The only surviving example of the eight Sparrowhawks built and designed to be launched and recovered from the USN Airships 'Akron' and 'Macon' by trapeze mechanism, this is actually XF9C-2 Bu.Aer A9264

After 20 years in storage at Dulles Airport, the NASM began restoration of C-121C in May 2007 for display at the museum's Udvar-Hazy Center.

The first XV-15 made its initial flight in 5.77. N703NA was the second, used for tests to support the V-22 Osprey military and Bell/Agusta BA609 civilian tiltrotor programmes until retirement in 2003

An irresistible motive at Udvar-Hazy.

This P-61 was donated to the National Air Museum (as it was then known) as early as 1950, after five years of test work. However, NACA soon asked to borrow it for high-altitude experimental work. After about 50 flights as a mothership, dropping recoverable swept-wing test bodies, it was returned in 1954 to museum storage. Some 52 years later, it was unveiled for display in original test markings

Accepted by the USN as an F-4J in 12.70, first assigned to VF-31 and whilst with that squadron, on 21.6.72 shot down a MiG-21 off the Vietnamese coast. Later served VF-33, VF-74, VF-103 and VF-171 before upgarde to F-4S at North Island in 1983. Assigned to VMFAT-101 then VMFA-232 at Kaneohe Bay, HI. Wfu and flown to Dulles on 29.11.88 for the NASM

First flown in 1947 the S-52 was not a huge success - only 97 examples were built.

The only surviving example of the world's first jet bomber. The aircraft carries Walter rocket-assisted take-off bottles on the outer wings.

This Peashooter was obtained from Guatemala where it apparently served until 1954.

The M6A1 Seiran was designed to emerge from large I-400 class submarines to bomb the locks in the Panama Canal. It never happened. This one received US Navy tail number 47 after capture. Note the Nakajima Kikka jet fighter, inspired by the Me 262, in the background.