06:59:04 AM »

Way cool!!

Kerick · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2016, 10:33:40 AM »

This is awesome!

Jeffry Fontaine · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2016, 11:30:03 AM »

Wonder how the vertical fin from an F-16 would look on the F-106? Especially one of the fins that includes the parachute housing.

Acree · « **Reply #22 on:** February 28, 2016, 03:00:48 AM »

Got some more done on the Dart 2000. Today's photos show the nose work. It actually went easier than I expected... after a lot of playing around and thinking. The first photo shows the new nose without radome, the second with radome (not glued), and the third is a peek into the cockpit. The last pic is a leftover from last time showing the new intakes again.

Kerick · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2016, 10:39:52 AM »

Looking good! I'm taking notes

finsrin · « **Reply #24 on:** February 28, 2016, 11:30:33 AM »

Fascinated how well these changes are integrating into an F-106. :)


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Author Topic: F-106G Dart 2000 (Read 27892 times)