F-106

Here's a look at the F-106A on display at McChord AFB in Tacoma, Wash. Photos were taken by Steve Heeb, and are intended as reference to assist model builders in creating accurate representations of this fine aircraft. There are more than 50 shots from a wide variety of angles. I kept the photos pretty big so that they can be used as references by model builders who do not have access to planes like this. Hope these shots will be of some help.

Some captions and details may be included to the right of the photos. I do not claim to be an expert (by any means) but have pointed out a few items that I found interesting. Please forgive any inaccuracies on my part.

Note: this plane is on display at the museum, and some details may have been altered from its original operational condition.

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Port side profile of the F-106 on display at McChord AFB
Starboard side profile of the F-106 on display at McChord AFB

 
Nose Markings position on Starboard side
Front port side markings
Note the curvature at the leading edge of the wing
Tail markings and speed brakes
Note the red tailhook and the two fins just to the port side of it. Also the fuel tanks have the blue markings on their inboard side
tail markings Starboard side
Note the red actuating rods and black/white stripes on speed brakes

Also note the "turkey feather" plating buried within the exhaust cone
Starboard main gear
Note that you can see through the open main gear bay area
Main gear bay. Doors hinged in center, but there was an open gap between that hinge line and the curvature that made up the roof of the gear bay
main gear on the starboard side, Looking slightly back, from center of plane
Landing light on the starboard main gear

Note the lightening holes in the gear doors
Note that there is some sort of grill just inside the starboard intake (I'm not sure if that was present in the intake on other side of the plane)
Starboard wing tanks/landing gear

Note outward angle that gear door extends away from the wheel
Wing tank mounting points

Looking back and inward at starboard pylon

Vents and markings near starboard intake
looking back at the missile rack in the internal missile bay
The rear part of the missile bay
Rear part of the missile bay as seen from the port side
Closeup of the rear part of the missile bay as seen from the starboard side
Artwork and tribute on interior of front landing gear door
Forward landing gear as viewed from the starboard side

Note position of artwork and tribute markings
Forward landing gear bay looking backward from nose of plane
looking forward at the front landing gear from starboard side

Note pitot tube of some sort just starboard of gear area
Looking forward from Starboard side
Starboard wing leadng edge

Note slats

Starboard wing

Note the underwing navigation light- Blue to the front and clear back half

Red Tail Hook and metallic fins
Port main gear

Note red light between gear door and fuel tank

Port Wing

Navigation light beneath the Port wing has red front and clear back

Cockpit markings on the port side
Note the small tube sensor inside the outward wall of the intake
Fin on port side of nose (just where the black paint meets the gray overall body color)
Fins below nose as seen from the port side looking back
Fins on nose

Better angle to show location of various fins below nose area

Missle bay doors, port side

Note how there is a significant space between door parts at the front of the missile bay doors. Toward the back part of the hinge line I could barely squeeze a finger between the two door parts but there is several inches of gap at the front.

Green Dragons logo is on port side of nose
nose area, port

Note the bulge just forward of the cockit

Markings, front starboard. It appears that the First Air Force badge has been moved since there is a "ghost" of the badge shape slightly lower and more forward than the current position (left by adhesive of previous marking?)
markings and access portals on starboard side
Stenciling on missle bay doors
Main gear doors

Note springs on inner landing gear door. There also are a pair of catches along edge of door and what looks like it might be a hand hold or something
Main portion of the canopy is clear, but the front portion has some tinting.

Also note multiple rear-view mirrors.

Man, that is a good looking plane
Landing light on front gear door
looking back at front landing gear
A closer look at the front landing gear
Backside of front gear
Instruments from Port side The F-106 cockpit inside the museum has the "dial" cockpit with round instruments.

The plane parked outside has the later "Ribbon" style gauges.

(The Yelow object in the foreground is the access ladder)

Instruments from Starboard side
Fast "Six"

The F-106 on display at McChord AFB in Tacoma was part of USAF World Speed Record team that set the single engine aircraft benchmark in 1959... a record that still stands.

Steve Heeb in
F-106 cockpit

While bright orange paint replicates the markings the plane carried as part of the World Speed Record team, the museum staff could not use any actual Day Glo Orange paint on its F-106 due to the original paint's lead content.

Ejection seat from Port side
Ejection seat from starboard side

 

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