The Twin Bee is a twin engine conversion of the Republic RC-3 Seabee built by United Consultant Corporation, later known as the STOL Aircraft Corporation of Norwood, Massachusetts.

Delivered to USAF in January 1963, remaining in service until at least 2003.

With an impressive backdrop, here is the third prototype of Northrop's N-156F design for a simple and affordable Military Assistance Program export fighter, first flying on 31.7.63. A total of 799 were built, followed by 1166 of the more capable F-5E Tiger II. Now displayed in phoney camouflage as 64-13332 to represent a 'Shoksi Tiger' of the 4503rd TFS, which combat tested the type in Vietnam in the mid-60s

Busy night scene at La Guardia as North Central's ship no. 906 is turned round. This aircraft was never re-sold, NC being absorbed into Republic in 7.79, in turn merged with Northwest in 10.86. Last service 7.1.05; ferried to Marana next day for storage in old NW c/s

"Fly me, I'm Bonnie". Received in 4.69, this 727 was taken over by Pan Am in 1.80 and leased by Braniff in 1.92. Wfu at MIA in blue c/s in late '92 and broken up at Tucson a year later

Civilian registered as NL63004 after WWII and advertised as a 6-seat executive conversion in 1952. Acquired by the USAFM in 1961 and nowadays displayed indoors, painted to represent 43-21475 "Little Joe"

North American's B-45 was the first jet bomber for the USAF, serving SAC from 1950 till 1959, but quickly superseded in the nuclear role during the early 50s by the B-47 Stratojet. A total of 143 were built, most 'C' models being completed as RB-45C reconnaissance aircraft, although this example was used latterly by Pratt & Whitney for engine testing, being flown to the Museum in 1971. Now housed inside in the marks of 47th BW (Light), which based B-45s at RAF Sculthorpe from 1952-58

Used as a test bed at Wright-Patterson AFB under the designation JB-47E in the 1960s, this was the first USAF aircraft with a fly-by-wire control system. Added to the Museum in 1969 and displayed until 2003, latterly inside, when replaced by RB-47H 53-4299. Now stored outside the Museum's Restoration Hangar

While developing the XP-84, Republic looked at installing rockets in fighters, inspired by late wartime German research. However the resulting XP-91 was quickly obsolete thanks to the rapidly increasing performance of newer jet engines and only two prototypes were built, although one was the first US fighter to exceed Mach 1 in level flight. An unusual feature was the wing planform, markedly tapered outwards from the fuselage to a wide chord at the wingtips to combat stall problems with early swept-wing designs

Pulling up from LGA's r/w 04 with the smog of New York hanging in the background, this 727 served Northwest from 11.64 to 5.77 when sold to PSA as N973PS. Leased to Mexicana as XA-MEN for two years from 9.80 and back to Northwest after return, reverting to original reg in 1.84. Donated to Wentworth Inst Tech 9.92 and grounded at Hanscom Field, MA as a training aid

New to ONA 10.67 and sold on to Evergreen in 10.76, this convertible freighter has been with Airborne Express since late 1981, becoming N905AX. Taken from my hotel during a visit to the USAFM

The proposed fleet of B-70 deep penetration nuclear bombers was cancelled in 1961 due to high costs and the introduction of ICBMs, but two prototypes of this awesome six-engined Mach 3 beauty were used in supersonic test flights from 1964 to 1969. One crashed following a midair collision with an F-104 while filming in 1966, the other became an outstanding exhibit at the USAFM, arriving on 4.2.69. One of the most memorable sights of my first visit to the USA

This Voodoo was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB for ejection seat tests from July 1960 until its retirement to the Air Force Museum in 1970. It was displayed there till moved to the Yankee Air Museum in Michigan during the 1980s