[Dean Fredericks, U.S.A.F. DELTA DART F-106]

This is Damon Eckles speaking to you from the flight line at Tindle Air Force Base, home of William Tel, the 7th annual USAFS weapons meet. Approaching our camera now is the famous Stella Dart F106 newest interceptor in the Air Defense Command inventory. The pilot is Captain Jim Holler of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Mr. Dean Frederick, well-known TV actor and star of the Steve Canyon television program, has just landed after making his first Mach 2 flight in the F106. And we're going to try to take our microphone and see if we can't go up and uh talk to Mr. President and get his reaction from this tremendous airplane. Hello, Steve. How are you? >> Well, Damon, all I can say is that Captain Jim Holler just gave me the greatest ride of my life. >> These boys in the air defense command really know how to fly, right? Boy, that's for sure. >> Was there any I know you've flown supersonic before, but how about going Mach 2? Is there any difference in the way you felt? >> Well, it it's about the same except just twice the speed of sound instead of once. I mean, you don't even realize it. You know, in a way, it's when you think about it and look back in wonderment, well, you think yourself twice the speed of sound. My gosh. But up there, it's as quiet and as smooth. >> Smooth as can be, huh? >> Yes, it is. >> Well, uh, now you've, uh, just had this experience of flying this tremendous airplane. What do you think about uh enemy bombers that might someday be foolish enough to approach our coastline? You think this plane can handle them? >> Oh, if they keep building them like this, well, I mean, as far as long range fighter interceptors, the greatest thing in the world. >> Well, Steve, now you're a guest down here of the Williamtail meet and you know, this is the seventh uh annual weapons meet sponsored by the Air Defense Command. What are some of your reactions to what you've seen here? >> Well, the weather's been not the greatest in the world, but of course, that's what these things are built for. And uh I'd also like to say that the boys in maintenance have been doing a wonderful job. You get down that flight line and watch them working down there and the the whole operation is just one big job of teamwork. >> Well, it's very true. And this uh the fact that they've been able to hold this uh meet in this tremendously bad weather that we've had here sort of proves that they're ready for anything. >> This weather isn't bothering them at all. >> Well, it's sure nice talking with you, Steve. And uh we'll have more to say to you after you get out and get stretched. I know it must be a little cramped in here, isn't it? >> No, no. This has got a lot of room. Really has. >> Okay. Well, thanks a lot for talking to us and we'll see you again.