Built as a F-104C-5-LO by Lockheed at Burbank, this Starfighter was based at George AFB with the 435th TFS/479th TFW, but in October 1965 operated from Da Nang, S Vietnam, escorting EC-121Ds over the Gulf of Tonkin. Soon moving to Kung Kuan AB, Taiwan, the unit returned to George that December. For a year from mid-1966 it deployed to Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, attached to the 8th TFW for F-105 escort. One of the first F-104s to be painted in camouflage, it also saw visits to W Germany and Spain. Transferring to the 198th TFW, Puerto Rico ANG by 1971, it was ferried to the USAFM in August 1975

Conceived as the solution to provide fighter escort protection for heavy bombers, the XF-85 was the first and only aircraft designed as a parasite fighter to be launched by a trapeze mechanism from the bomb bay of the Convair B-36 and Northrop's planned B-35 flying wing. McDonnell built two prototypes in 1947 which were tested under a B-29, but great difficulties were encountered in attempting to dock the Goblin back to the mothership, requiring a very skilled pilot. With improvements to air-to-air refuelling, docking problems and superior Soviet opposition, the program was abandoned in 1949

Flight testing of the X-4 Bantam began in 1948, the design having been inspired by German WWII research and developments, with both examples constructed being passed to the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) in 1950. The first X-4 was grounded after only 10 flights and the second (seen here) was used in the joint USAF/NACA program which ended in 1953. Instability at high speed led to the conclusion that semi-tailless aircraft were not suitable for transonic flight with the technology then available. It now hangs in the fascinating Research & Development Gallery

In February 1973 this was the first aircraft to land in Hanoi to collect and repatriate American POWs, earning it the nickname "Hanoi Taxi". Around 1980 it underwent the stretch converting it to C-141B status. In May 2006 it gained further distinction by carrying out the final flight of a Starlifter in USAF service when delivered to Wright-Patterson for the NMUSAF

This F-101B on display in the NMUSAF's Cold War Gallery served with the 18th FIS, Grand Forks AFB, ND, and the 142nd FIG, Oregon ANG at Portland. It was flown to the museum in February 1981

This was one of two Bell Model 47J Rangers purchased in 1957 for use by President Eisenhower. While it was usually the other (57-2729) that flew the President, this one carried his physician and a Secret Service agent. In March 1962 it was removed from presidential service but was employed to carry high-ranking Department of Defense personnel and several foreign dignitaries till retired to the museum in July 1967 where it is now displayed the the fourth building's Presidential Gallery

This was a one-off King Air with VIP interior and a high specification purchased from Beechcraft to transport President Lyndon B Johnson and family between Bergstrom AFB, TX and their ranch near Johnson City. After leaving presidential service, it continued to operate as an executive transport with the 89th MAW at Andrews AFB until it was retired to the museum in September 1985

Built in 1959 and first with the 27th FIS at Loring AFB, ME then the 94th FIS, Selfridge AFB, MI and from 1969 the 71st FIS (ADC) at Malmstrom AFB, MT. On a flight from here in Feb 1970 '787 gained fame when it entered an uncontrollable flat spin, forcing the pilot to eject. The aircraft recovered on its own and made a gentle belly landing in a snow-covered field. Shipped by rail to McClellan AFB, CA, repairs were completed by Nov 1971 and it was allocated to the 84th FIS at Hamilton AFB, CA, finally transferring to the 49th FIS (ADC) at Griffiss AFB, NY in May 1973, as preserved since 1986

Built as a C-119F-FA by Fairchild at Hagerstown, MD in 1953 and converted to C-119J in 1957 with beaver-type rear cargo doors, this Flying Boxcar initially had a regular transport role, but in 1958/59 was modified for the mid-air retrieval of space capsules re-entering the atmosphere from orbit. In August 1960, it caught the Discoverer XIV satellite using recovery gear lowered from the open rear door and snagging the satellite's parachute, a winch then reeling in the satellite's film capsule. In 1963 it was flown to Wright Field to await display facilities; my 1973 photo here

Giving some impression of the tightly packed conditions and photographic challenge, this B-57 initially served the 4025th SRS (Light)/4080th SRW "Black Knights" at Turner AFB, GA and then Laughlin AFB, TX. The RB-57's much longer wings had a lightweight honeycomb internal structure and more powerful engines. By 1968 53-3982 had been converted to EB-57D spec and operated for about 10 years with the 4677th Defense Systems Evaluation Sqdn, Hill AFB, UT before loan to the Pima museum. By 2004 it was transferred to the NMUSAF where it was restored in its original late 1950s RB-57 colours

The only Lockheed VC-121E built, "Columbine III" served as President Dwight D Eisenhower's personal transport from 1954 until he left office in January 1961. Named after after the official state flower of Colorado in honour of his wife, the Super Connie was retired in 1966 and flown to the museum

This early Hercules, built in 1955, was converted to an AC-130A Spectre gunship in 1968 and flew combat missions over Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. Assigned to the 919th SOW at Duke Field FL from 1975, in 1991 it was in action again, over Kuwait and Iraq during Operation Desert Storm then once more from September 1994 during Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti. In October 1995 it was ferried to the USAFM and still displays its name "Azrael", after the angel of death in the Koran that severs the soul from the body

The X-13 was built to prove the concept that a jet could take off vertically, transition to horizontal flight and return to the vertical for landing, first successfully completing this feat in April 1957. The program was terminated for lack of funds and operational requirement next year and in 1959 the Vertijet was passed to the USAFM

The commonality of serial with the lifting body behind is explained in my upload of the latter here - the X-24A underwent radical changes when rebuilt as the X-24B which flew 36 times between 1973 and 1975, making 12 gliding-only and 24 powered flights with gliding landings as part of the Space Shuttle development program. Each time, a NASA modified B-52 mothership launched the X-24B at 45,000 ft. It was moved to the USAFM in 1976

Built as an RF-4C-22-MC by McDonnell at their Saint Louis plant in 1965, this recce Phantom saw service in Vietnam, Japan, Korea, Europe, Cuba and the Middle East, gaining the nickname "Iraqi Scud Seeker" while flying 172 missions in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990/91. It was delivered to the museum in May 1994

Built as an RB-47H-1-BW by Boeing at Wichita, KS in 1955, this Stratojet served with the 55th SRW based at Forbes AFB, KS and saw deployment to several locations, including Incirlik AB, Turkey, and Yokota AFB, Japan, flying recce missions over the Soviet Union. Retired in 1966, it was preserved at Salina Municipal Airport, KS before transfer to the USAFM in 1998, where it was restored using the nose section and engines from 52-0410 and went on display in 2003. Till 2012 a B-47E was exhibited (my 1973 photo) but that was moved to Albuquerque, NM

This Blackbird made the first operational SR-71 sortie, over Vietnam in March 1968. During its career, it accumulated 2,981 flying hours and 942 total sorties (more than any other SR-71), including 257 operational missions from its 9th SRW base at Beale AFB, CA, Kadena AB, Okinawa and RAF Mildenhall, flying to the museum in March 1990

A tricky one to photograph, this famous Air Force One was the first jet aircraft built specifically for use by the President of the United States. During its 36 year flying career, it carried eight presidents and countless heads of state, diplomats, dignitaries and officials on many historic journeys known as Special Air Missions (SAM). In a nationally-televised event, the USAF retired SAM 26000 to the museum in May 1998 after 36 years service and accumulating more than 13,000 flying hours

From August 1968 until early 1973, this Sabreliner was assigned to Bergstrom AFB, TX, in support of former President Lyndon B Johnson as he travelled to and from his nearby ranch. It then flew as a test bed for advanced avionics and communication equipment as part of the Speckled Trout research and development program, gaining the nickname "Speckled Minnow". Having returned to its executive transport role, it was delivered to the museum in October 1984

This C-130E had a long career, including a 1972 mission in which it was badly damaged during the Southeast Asia War, earning two Airmen the Air Force Cross. It was flown to the museum in August 2011