"The SR-71 was designed by a team of Lockheed personnel known as the ""Skunk Works."" In the late 1950s, the SR-71's basic design originated in secrecy, with the aircraft's designation as A-11. Its existence was publicly announced on February 29, 1964 by President Lyndon Johnson, the time when he announced that an A-11 had flown at sustained speeds of over 2,000 miles per hour during tests at Edwards AFB, California. Its A-11 design development as a strategic reconnaissance aircraft began on February 1963. The first SR-71A arrives at Kadena AB to replace. The SR-71A's maiden flight (in ""Big Tail"" configuration) was on December 3, 1975. There were two SR-71s at Dryden with the assigned NASA tail numbers, NASA 844 (A model) with military serial 64-17980, NASA 831 (B model) with military serial 64-17956, which was manufactured in September 1965. There was another A model, the NASA 832 with military serial 64-17971 and was manufactured in October 1966. The A model was returned to the USAF inventory and was the first aircraft reactivated in 1995 for reconnaissance purposes. The SR-71A has a crew capacity of two. It has a maximum speed of Mach 3.2+ and a combat range of 2,900 nmi. There were 32 SR-71s built, with 29 as SR-71As for operational missions. SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying production aircraft throughout its operational existence. "
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"Initially employed by Strategic Air Command to satisfy nationally tasked reconnaissance requirements, the Boeing RC-135 has participated in every armed conflict involving US assets during its tenure. It has supported operations in Vietnam, the Mediterranean, Grenada, Panama, the Balkans and Southwest Asia. It has maintained a constant presence in Southwest Asia since the early 1990s. All RC-135s are assigned to Air Combat Command. The RC-135 is permanently based at Offutt Air Force Base (AFB), Nebraska and operated by the 55th Wing using various forward operating locations worldwide. RC-135S Cobra Ball is a Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT) aircraft which carries infrared telescopes for tracking ballistic-missile tests at long range. Four aircraft are in service, operating out of Offutt AFB and deploying to various locations around the world. Cobra Ball aircraft were originally assigned to Shemya and used to observe ballistic missile tests on the Kamchatka peninsula in conjunction with Cobra Dane and Cobra Judy. The Cobra Ball suite of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) and MASINT sensor systems were designed to exploit the enemy electromagnetic spectrum. In war, Cobra Ball could provide rapid recognition of tactical ballistic missile launches following cloud-break and horizon clearance. Within seconds of launch detection, estimates of launch point, intercept point, and impact point are available for transmission over a data link to theater C4I elements. Estimates of increasing accuracy are transmitted during the course of the missile's flight until burnout occurs. "
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"This Collection features the seven of the aircraft and helicopters used to support the President of the United States. This Collection features the seven of the aircraft and helicopters used to support the President of the United States. The collection includes (from left to right): Marine One VH-34, Marine One VH3, VC-121 Columbine III, VC-25A, SAM 26000, Marine One VH60, and Marine One VH-71. This each miniature model of the Presidential aircrafts and helicopters is an authentic replica made from the finest grade of select kiln dried mahogany wood. The model is hand-carved; from the aircraft fuselage, to the sanding of the airplane’s contours. Every part is assembled precisely into place. Each model passes through various stages; from priming and sanding before it is hand-painted to duplicate the actual colors of the original historical aircraft. Every detail of the actual airplane is also copied -- from insignias to squadron badges, nose-art, emblems and serial numbers. Finally, multiple coats of clear lacquer are applied to protect the artwork and provide an overall glossy finish. Mounted on a beautiful mahogany base all seven aircraft and helicopters are precisely hand finished to exact detail. Complete with the Presidential logo and brass plaques indicating the aircraft type. Now you can have the Presidential Collection right before your very eyes at the most reasonable price. "
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"The Lockheed F-117A Blackjet is a single-seat, twin-engine stealth ground attack aircraft operated solely by the United States Air Force (USAF). It was the first operational aircraft initially designed around stealth technology. Also known as the Nighthawk, it has a string of other nicknames. Before it was given an official name, engineers and test pilots referred to it as “Cockroach”, a name that is still sometimes used. As it prioritized stealth over aerodynamics, the first model was nicknamed “The Hopeless Diamond”. It was also called “Wobblin' Goblin” due to its alleged instability at low speeds. Locals in the area around Holloman Air Force Base (AFB) referred to it as simply “Stealth”. The unique design of the F-117A provides exceptional combat capabilities. The aircraft can employ a variety of weapons and is equipped with sophisticated navigation and attack systems. A digital avionics suite increases mission effectiveness and reduces pilot workload. The first Blackjet was delivered in 1982, and the last delivery was in the summer of 1990. The F-117A has been used several times in war. It first saw combat in the United States invasion of Panama, during which two Blackjets dropped two bombs on Rio Hato airfield. During Operation Desert Storm in 1991, F-117As flew approximately 1,300 sorties and scored direct hits on 1,600 high value targets in Iraq. Although the F-117As flew through some of the most heavily defended areas in Desert Storm, not one aircraft was shot down or damaged. "
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"The Republic F-105 Thunderchief, also called as the ""Thud"", was the first single-seat supersonic, all-weather strike fighter-bomber used by the U.S. Air Force. First flown on October 2, 1955, the Thunderchief entered service in 1958. Aside from being the largest, single-engine tactical aircraft in history, the F-105 was notable for its large internal bomb bay and unique swept-forward engine inlets in the wing roots. The wing was highly swept and incorporated low-speed ailerons and high-speed spoilers for lateral control, and a droop-snoot leading edge. Originally designed to deliver nuclear weapons at supersonic speeds, the F-105 Thunderchief, like the B-52, was pressed into service delivering iron bombs to North Vietnam. In this role the F-105 excelled and by the end of 1970 the F-105 had flown 75% of the bombing missions to North Vietnam. With over 20,000 Thunderchief sorties were flown, with 382 aircraft lost (nearly half of the 833 produced) including 62 operational casualties. Although it lacked the agility of smaller MiG fighters, USAF F-105s demonstrated the effectiveness of guns, and were credited with downing 27.5 enemy aircraft. The F-105D variant was the definitive production model of the Thunderchief series. The D-model was an all-weather strike fighter bomber, fitted with monopulse and Doppler radar for night or bad weather operations. This radar was capable of terrain avoidance commands. The original weapons bay, designed for nuclear stores, was sealed and fitted with additional fuel tanks. Bombs were carried on multiple weapons racks on the centerline of the fuselage, and on wing pylons. The aircraft was fitted with a retractable in-flight refueling probe. During the Vietnam War, F-105 units operated from bases in Thailand. First flew on June 9 1959, the F-105D entered service with 335th TFS in 1960. The last F-105D was withdrawn from USAF service on July 12, 1980. A total of 610 D Model of the Thunderchief were built. "
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"The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was a single-engine, high-performance, supersonic interceptor aircraft that served with the United States Air Force (USAF) from 1958 until 1967 and continued in service with the Air National Guard until it was phased out in 1975. Because of its physical appearance and performance, the F-104 has often been called the ""missile with a man in it."" The design was a product of the Korean War, and was unique in several respects. The F-104 Starfighter had its first flight on March 4, 1954 and first introduced on February 10, 1958. The F-104C variant was the tactical strike version of the Starfighter. The first F-104C, unofficially designated YF-104C, took off on its maiden flight on July 24, 1958. The F-104C was powered by a General Electric J79-GE-7 engine rated at 10,000 lb.s.t. dry and 15,800 lb.s.t. with afterburner. This thrust was almost a thousand pounds greater than the -3A/3B of the F-104A/B. This increase in power was made possible by increasing the diameter of the turbine by 3 inches. The F-104C was designed mainly for delivery of tactical nuclear weapons, which it could carry on a centerline pylon attachment which had a 2000-pound capacity. It could carry the Mark 28 and Mark 43 nuclear weapons. Although some references claim that a 225 US gallon drop tank could be carried on this centerline pylon, it was exclusively a weapons pylon and was not plumbed to take fuel ports. The Starfighter was the first aircraft to hold simultaneous official world records for speed, altitude and time-to-climb. It set a world altitude record of 103,395 feet on Dec. 14, 1959 and flown by Captain Joe B. Jordan. This was the first time that an aircraft taking off under its own power exceeded the 100,000-foot mark. During the flight, the aircraft also reached a speed of Mach 2.36 and established a time-to-height record to 30,000 meters (98,425 feet) of 15 minutes 4.92 seconds from brake release. "
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"The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. The program began in November 1996 with a 5-year competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing to determine the most capable and affordable preliminary aircraft design. On October 26, 2001, the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 experimental aircraft outperformed Boeing's X-32. The JSF aircraft design has three variants: conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff and vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-based (F-35C). The program's hallmark of affordability is achieved through a high degree of commonality among the variants; 80 percent of the parts are shared. The F-35C naval variant will have a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier landings. The larger wing area provides increased range and payload, with twice the range on internal fuel compared with the F/A-18C Hornet, achieving the same goal as the heavier F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The US Navy intends to buy 480 F-35Cs to replace the Hornets. It will also serve as a stealthier complement to the Super Hornet. The F35C is expected to be available beginning in 2012. "
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"The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. The program began in November 1996 with a 5-year competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing to determine the most capable and affordable preliminary aircraft design. On October 26, 2001, the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 experimental aircraft outperformed Boeing's X-32. The JSF aircraft design has three variants: conventional takeoff and landing (F-35A), short takeoff and vertical landing (F-35B), and carrier-based (F-35C). The program's hallmark of affordability is achieved through a high degree of commonality among the variants; 80 percent of the parts are shared. The F-35C naval variant will have a larger, folding wing and larger control surfaces for improved low-speed control, and stronger landing gear for the stresses of carrier landings. The larger wing area provides increased range and payload, with twice the range on internal fuel compared with the F/A-18C Hornet, achieving the same goal as the heavier F/A-18E/F Super Hornet. The US Navy intends to buy 480 F-35Cs to replace the Hornets. It will also serve as a stealthier complement to the Super Hornet. The F35C is expected to be available beginning in 2012. "
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An STOVL is an acronym for Short Take Off and Vertical Landing. It is an ability of some aircraft like the F35B to take off from a short runway or take off verticalyy if it doesn't have a very heavy payload and land vertically. This is often accomplished on aircraft carriers through the use of "ski-jump" runways, instead of the conventional catapult system. STOVL use tends to allow aircraft to carry a larger payload as compared to during the VTOL use, while still only requiring a short runway.
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"The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force (USAF), Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. The F-35 Lightning II, which is descended from the X-35, has become synonymous with the JSF program. "
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"The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force (USAF), Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. The program began in November 1996 with a 5-year competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing to determine the most capable and affordable preliminary aircraft design. On October 26, 2001, the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 experimental aircraft outperformed Boeing's X-32. The F-35 Lightning II, which descended from the X-35, has become synonymous with the JSF program. It is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter that can perform multiple roles such as close air support, tactical bombing and air-to-air combat. The name Lightning II was officially announced by the USAF on July 7, 2006, in honor of Lockheed's P-38 Lightning and the English Electric Lightning. Expected to be the largest military aircraft procurement ever, the F-35 will replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. While the United States is the primary customer and financial backer of the F-35, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Australia and Turkey have contributed toward the development costs of the program. "
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"The Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a joint, multinational acquisition program for the United States Air Force (USAF), Navy, Marine Corps and eight cooperative international partners. It was created to replace various aircraft while keeping development, production and operating costs down. The objective is to develop a technically superior and affordable fleet of aircraft that would be capable of a wide range of missions in a variety of theaters. The program began in November 1996 with a 5-year competition between Lockheed Martin and Boeing to determine the most capable and affordable preliminary aircraft design. On October 26, 2001, the contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin, whose X-35 experimental aircraft outperformed Boeing's X-32. The F-35 Lightning II, which descended from the X-35, has become synonymous with the JSF program. It is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter that can perform multiple roles such as close air support, tactical bombing and air-to-air combat. The name Lightning II was officially announced by the USAF on July 7, 2006, in honor of Lockheed's P-38 Lightning and the English Electric Lightning. Expected to be the largest military aircraft procurement ever, the F-35 will replace a wide range of aging fighter and strike aircraft. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin, with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. While the United States is the primary customer and financial backer of the F-35, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Italy, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Australia and Turkey have contributed toward the development costs of the program. "
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"The Northrop/McDonnell Douglas YF-23 was a prototype fighter aircraft designed for the United States Air Force. It was entered in the Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) program in the early 1980s, but lost out to the Lockheed YF-22, which entered production as the F-22 Raptor. Two YF-23 prototypes were designed and built by Northrop and McDonnell Douglas as part of the demonstration and evaluation phase of the ATF selection program, which concluded in 1990. One prototype was powered by twin Pratt and Whitney YF119 turbofan engines, while the other was installed with two General Electric YF120 turbofan engines. The YF-23 employed stealth characteristics and was capable of supersonic cruise flight without afterburner. The aircraft achieved a speed of Mach 1.8 during the program. There was no official USAF nickname for the YF-23A, thus the Northrop YF-23A team personnel chose the name “Black Widow II” to commemorate the Northrop P-61 Black Widow, the first American aircraft specifically designed as a night fighter. In April 1991, the Air Force selected Lockheed's YF-22 design for full-scale development. According to the USAF, factors in the selection for production of the F-22 were better design for maintainability, greater potential for future development, and slightly lower cost. Supporters of the YF-23 believe that the YF-23 should have won the ATF competition due to its agility, stealth and greater fuel capacity. "
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"Boeing teamed with Lockheed Martin in the mid-1990s to develop and build the F/A-22, an extremely advanced tactical fighter. It combines stealth, integrated avionics and maneuverability and is intended as a replacement for the F-15 as America's front-line dominance fighter. The first production of F/A-22 was unveiled in April 9, 1997 and it was the first nine flyable F/A-22s built for flight testing. Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Systems is responsible for program management, the integrated forebody (nose section) and forward fuselage (including the cockpit and inlets), leading edges of the wings, the fins and stabilitators, flaps, ailerons, landing gear and final assembly of the aircraft. The company is also responsible for the center fuselage; stores management; integrated navigation and electronic warfare systems; the communications, navigation and identification system and the weapon support system. As of April 2005, Boeing had delivered 61 sets of wings and 66 aft-fuselages, as well as a number of integrated avionics flight-test packages and updates to Lockheed Martin. As a replacement for the F-15C, the fast, agile, stealthy F/A-22 was designed to take over the air superiority role with the Air Combat Command starting in 2005. F-22s demonstrated exceptional performance at joint training exercise Northern Edge in Alaska during June 2006. F-22s also participated in the U.S. Air Force's Red Flag exercise at Nellis AFB, Nevada, for the first time in February 2007 with superb performance in air maneuvers as well as maintenance. Ongoing modernization efforts, including integration of the Small Diameter Bomb, electronic attack capability, synthetic aperture radar and the Coordinate Seeking Weapon, all of which will ensure the Raptor's relevance throughout its 40-year service life. "
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"Manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, the F-18E Super Hornet is a distinct, evolutionary upgrade to the F-18 designed to serve a complementary role with Hornets in the U.S. Navy. The Super Hornet is equipped with all the capability, flexibility and performance necessary to modernize the air or naval aviation forces of any country. The Super Hornet’s suite of integrated and networked systems provides enhanced interoperability and support for ground forces as well as the overall force commander. On July 24, 2002, the first operational cruise of Super Hornet, F 18E, was with VFA-115 onboard the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). The Super Hornet saw initial combat action on Nov. 6, 2002, when they participated in a strike on hostile targets in the ""no-fly"" zone in Iraq. Built by the industry team of Boeing, Northrop Grumman, GE Aircraft Engines, Raytheon and more than 1,800 suppliers nationwide, the Super Hornet provides the warfighter with today’s newest advances in multi-mission capability and growth for decades to come in mission roles and technology. "
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"The F/A-18 Hornet is a modern all-weather carrier-capable strike fighter jet, designed to attack both ground and aerial targets. It was designed in 1970 for service with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. It has been the aerial demonstration aircraft for the Blue Angels since 1986. The F/A-18's primary missions are fighter escort, fleet air defense, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), interdiction, close air support and reconnaissance. Its versatility and reliability have been proven it to be a valuable carrier asset, though it has been criticized due to its lack of range and payload compared to its contemporaries. The F-18, initially known as McDonnell Douglas Model 267, was drastically modified from the YF-17 while retaining the same basic configuration. For carrier operations, the airframe, undercarriage, and arrestor hook were strengthened, folding wings and catapult attachments were added, and the landing gear widened. With redesign of the stores stations and improvements in avionics and multifunction displays, it became possible to combine the A-18A and F-18A into one aircraft. Starting in 1980, the aircraft began being referred to as the F/A-18A, and the designation was officially announced on 1 April 1984. Therefore, F-18 was designated as F/A-18. The Blue Angels first flew three aircraft in formation, then four and currently operate six aircraft per show. The Opposing Solos usually perform maneuvers just under the speed of sound which showcase the capabilities of their individual F/A-18 or F-18 Hornets through the execution of high-speed passes, slow passes, fast rolls, slow rolls and very tight turns. Some of the maneuvers include both solo F-18s performing at once, such as opposing passes (toward each other in what appears to be a collision course, narrowly missing one another) and mirror formations (back-to-back, belly-to-belly, or wingtip-to-wingtip, with one jet flying inverted). On November 8, 1986 the Blue Angels completed their 40th anniversary year during ceremonies unveiling their present aircraft, the sleek McDonnell Douglas F-18 Hornet, the first multi-role fighter/attack aircraft now serving on the nation's front lines of defense since the F-4 Phantom. On December 2, 2004, an accident occurred when pilot Lt. Ted Steelman suffered minor injuries after ejecting from his Blue Angels F-18 approximately one mile off Perdido Key due to mechanical problems and loss of power. The F-18 Hornets has been exported to several nations worldwide."
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"The Thunder Airbirds were the Air Demonstration Squadron of the USAF. The Thunderbirds performed aerobatic formation and solo-flying in specially marked US Jet aircraft. The Squadron was activated, after six months training in unoffficial status on January 1, 1953 as the 3600th Air Demonstration Team based in Arizona. Their debut expedition was flown a week later and began public exhibitions at the 1953 Cheyenne Frontier Days in Cheyenne, Wyoming. By August, the team had flown 26 shows. the first team leader was Major General Dick catledge. the first plane flown by the squadron was the F-84 Thunderjet. The next year, the Thunderbirds performed their first overseas show in South America. the squadron's aircrafts were changed drastically by the years; In 1995, they changed their aircraft to 84-F Thunderstreak; In 1956, they changed it to F-100 superSabre; then the team switched to F-35 Thunderchief after the disbanding of the Skyblazers. The Thunderbirds also faced several disasters and challenges; While practicing the 4 plane diamond loop, four crew members/pilots died and it was due to the pilot's miscalculations. It was then in 1982, that the team switched to F-16A Fighting Falcon. This transition was already under consideration before the Diamond Crash in January 18, 1982. The F-16A was initially equipped with the Westinghouse AN/APG-66 pulse dropper radar, Pratt and Whitney F-100-PW-200, rated at 14,670 lbF (106.0 kN) with afterburner. The USAF bought F-16As with delivery completed in March 1985. The Thunderbirds still continue to fly the F-16 until today. "
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"The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a compact, single-engined jet fighter aircraft manufactured by General Dynamics and later Lockheed Martin for the United States Air Force (USAF). Though designed as a lightweight fighter, it has evolved into a successful multirole aircraft. It is highly maneuverable and has proven its worth in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. The Falcon is the largest Western fighter program with over 4,000 aircraft built since its production in 1976. Though no longer produced for the Air Force, it is still being made for export. Its relatively low cost and high performance has made it popular in the United States and allied nations, serving a total of 24 countries. USAF pilots gave the F-16 the unofficial nickname of “Viper” in homage to the fictional Battlestar Galactica starfighter. From the very beginning, the Falcon was intended to be a cost-effective workhorse that could perform various missions. Advanced aerospace science and proven reliable systems from other planes such as the F-15 and F-111 were integrated into the F-16. These simplified the aircraft and reduced its size, weight, purchase price and maintenance costs. Other innovations include a frameless, bubble canopy for better visibility, a side-mounted control stick to ease control while under high g-forces, and a reclined seat to reduce the effect of g-forces on the pilot. The F-16 has excellent acceleration, being one of the few jets with a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than one. It can also be armed with a wide variety of air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles, rockets or bombs. An all-weather capability allows it to accurately deliver ordnance during non-visual bombing conditions. "
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"The F-15 Eagle is an air superiority fighter type of aircraft. It was manufactured by McDonnell Douglas now known as Boeing IDS. Its maiden flight was on the 27th of July 1972 and was introduced on the 9th of January 1976. Its primary users are the United States Air Force, Israeli Air Force, Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and Royal Saudi Air Force. It was designed and developed as an all-weather tactical. 567 of this type of aircraft are still active. The Air Force was worried about the new aircrafts that were built by the Soviet Union for combat so they issued their own requirements after they rejected the United States Navy VFX program which they think was not suited to their needs. Three companies submitted their proposals and on the 23rd of December 1969 the selection for McDonnell Douglas was announced. The F-15C Eagle was operated by Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. The Israel Air Force has been operating the aircraft since 1977. The Japan Air Self-Defence Force received 203 F-15Js and 20 F-15DJs in 1980 -- two of the F-15Js and twelve F-15DJs were made in United States. The Royal Saudi Air Force operated four squadrons of F-15C/D in 1981. And currently the United States Air Force operates 396 F-15C/Ds while the Air National Guard operates 126 F-15C/Ds in 2006. "
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"The F15-C Eagle was designed by Tim Taylor. It was developed to give air superiority to the US Air Force. It served as the main attack aircraft with performance and brains. The F-15C flew in early 1979. Most F-15Cs were delivered with Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-100 turbofans but they were replaced with more reliable F100-PW-220 engines in 1985. With its updated features it is much more capable as a fighter aircraft. The aircraft is an improved single-seat all-weather air-superiority fighter version of the Eagle models. The systems of the aircraft like its weapons and flight control systems were designed for only one pilot. F-15C aircrafts were deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1991 like the D and E models. This is to give support to the Operation Desert Storm. "
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"The Boeing E-4 Advance Airborne Command Post (Nightwatch), is an aircraft operated by the United States Air Force (USAF) and is specially built to serve as a survivable mobile command post for the National Command Authority, including the President of the United States, the Secretary of Defense and successors. The E-4B evolved form the E-4A, which had been in sevice since late 1974. The first B-model was delivered to the Air Force in January 1980. By 1995, all aircraft were converted to E-4B standard. In August 1994, the E-4B assumed an additional role. The E-4B will support the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) request for assistance when disasters occurs. There are four E-4B currently operated by the United States Air Force and are assigned to the 1st Air Combat Command Control Squadron (1ACCS) of the 55th Wing at United States Strategic Command. The first mission for the aircraft was known as NEACP (National Emergency Airborne Command Post) The E-4B is a militarized version of the Boeing 747-200. It provides approximately triple the floor space of its predecesor, the EC-135 Looking Glass airborne command post. The aircraft has electomagnetic pulse protection, an electrical system designed to support advanced electronics and a wide variety of new communications equipment. Other improvements include nuclear and thermal effects shielding, acoustic control, an improved technical control facility and an upgraded air-conditioning sytem for cooling electrical components. The E-4B still serves as the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) for the National Command Authorities. "
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"The C-17 Globemaster III is a high-wing, T-tailed aircraft with a rear loading ramp manufactured by Boeing Integrated Defense Systems and operated by the USAF, British Royal Air Force, the Royal Australian Air Force and the Canadian Air Command, as well as NATO, who plans to acquire the airlifter. The C-17 was built in Long Beach, California and the first C-17 was declared operational by the USAF on January 1995. In July 2006, Boeing decided to end the C-17A production in 2009 unless they received a follow-on order in sufficient time. Likewise, by 2010, Boeing will begin the C-17B production, which is capable to land on sandy beaches and other areas off-limits to the C-17A. On March 2, 2007, however, Boeing announced the C-17 production line may end in mid-2009 due to lack of additional U.S. government and international orders. As of October 24, 2007, there are a total of 190 C-17s contracted for delivery to the USAF. The C-17 has been involved with numerous operations including the Operation Joint Endeavor and the Allied Operation in Kosovo. In 1998, eight C-17s had flown more than 8,000 nautical miles from the United States to Central Asia, dropping troops and equipment after more than 19 hours in the air. The aircraft completed the longest airdrop mission in history. The C-17 received the Collier Trophy in 1995 for its aeronautical achievement in 1994. The maker of the C-17, the Boeing Airlift and Tanker programs, was also awarded the Malcolm Baldridge National Quality in February 1999 by President Bill Clinton for business excellence and quality."
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"The C-9A Nightingale is an adapted version of DC-9 which was from McDonnell Douglas Aircraft Corporation. It was mainly used for missions like medical and evacuations. The aircraft also transported high ranking government officials on air missions. It demonstrated its distinctiveness and flexibility by serving throughout the world, not only in the military, but also in some civilian hospitals and the Department of Veterans Affairs. In June 17 1968, the first C9A Nightingale was rolled out and distributed in August. The standard crew of the aircraft aboard consisted of a pilot, a co-pilot, two nurses, three technicians and a flying crew chief. It was used in the Pacific Theater and was assigned to the 374th Airlift Wing based in Japan. The C-9A Nightingale was also stationed in Germany."
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"The Boeing E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) is a United States Air Force (USAF) airborne battle management and command and control asset. Its primary role is to provide dedicated support of ground and air theater commanders. The E-8C can respond quickly and effectively to support worldwide military contingency operations, capable of evaluating enemy situation by conducting ground surveillance. It is a jam-resistant system, able to operate despite experiencing heavy electronic countermeasures. The aircraft can stay airborne for 9 hours without refueling. The E-8C was derived from the Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe. It was modified with radar, communications, operations and control subsystems required to perform its mission. The radar and computer subsystems on the E-8C can gather and display broad and detailed battlefield information. Data, including position and tracking information on enemy and friendly ground forces, is collected as events occur. The information is then relayed in near-real time to the US Army's common ground stations. This information is vital in air-to-ground operations and allows air and land commanders to gain and maintain control of the battlespace and execute against enemy forces. As a battle management and command and control platform, the E-8C can support a wide range of roles and missions from peacekeeping operations to major theater war. "
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"Joint STARS uses a sophisticated radar system that can scan an entire region and then send the data to a computer which analyzes movement and alerts reconnaissance specialists of any suspicious activity in near-real time. Operators onboard the aircraft can provide ground and air commanders with command and control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance information on ground-based enemy activities from hundreds of miles away. With the ability to see vehicle movement around the clock and in any weather conditions, the system provides invaluable information to ground and air commanders that allow friendly forces to delay, disrupt and destroy their enemy. The reliability, fuel efficiency and increased operational effectiveness inherent in the engine upgrade translates to increased Joint STARS availability to the warfighter and decreased costs. Replacing all of the engines in the Joint STARS fleet will pay for itself through the reduced operation and maintenance costs of the current engines. The new engines can also provide added power generation for future upgrades to the radar sensor and mission equipment. A recent Air Force study indicated the fleet could stay in service beyond 2050 because of the investment made when the airframes were refurbished during production. The engine upgrade program is based on the Propulsion Pod System incorporating Pratt & Whitney's commercially-proven JT-8D-219 jet engine and Seven Q Seven pylons, thrust reversers, and instrumentation. "
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"The B-52H Stratofortress, manufactured by Boeing, is a strategic bomber capable of supporting large-scale, global missions in a nuclear or a conventional role. The B-52H plays an important role in these specialized missions until 2035. It had its first flight in April 1952. The B-52H Stratofortress entered service in 1961 and 104 were built. The last was delivered in 1962; however, its service life is expected to continue beyond the year 2030, due to extensive system and structural upgrades. The B-52H, a B-52 variant, is a very large aircraft, with a length of 159ft 4in and a take-off weight of 488,000lb. The all-metal skin bears a high proportion of the flight loading. When on the ground, the surface of the aircraft on the forward section of the fuselage has a wrinkled appearance. The skin expands and becomes smooth as the crew compartment is pressurised when the aircraft gains altitude. Later on in the decade, the B-52H was fitted to carry the new ""Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM)"" and ""Joint Stand-Off Weapon (JSOW)"" guided glide bombs. These weapons use the ""Global Positioning System (GPS)"" satellite constellation to zero in on target coordinates. Use of the JDAM and other GPS weapons was enabled by yet another Buff avionics upgrade, the ""Conventional Enhancement Modification (CEM)"" program, which was begun in 1994. "
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"The A-10A Warthog’s official name came from the P-47 Thunderbolt of World War II. Known for its nickname Warthog or Hog, the A-10A aircraft provides airborne forward air control to guard all aircraft against ground targets. The A-10A Warthog aircraft is a single seat twin engine and one of the variants of A-10 aircrafts. Developed by the Fairchild Republic for the United States Air Force, the A-10A Warthog provides close air support of ground forces and attacks tanks, armored vehicles and other ground targets. It is the first US Air Force aircraft designed for CAS use only. The first flight of the A-10A Warthog was on May 10, 1972. The A-10A aircraft has the following weapons: one single General Electric GAU-8/A 30mm, avenger cannon, AGM-65 maverick, AIM-9M sidewinder, conventional low drag and retarded bombs, cluster bombs, the OA/A-10A’s also carry the AN/ ALQ-119 ECM pod or the AN/ALQ-131 ECM. The A-10A Warthog is built around single 300 mm cannon which can disable a main battle tank from 6.580 m distance. Moreover, the A-10A is well armored for the protection of its pilot and systems. The pilot of the A-10A Warthog is shielded by a bullet proof wind screen and encircled by a titanium armor weighing 544 kg and varies in thickness up to 3.8 cm. 144 A-10A Warthog were deployed by the USAF from January to February 1991. The A-10A Warthog was used in various roles such as a daytime tank killer, Scud hunter, suppressed Iraqi air defenses, attacked early warning radars and shot down two Iraqi air defenses. "
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"The EA-6B Prowler, manufactured by Grumman (now Northrop Grumman Aerospace), is a twin-engine, mid-wing aircraft designed as a modification of the basic A-6 Intruder airframe. The EA-6B's primary mission is to protect fleet surface units and other aircraft by jamming hostile radars and communications. The Prowler has the ability to passively detect enemy radars without making its own presence known. The Prowler can carry up to five tactical jamming pods which allow it to effectively degrade enemy radars. The Prowler also carries a High Speed Anti-Radiation Missile (HARM), which provides the capability to destroy enemy radars and the capability to track and destroy radar. The Grumman EA-6B Prowler has a crew of four, a pilot and three Electronic Counter-measures Officers (known as ECMOs). The aircraft is capable of speeds of up to 950 km/h with a range of 1,840 kilometers and powered by two non-afterburning Pratt & Whitney J52-P408 turbojet engines. Since EW operations are very demanding, the Prowler is a high-maintenance aircraft and undergoes frequent equipment upgrades more than any other aircraft in the Navy. There are currently 19 Prowler squadrons in the military: four in the Marines and fifteen in the Navy. There are four ""Expeditionary"" squadrons manned by both Navy and Air Force personnel which deploy to overseas bases as a replacement for the EF-111. The Marine squadrons are stationed at Cherry Point, NC. The Navy has fourteen squadrons based at NAS Whidbey Island, WA, and one permanently deployed in Atsugi, Japan. "
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"The A-4 Skyhawk is an American attack aicraft designed and prosuced by Douglas Aircarft Corporation originally designed for the United States Navy aircraft carriers. In 1951, just after Operation Desert Storm, the United States Marine Corps used the A-4 during the Vietnam War. In May 25, 1972, the Douglas A-4F Skyhawk aircraft of Attack Carrier Wing 21 (CVW-21) are parked on the flight deck of the attack aircraft carrier USS Hancock (CVA-19), armed for a mission over Vietnam. It was the most popular US naval aircraft exports of the post-war era. In 1967, it was removed from front line squadrons, with the last one retiring in 1975. The A-4F Skyhawk has a maximum speed of 585 knots and a range of 1,700 nm and it incorporates a 2 x 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannon, 100 rounds/gun and a 4 x AIM-9 Sidewinder. It has a low-mounted delta , tricycle undercarriage and a dingle turbojet engine in the rear fuselage sides. The tail has a cruciform design, with the horizontal stabilizer mounted above the fuselage. The armament consists of two 20 mm Colt Mk 12 cannon. There's a total of 2,960 A-4 Skyhawks built, including 555 two-seat trainers. "
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"The TA-4J Skyhawk is a two-seat, lightweight, high performance aircraft with a modified delta wing manufactured by the Douglas Aircraft Company of Long Beach, CA. The TA-4J's maiden flight was on December 17, 1968 and first entered service in the mid-1969. TA-4J deliveries were supplemented by conversion of numerous TA-4Fs to the ""J"" designation through removal of ordnance system components. In 1968, a contract was let to produce the TA-4J, a trainer version of the TA-4F. The TA-4J Skyhawk differed from the TA-4F through the removal of tactical weapons system and aerial tanker components and the installation of the J52-P6 engien instead of the higher rated engine J52-P8. The TA-4J is primarily used for training and various other contract duties such as Electronic Warfare, Adversary and Threat Simulation. A total of 277 TA-4Js were built. "
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"During the 1950s, the Strategic Air Command (SAC) identified the requirement for an Airborne Command Post (ABCP). The idea was for specially-equipped aircraft to be airborne at all times, should the SAC's underground command center become inoperable. The first aircraft adapted for the role of ABCP were 17 Boeing KC-135B Stratotankers. The nickname “Looking Glass” was adopted because the mission mirrored ground-based command, control and communications of US strategic nuclear forces. Operations began on February 3, 1961. By 1964, the aircraft was considered dedicated to the ABCP role and redesignated EC-135. The EC-135 Looking Glass was vital to US strategic forces. Its highly trained crew and staff ensured that there was always an aircraft ready to direct bombers and missiles from the air. Members of the battle staff formed seven operational teams and represented all branches of the armed services. When airborne, the staff was under the command of a flag officer, either an Air Force general officer or a Navy admiral. The EC-135 fleet was equipped with comprehensive, high-tech communications equipment, which allowed the airborne commander to link with national command authorities, theatre forces, assets on the ground and other airborne command posts. The Looking Glass was a versatile airframe with excellent airspeed, range and endurance. It was also capable of air refueling which allowed missions to be extended almost indefinitely. This gave the aircraft range to conduct nonstop operations to any location in the world as well. "
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"The Grumman TBF Avenger (designated as TBM by General Motors) was a torpedo bomber developed initially for the United States Navy and Marine Corps and was also used by a large number of air arms around the world. Grumman's first torpedo bomber was the heaviest single-engine plane of WWII and it was the first to feature a new wing-folding mechanism intended to maximize storage space on an aircraft carrier. The Grumman TBF Avenger entered service in 1942 and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. On the afternoon December 7, 1941, Grumman held a ceremony to open a new manufacturing plant and display the new TBF to the public. Ironically, on that day, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor, as Grumman soon found out. The plant was quickly sealed off to ward against possible enemy action. By June 1942, a shipment of more than 100 planes was sent to the Navy. On August 24, 1942, the next major naval battle occurred at the Eastern Solomons. With only the carriers USS Saratoga (CV-3) and Enterprise, the 24 TBFs present were able to sink the Japanese aircraft carrier Ryujo and claim one dive bomber, at the cost of seven planes. After hundreds of the original TBF-1 models were built, the TBF-1C began production. By 1943, Grumman began to slowly phase out production of the Avenger to produce F6F Hellcat fighters, and the Eastern Aircraft Division of General Motors took over, with these aircraft being designated TBM. Starting in mid-1944, the TBM-3 began production with a more powerful powerplant and wing hardpoints for drop tanks and rockets. The dash-3 was the most numerous of the Avengers with about 4,600 produced. However, most of the Avengers in service were dash-1s until near the end of the war in 1945. TBF/TBMs sank the two Japanese ""super battleships"", the Musashi and the Yamato. The Avengers played a major role in the American victory during World War II."
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"The Beechcraft T-34 Mentor is a single engine, military trainer aircraft which was derived from the Beechcraft Model 35 Bonanza. A 15-year production hiatus of the Model 73 Jet Mentor led to the Turboprop era, wherein in 1973, the T-34C Turbine Mentor was a powered by a Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-25 turboprop engine. From the late 1940s to the 1950s, earlier versions of the T-34s were piston-engined and it was eventually succeeded by an upgraded model with a turboprop engine. The T-34C Turbo Mentor is a variant of the T-34, with a two-seat primary trainer fitted with turboprop engines. The T-34C was used by the Argentine Navy during the Falklands War. It was a primary trainer aircraft for the United States Navy and Marine Corps pilots. The T-34C was replaced by the T-6 Texan II but it was still considered as the primary aircraft at NAS Corpus Christi and NAS Whiting Field. The T-34C has a crew of two. It has a maximum speed of 280 kt IAS and a range of 600 nm."
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"The T-6A Texan II is designed by Pilatus Aircraft AG and manufactured by Raytheon Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas, USA. The T-6A Texan II is a single-engine, two-seat primary trainer aircraft, which is designed to train Joint Primary Pilot Training, or JPPT, students in basic flying skills common to U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots. The T-6A Texan II offers better performance and significant improvements in training effectiveness, safety, cockpit accommodations and operational capabilities than present aircraft. Powered by a single, Pratt & Whitney PT6A-68 turboprop engine with a four-blade propeller, it features a stepped-tandem, and cockpit configuration, with the instructor's rear seat rose slightly to improve visibility from the rear cockpit; modern avionics; and improved egress systems. Both T-6A cockpits are covered by a single, side-opening, non-jettisoned canopy. The T-6A offers increased bird strike protection over current training aircraft, and will improve the safety of landing and low-level training at Air Force and Navy bases. It has a pressurized cockpit to permit training at higher, less-congested altitudes and reduce the stress on student pilots. The aircraft is equipped with an onboard oxygen-generating system that reduces the time needed to service the aircraft between flights. The T-6A provides the highest degree of flexibility of any primary trainer. It is equally capable of training the beginner pilot or performing training missions well into an advanced training curriculum. The T-6A is currently used by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, the Hellenic Air Force of Greece and the NATO Flying Training in Canada program as a primary trainer and weapons and navigation trainer. "
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"The Spad S. XIII is a French biplane fighter aircraft of World War II, developed from the earlier highly successful SPAD S. VII. The S. VII had been surpassed by the latest German scouts. SPAD designer Louis Bechereau initially produced the S. XII, though it had limited success which eventually led to the development of the S. XIII. The SPAD XIII's maiden flight was on April 4, 1917, and was delivered the following month to the French Air Service. The Spad XIII was flown by famous French fighter pilots such as Georges Guynemer and Rene Fonck. Italy's Francesco Baracca and the United States Army Air Service's Eddie Rickenbacker, also became leading aces with 34 and 26 confirmed victories, respectively. The SPAD XIII differed form its predecessor since it incorporates a number of aerodynamic and other refinements, including a more powerful Hispano-Suiza engine and a second VIckers .303-cal. machine gun for added firepower. The improvements greatly increased its flight and combat performance. It was also faster than its main contemporaries. The SPAD XIII has a maximum speed of 218 km/h and has an armament of 2 x .303-cal. (7.7-mm) Vickers machine guns. The SPAD XIII was one of the most capable fighters of the war and one of the most produced. There were 8,472 built and orders for around 10,000 more cancelled at the Armistice."
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"The Fairchild PT-19 was a monoplane trainer aircraft that served with the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF), British Royal Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force during World War II. It was used by the USAAF during the primary flying training phase as the introductory pre-solo trainer for new pilots before passing them on to the more agile Kaydet biplane. Prior to World War II, basic flight training in the United States was generally provided in light biplanes, such as the Kaydet, which tended to be slow, stable and tolerant of fledgling pilots. However, given the increasingly high performance nature of the world's combat aircraft, the USAAF reasoned that the primary training was too easy, giving the student a false sense of mastery that could slow down his learning or even cause him to fail. Experienced instructors wanted the primary trainer to be a monoplane, with higher wing loading that required more careful flying. After its first flight in May 1939, the Fairchild M-62 two-seat monoplane won a fly-off competition later that year against 17 other designs for the new Army training airplane. With a wing loading factor about 43 percent higher than the Kaydet, the M-62 had a higher stalling speed and required more care at low speeds, making it exactly what the Army was looking for. It was a trainer that was more similar to the fighter aircraft the trainees would eventually fly. On September 22, 1939, the USAAF ordered 270 of the craft, with two open cockpits, as the PT-19 Cornell. Compared to the earlier biplane trainers, the PT-19 provided a more advanced type of aircraft. Speeds were higher and its flight characteristics demanded more precision and care. It was inexpensive and simple to maintain. It was one of a handful of primary trainer designs that were the first stop on a cadet's way to becoming a combat pilot. Thousands of the PT-19 series were rapidly integrated into the US and Commonwealth training programs, serving throughout World War II and beyond. Even after their retirement in the late 1940s, a substantial number found their way into civilian hands. Approximately 100 PT-19s are still flyable today. "
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"The Stearman Model 75 is a biplane, military trainer aircraft with 8,854 built in the United States during the 1930s and 1940s. It is perhaps the most famous biplane in the US since it was the primary basic trainer throughout World War II. The PT-17 Stearman is a variant of the Stearman 75, with a Continental R-670 engine. The PT-17 has a crew of two, for a student and an instructor. It has a maximum speed of 124 mph and a range of 505 mi. During the war, almost all American pilots undeertook basic training on either the PT-13s or the PT-17s. The PT-17 was exported to Canada as the Kaydet, Britain and other nations. After the war, the aircraft's rugged construction and good low speed handling saw large numbers converted for agricultural spraying work. Conversions involved the replacement of the aircraft's fabric covering with metal, while many were fitted with more powerful 335kW P&W R985A61 radials. There are hundreds of Stearmans which were currently flown in private hands, although its not used for crop spraying any more. "
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"The Martin PBM Mariner was a United States Navy patrol bomber flying boat of World War II and the early Cold War period. It was designed to compliment the PBY Catalina in service. 1,285 PBM Mariner were built, with the first example flying on February 18, 1939 and the type entering service in September 1940. The U.S. Navy Martin PBM-5 Mariner patrol bomber Bureau of Aeronautics (Bureau Number 59172) was one of the 1,367 PBM Mariners constructed by Navy Martin. It was delivered to the Navy in January 1945. During the World War II and Cold War eras, the PBM-5 Mariner was in service with various Navy units in a number of capacities. Its last operational assignment was Naval Air station, Seattle, Washington in late 1948. The PBM-5 Mariner was wrecked on May 6, 1949 while being ferried across Lake Washington from Naval Air Station, Seattle to the Boeing seaplane ramp at Renton, Washington, where it was intended to be placed in storage. As of today, the wreck of PBM-5 Mariner remains where the aircraft came to rest in 1949, in the Southernmost end of Lake Washington, in the vicinity of Renton, just off the old seaplane ramp at the Boeing plant. The PBM-5a is an amphibian plane with retractable landing gear. The aircraft was fitted with five gun turrets and bomb bays that were in the engine nacelles. The British Royal Airforce acquired 32 Mariners. They were not used operationally and some were returned to the United States Navy and twelve were transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force for transporting troops and cargo. The Dutch Navy acquired seventeen PBM-5a Mariners at the end of 1955 for service in former Dutch New Guinea. "
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"The P-51D Mustang was the most widely produced variant. It was equipped with an Aeroproducts propeller in place of the Hamilton Standard propeller, as well as a larger, differently configured canopy and other minor alterations. The P-51D Mustang has a crew of 1. It has a maximum speed of 437 mph and a range of 1,650 mi. It has armament of 6 0.50 in machine guns, 2 hardpoints and 10 in rockets. More famous as the first person to fly faster than the speed of sound than his wartime achievements, Chuck Yeager became an Ace in Europe flying a P-51. After he was promoted to captain, he added 1 Me-262 and 4 Fw-190s for a total of 11 career victories. "
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"The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is a long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that served with Allied forces in the middle years of World War II, becoming one of the conflict's most effective and recognizable aircraft. The P-51 flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany to help ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. In late 1939, with the likelihood of full scale war in Europe a major concern, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was looking for methods of quickly increasing its fighter strength. In April 1940, the British Air Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation with the intent of having them build P-40s for the RAF. Since the P-40 design went back to 1933, James H. ""Dutch"" Kendelberger, president of North American, offered to build an entirely new advanced fighter. The British agreed and the P-51 took its maiden flight on October 26, 1940. As well as being economical to produce, the Mustang was a fast, well-made and highly durable aircraft. It also saw combat against the Japanese in the Pacific War. During the Korean War, the P-51 started out as the United Nations' main fighter, but was relegated to a ground attack role when it was supplanted by jet fighters early in the conflict. One of the very few fighter pilots in World War II to achieve ace status in both the Pacific and European theaters, Colonel John Landers flew the P-51D Mustang named ""Big Beautiful Doll"". His reputable flying career was concluded with 14.5 victories, 4.5 of which and an additional 20 ground victories were achieved in the Mustang. Big Beautiful Doll was one of the most colourfully painted P-51s of the era. "
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"The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang is a long-range, single-seat fighter aircraft that served with Allied forces in the middle years of World War II, becoming one of the conflict's most effective and recognizable aircraft. The P-51 flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany to help ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. In late 1939, with the likelihood of full scale war in Europe a major concern, the British Royal Air Force (RAF) was looking for methods of quickly increasing its fighter strength. In April 1940, the British Air Purchasing Commission approached North American Aviation with the intent of having them build P-40s for the RAF. Since the P-40 design went back to 1933, James H. “Dutch” Kendelberger, president of North American, offered to build an entirely new advanced fighter. As well as being economical to produce, the Mustang was a fast, well-made and highly durable aircraft. The British agreed and the P-51 took its maiden flight on October 26, 1940. The P-51D variant is considered the definitive Mustang. Ordered in 1943, it had a bubble canopy which provided the pilot with a valuable all-around view. It was also fitted with additional armament. The P-51D became the most widely produced version. Between 1941 and 1945, the US Army Air Force ordered 14,855 aircraft, 7,956 of which were P-51Ds. During the Korean War, the P-51D was used primarily for close support of ground forces until withdrawn from combat in1953. "
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"The P-51D Mustang Old Crow was an American fighter aircraft which was most widely produced by Mustang. The P-51D was equipped with a larger canopy and an aero products propeller to replace the Hamilton Standard propeller. The Old Crow arrived in Europe in mid 1944 and quickly became the primary USAAF fighter in the theater. In the same year, 1944, Captain Clarence “Bud†Anderson returned to the 375th Fighter Group for a second combat tour. He was assigned a new P-51D Old Crow in the dark green mask. Captain Bud was on a mission when the first drop of snow in Germany fell. Thus he noted a mixed flight of dark green and silver aluminum Mustangs below him. After his mission, he told his ground crew that the one painted the dark green stood out against the snow background and silver ones appeared to the have the best camouflage. Because of that Bud suggested to paint the Old Crow silver color the next time it was down for heavy maintenance. The next morning, Captain Bud arrived at the station to find his P-51D Old Crow to use for his mission. To his surprise he found the Old Crow in a gleaming aluminum paint scheme ready for flight. Three members of his crew worked on it through the night scrapping, rubbing and remarking. They were all tired and their hands were raw due to the cold and solvents they used. The change made to P-51D Old Crow was dedicated to Bud Anderson and all 357th crew chief and ground support personnel who maintained the P-51 Mustang during World War II. Signed by Col. Clarence ""Bud"" Anderson."
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"The P-40E Warhawk is the identical version of the P-40D. The only difference is the six wing-mounted machine guns. The P-40 aircrafts series were America’s leading fighters as World War II began. The P-40 E was engaged in the battle against Japanese aircrafts during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the incursion of the Philippines on December 1941. The Flying Tigers group used the P-40E as it fulfilled its missions in China in 1942. On the other hand, the Army Air Forces used the P-40E in North Africa in 1943. As for the P-40E Warhawk, the general characteristics are as follows: Its primary function was being a fighter. Its span is 37 feet 4 inches, length is 31 feet 9 inches, height is 12 feet 4 inches and weight is 9,100 pounds loaded. For the service ceiling, it is 30,000 feet. Its maximum speed is 362 mph, cruising speed is 235 mph, and range is 850 miles. The P-40E armament had six 50-cal machine guns which are 700 pounds of bombs externally. The P-40E Warhawk was used in copious combat areas specifically, Aleutian Islands, Italy, Middle East, Far East, Southwest Pacific and Russia. Despite being outclassed by its competitors on speed, the P-40E gained its reputation in battles for its great ruggedness. At the end of the P-40s series career, 2,320 P-40E were produced. "
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"The Super Elite P-40B Warhawk was one of the planes used by an American Volunteer Group known as the “Flying Tigersâ€. The group consisted of United States Army Forces, United States Navy and Unites States Marine Corps. Under a secret presidential sanction, the pilots of the said group were recruited by Claire Chennault. They formed a fighter group with three squadrons that were trained in China. The said group defended Burma supply line to China. This happened before the American entered World War II to fight against Japan. The P-40B Warhawk was managed and obtain by Chennault as it was in production for British and Americans. The major difference between the P-40B Warhawk and Tomahawk –IIB is the P-40B had an exterior fuel tank membrane while the Tomahawk had an interior membrane which is more effective for fuel tanks leaks. The P-40B was purchased without gun sights, radios and wing guns. As a result, there was a continual difficulty for the AVG in Burma and China. On the other hand, the good qualities of the Warhawk included the pilot armor, self sealing fuel tanks, sturdy construction, heavy armament and a diving speed that’s faster than most Japanese planes. In the year 1941, one hundred P40B aircrafts were sent to Burma on third country freighters packed in crates. At Ragoon, the Warhawk was assembled and test flown by a personnel of the Central Aircraft Manufacturing Company before they delivered it to the AVG training unit. The P-40B was the first fighter flown in action against the Japanese forces in Burma on March 13, 1941 before the US entered World War II. The Warhawk also played a vital role in the middle stages of World War II."
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"The Bell P-39 Airacobra was an all-metal, low-wing, single-engine fighter that entered service at the start of World War II. Manufactured by Bell Aircraft Corporation, the P-39 was flown by Robert Goebel and Bud Anderson in April 1939. The P-39 Airacobra had a tricycle landing gear, which was the first such gear ever used on a production fighter. The Airacobra battled throughout the world, particularly in the Southwest Pacific, Mediterranean and Russian theaters. Because its engine was not equipped with a supercharger, the P-39 performed best below 17,000 feet (5,200 m) altitude. It often was used at lower altitudes for such missions as ground strafing. Same with the P-63 Kingcobra, the P-39 aircraft was considered to be the most victorious mass-produced, fixed-wing aircraft manufactured by Bell Aircraft Corporation. Primarily used by the U.S Army Air Force, over 9,500 P-39s built. The P-39D variant of the Aircobra has maximum speed of 368 mph (592 km/h) @ 12,000 ft (3,658 m), a service ceiling of 32,100 ft (9,784 m) and a range of 1,545 miles (2,486 km). The first P-39D Airacobras entered service with the USAAC in February 1941, first with the 31th Pursuit Group (39th, 40th, and 41st Pursuit Squadrons) based at Selfridge Field, Michigan. Between February 12 and March 21, 1941, 27 USAAC pilots flew three P-39Ds over 160 accelerated service test hours at Patterson Field in Osborne, Ohio. In March of 1941, Bell's test pilot Vance Breese drove an Airacobra 15,000 feet to pass the final Army Air Corps test. The 39th PS participated in the ""Carolina Maneuvers"" from September to November of 1941, which was a series of war games during which five different squadrons flew Airacobras. The P-39D (along with the P-400) was the first to see combat in US service. A total of 1,767 P-39D built. "
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"The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft. The P-38 was used most extensively and successfully in the Pacific Theater of Operations and the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, where it was flown by the American pilots with the highest number of aerial victories to this date. America's top ace Richard Bong earned 40 victories (in a lightning he called Marge) and Thomas McGuire scored 38 (in Pudgy). The P-38 Lightning was designed in 1937 as a high-altitude interceptor. The P-38 was the only American fighter aircraft in active production throughout the duration of American involvement in the war, from Pearl Harbor to VJ Day. The P-38 introduced a new dimension to American fighters - a second engine. The multi-engine configuration reduced the Lightning loss rate to anti-aircraft gunfire during ground attack missions. As with any long-term production aircraft, the P-38 underwent many modifications. The fastest of the modifications was the P-38J with a top speed of 420 mph and the version produced in the greatest quantity was the ""L,"" of which 3,735 were built by Lockheed and 113 by Vultee. The P-38M was a two-seat radar-equipped night fighter, a few of which had become operational before the war ended. The P-38 was the Army's fastest and most heavily armed fighter. The concentration of firepower in the Lightning's nose was so effective that a one-second burst could destroy an enemy plane. In the Pacific Theater, Lightning pilots downed more Japanese aircraft than pilots flying any other allied plane. By the end of production in 1945, 9,923 P-38s had been built. Only 27 of the aircraft exist today."
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"The P-3 Orion is an American aircraft used for maritime patrol, reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare manufactured by Lockheed. The P-3 Orion was originally designated as P3V based on the Lockheed L-188 Electra and served as replacement for the postwar era P-2 Neptune. The first production version of the P-3 was designated as P-3V-1 and its maiden flight was on April 15, 1961. Many variants of the P-3 Orion was developed. The Orion has four turboprops, giving it a speed comparable to fast propeller powered fighters and slow turbofan jets such as the A-10. The P-3 was also designed to compete with the British Nimrod. It has an internal bomb bay under the front fuselage and underwing stations, carrying missiles such as the AGM-84 Harpoon, having a long stinger in the tail which houses the magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) and convex windows for observation. The primary users and operators of the P-3 Orion are the United States Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Australian Air Force and the Republic of Korea Navy. Civilian agencies also operates a number of P-3s and have been N-registered. "
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"The last OV-1 Mohawk was built in 1970 after a ten-year production run. In Vietnam they were used for photo reconnaissance, and infra red surveillance. "
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"Joe Foss was the first to Marine become an ace in a day. A recipient of the Medal of Honor and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Joe was the highest scoring Marine ace with 26 victories while flying an F4F Wildcat with VMF-121. The F4F Wildcat was one of the first monoplanes to fly from United States carrier decks. It was manufactured by Grumman and its primary users were the United States Navy, the United States Marine Corps, and the Fleet Air Arm. F4F Wildcat maiden flight was on the 2nd of September 1937 but it was introduced as an American carrier-based fighter in 1940s. The Grumman F4F Wildcat naval fighter became most successful in the hands of Joe Foss. Joe Foss was one of the heroes in the Battle of Guadalcanal as he became an executive officer in the Cactus Air Force. He led a flight of eight Wildcats known as Foss’s Flying Circus and though his own plane had been hit, he still took down a Japanese Zero. He later left Guadalcanal in 1943. His Flying Circus shot down 72 Japanese aircrafts of which 26 was credited to him. In 1943, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Medal of Honor at the White House for being America’s Ace of Aces. The Grumman F4F Wildcat was designed to meet the requirements of the US Navy in 1936 for a new carrier-based fighter. It was planned by the designers for more challenging take-offs and landings. F4F Wildcat large wings helped the plane to achieve higher levels, make slow landings, and be operated with great maneuverability. "
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"The MC-130H Combat Talon II was operated by the United States Air Force. It was designed in the early 1990s. Its role was to provide infiltration, exfiltration, and re-supply special operations forces and equipment in different territories. They were also used in psychological operations support and helicopter refueling. The Combat Talon I had been operational since the Vietnam War while Combat Talon II became active in 1990. The Combat Talon II was designed to replace Combat Talon I in 1990s following the Gulf War. Its features are stronger compared to the Combat Talon I. With its new technology, such as special radars and night vision capability, the aircraft can fly as low as 250 feet. The Combat Talon II is said to be used for the first time in Liberia to assist the evacuation of two thousand civilians. The MC-130H Combat Talon II’s mission was to help day and night and even in bad weathers as airdrop for equipments, personnel and some special operations such as evacuation missions. In April 1996, the MC-130H Combat Talon II from the 7th Special Operations units in United Kingdom entered the service in Liberia for the Operation Assured Response. This was the first combat operation of the aircraft. Troops from the Royal Air Force rescued more than 2,000 citizens from Monrovia following four days of extreme combating by rival armed forces. Similar conditions took by the Combat Talon II in 1997 in Zaire. In the end of that year, Combat Talon II assignments brought commando troops in Cambodia. In June 10, 1997, the war in the capital of Congo rage where a Combat Talon II aircrew got the Mackay Trophy for an embassy evacuation. The crew saved 30 Americans and 26 foreign nationals. The Air Force used the MC-130H to bring an American military assessment troops and evacuated 56 people from Brazzaville. The 7th Special Operations Squadron placed a European Command survey, assessment squad and vehicles for support. The team was composed of logistics, communications, security and specialists that performed infrastructure evaluations and calculated the need for additional European Command support to the United States Embassy in Brazzaville. Over 900 feet of hoses were placed for refilling of fuels of two helicopters. The plane was in blackout form that is why they were using Night Vision Goggles for them to see. "
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"Bockscar is a USAF B-29 bomber that dropped the “Fat Man” nuclear weapon over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, the second atomic weapon used against Japan. “Bockscar” is a pun on “boxcar” after the name of its aircraft commander, Captain Frederick C. Bock. Bockscar was built at the Glenn L. Martin Aircraft Plant at Omaha, Nebraska, as a Block 35 aircraft. It was one of ten modified as a Silverplate and redesignated Block 36. Delivered on March 19, 1945 to the USAF, it was assigned to Captain Frederick C. Bock and crew C-13. Bockscar was also used in 13 training and practice missions from Tinian, and three combat missions in which it dropped pumpkin bombs on industrial targets in Japan. B29 aircraft is now on permanent display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. "
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"The North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber was used by many Allied air forces in every theater of World War II and by many other air forces after the war ended, seeing service across four decades. It is named after General Billy Mitchell, a pioneer of US military aviation. Although the B-25 was originally designed to bomb from medium altitudes in level flight, it was used frequently in the Southwest Pacific theater on treetop-level strafing and parachute-retarded fragmentation bombs missions against Japanese airfields in New Guinea and the Philippines. These heavily-armed, field-modified aircraft were used on strafing and skip-bombing missions against Japanese shipping trying to resupply their land-based armies as well. Mitchells were also responsible for devastating effects in the Central Pacific, Alaska, Mediterranean, North Africa and China-Burma-India theaters. After the war, many B-25s were employed as training aircraft. They were also used as staff transport, utility and navigator-trainer aircraft. The last B-25, a VIP transport, was retired from the USAF on May 21, 1960. Some are still flying today, most as warbirds. Signed by Richard E. Cole, 2nd Lt., Jimmy Doolitte's Copilot on plane #1"
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"The Tondelayo was one of three B-25Ds that sunk a 6,000-ton freighter in the South Pacific during World War II. Its story was unique in the fact that During the battle, the Tondelayo's engine was shot out and for over an hour it combated 50 Japanese fighter planes as it headed down the New Britain coast. The other two accompanying B-25s were shot down during the battle. The plane's turret gunner was given credit for shooting down five Japanese fighters and the crew earned the Distinguished Unit Citation and Silver Stars. Despite tremendous damage ""Tondelayo"" was returned to service after it was repaired... like a phoenix rising from the ashes. "
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"The North American B-25J Mitchell was an American twin-engined medium bomber developed by the North American Aviation. The aircraft was used with devastating effect against German and Japanese targets in every battle scenario of World War II. The B-25J Mitchell was named General Billy Mitchell, an American general known as one of the most famous pilots in American airpower history. He was called the Father of the U.S. Air Force. The B-25 Mitchell took its first flight on August 19, 1940. It is powered by two Wright R-2600-9 Cyclone engines which delivered an amount of 3,400 horsepower. The aircraft's highest speed is 355 mph. The original airplane had difficulties during bombing runs, so the dihedral in the outer wing panels was eliminated on the 10th B-25 version onwards. The B-25J has 4,318 units. It is considered to be the most widely produced version of the Mitchell. The B-25 saw many modifications during its operating service. The series ran from the B-25A to B-25J, each type seeing variations to increase its firepower. The first 25 were armed with a. 30-caliber Browning in the nose and one at each waist position. For security, the tail of the aircraft sported a .50-caliber Browning. A Plexiglas nose and a turret gunner originated with the B-25B. The B-25G also had a retractable belly turret. "
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"The Boeing B-17 Fortress is a long range heavy bomber. The B-17G has a defensive firepower of not less than thirteen 0.50-inch machine guns, two chin guns, two guns in the dorsal turret, two guns in the ventral turret, two guns in the waist, two guns in the tail and one gun in the roof of the radio operator's position. The B-17 has a maximum speed of 472 km/h. The B-17 has crew of six to ten. It incorporates four 1,200 h.p. Wright R-1820-97 nine-cylinder radial air-cooled engines with General Electric Type B-22 exhaust-driven turbo-superchargers. In July 1943, the B-17G was introduced to Fortress production line and was produced in large numbers than any other Fortress variant. B-17G entered service with the Eighth and Fifteenth Air Forces in late 1943. In 1945, when the production of B-17G ceased , there's a total of 4,035 B-17Gs built. "
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* Stars of today!
* Collect them all!
This impressive lineup will please any collector of America's favorite pastime. MLB Series 27 features some of the best players of Major League Baseball today. 6-inch scale. The case of 8 pieces may include the following players (Subject to change):
1x Albert Pujols 4 (St. Louis Cardinals)
1x Chase Utley 2 (Philadelphia Phillies)
1x Derek Jeter 5 (New York Yankees)
1x Dustin Pedroia 2 (Boston Red Sox)
1x Joe Mauer 2 (Minnesota Twins)
1x Tim Lincecum (San Francisco Giants)
1x Curtis Granderson (New York Yankees)
1x Random Collector Level figure
Please note: this item may have variants randomly inserted throughout the production run. We are unable to accept requests for specific variants.
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Preorder for zack ryder from deluxe aggression 17 due out in november.
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This listing is a for a preorder figure of jamie noble. This is due out in late august/early september.Prototype images shown are subject to differ from final product on rare occasions.
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This listing is a for a preorder figure of batista. This is due out in late august/early september.Prototype images shown are subject to differ from final product on rare occasions.
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This listing is a for a preorder figure of the miz. This is due out in late august/early september.Prototype images shown are subject to differ from final product on rare occasions.
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