This pair of Convair F-102A Delta Daggers, have just given a Russian Tu-95 Bear a gentle nudge to send it out of Icelandic airspace. These "Deuces" were part of USAF Air Defense Command's 57th FIS, based at Naval Station Keflavik, Iceland. The artwork on the left fuel tank gives a humorous touch to an important cold war mission. The F-102s would not wear their early 1960's silver lacquer paint jobs for long and would soon adopt the more standard gloss gray scheme. The "Black Knights" flew the type until 1973 and was the last regular USAF squadron to operate the type.
*The original painting is available for purchase. Acrylic on gessobard. Painting size in inches: 18 x 24. Contact the artist and reference: "Poking the Bear.”
Signed prints available on this site by clicking on the "add to cart" option. Print size in inches: 16 x 20 on 18 x 22 paper.