Ca.1962: TOS USAF. 1962: Temporarily designated JB-52H when it was used for weapons tests, including the Skybolt, as well as electronics systems tests, such of those of the AN/ASQ-38 bombing navigation system. By 1964: Back to being a B-52H as noted on a photo taken at Fairford, England airshow, when it was painted in SAC markings. By 1992 to after August/22: 23rd Bomb Squadron/5th Bomb Wing, Minot AFB, ND.

On display in the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This 363rd TRG recce Voodoo was flown by Captain Ray Schrecengost in Op Sun Run. Named "Cin Min" for his daughters, it was the lead aircraft among four RF-101Cs which set three new transcontinental speed records in 1957 using four AARs each way. It flew with 363rd TRW during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The 'C' variant was used in combat during the Vietnam War, where this Voodoo served with 45th TRS at Tan Son Nhut AB. Recce Voodoos were heavily tasked, which included providing BDA that attracted AAA.

Ca.1950: TOS USAF as a B-50D. 1953: Converted to WB-50D and assigned to the 97th Bombardment Wing, Biggs AFB, TX. 4/55: Air Weather Service. 7/56: 57th Weather Recon Squadron, Hickam AFB, HI. 10/58: 55th WRS, Hickham AFB. 5/61: 56th Weather WRS, Yokota Air Base, Japan. 9/65: Departed Yokota, ferry flight to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. 6/66: Flown to Air Force Systems Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; redesignated JB-50D for test flights. Ca.1967: SOC and turned over to the Air Force Museum.

Ca.1950: TOS USAF as a B-50D. 1953: Converted to WB-50D and assigned to the 97th Bombardment Wing, Biggs AFB, TX. 4/55: Air Weather Service. 7/56: 57th Weather Recon Squadron, Hickam AFB, HI. 10/58: 55th WRS, Hickham AFB. 5/61: 56th Weather WRS, Yokota Air Base, Japan. 9/65: Departed Yokota, ferry flight to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ. 6/66: Flown to Air Force Systems Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH; redesignated JB-50D for test flights. Ca.1967: SOC and turned over to the Air Force Museum.

3 Oct 1955: TOS USAF and assigned to the 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. Deployed to several locations, including Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Yokota Air Base, Japan, and flew missions over the Soviet Union. 10/66: SOC. Donated to the city of Salina, KS; displayed with the International Society of Vehicle Preservation, Salina Airport (ex-Schilling AFB). The aircraft was vandalized and deteriorated badly over the years. 1998: Acquired by the Air Force Museum and began restoration. The nose section and engines were acquired from B-47E 52-0410. 3/03: Restoration completed and placed on display.

3 Oct 1955: TOS USAF and assigned to the 55th SRW, Forbes AFB, KS. Deployed to several locations, including Incirlik Air Base, Turkey, and Yokota Air Base, Japan, and flew missions over the Soviet Union. 10/66: SOC. Donated to the city of Salina, KS; displayed with the International Society of Vehicle Preservation, Salina Airport (ex-Schilling AFB). The aircraft was vandalized and deteriorated badly over the years. 1998: Acquired by the Air Force Museum and began restoration. The nose section and engines were acquired from B-47E 52-0410. 3/03: Restoration completed and placed on display.

On display in the Korean War Gallery at NMUSAF. This early MiG-15bis with an FS-155 landing light on the splitter was flown by the KPAF. A S-13 gun camera is on the upper lip. On 21 Sep 1953, Lt No Kum-Sok flying an armed patrol defected by crossing the DMZ and landed his MiG-15bis at Kimpo Air Base. The U.S. was keen to acquire a MiG-15 and offered a $100,000 reward for the first one delivered intact. The aircraft was extensively tested and then offered back to its "rightful owners", but there was no response to the offer by N. Korea, China or the Soviet Union. It went to the museum in 1957.

The 502nd Air Base Wing was part of the Air Education and Training Command and operated the C-21A Learjet. One of these can be seen visiting Wright Patterson AFB.

Scorpion 2 on display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This is the second F-117A built that was modified for systems testing. It went to the museum in 1991 after its test program was completed with Air Force Systems Command. A total of 5 YF-117As and 59 F-117As were built between 1981 and 1990. A GBU is visible inside the bomb doors.

On display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This is the export version of the MiG-23 that was less capable than domestic Soviet versions. It was flown by the 4477th TES, nicknamed the "Red Eagles", which also evaluated the MiG-17 and MiG-21 under Project Constant Peg over the Tonopah Test Range. The Soviet aircraft were used to simulate realistic adversaries, helping American aircrews to gain skill and confidence to defeat these threats. Constant Peg ended in 1988.

Photographer: Jack Morris.

Photographer: Jack Morris.

Peacemaker on display in the Cold War Gallery at NMUSAF. It wears the emblem of SAC on its nose of an armored fist holding red lightning flashes and an olive branch. At its peak, SAC operated 342 Peacemakers, of which 209 were bombers and 133 were reconnaissance/bomber (RB) variants. Its B-36 units included the 5th, 6th, 7th, 11th, 28th, 42nd, 72nd, 92nd, 95th and 99th BW. As the big stick in nuclear deterrence, the B-36 held the line till replaced by the B-47 and B-52 in the all-jet SAC bomber force.

The original "Memphis Belle" on display in the World War II Gallery at NMUSAF. Built at Boeing Seattle, she was named after Capt. Robert K. Morgan's girlfriend Margaret Polk. Flying with the 324th BS, 91st BG at Bassingbourn, England, the B-17 was the second USAAF bomber to complete 25 missions over Europe between Nov. 1942 and 17 May 1943, preceded by 358th BS B-17F "Hell's Angels" in this feat. She was the first to return to the USA and completed a three-month war bond tour with more than 30 stops.

Occupying a large space in the center of the cavernous hangar, this B-52D is on display at the start of the Southeast Asia War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. While targeting SAM sites near Vinh on April 9, 1972, a SA-2 missile exploded near the left wing of AQUA 2 flown by Capt. Ken Curry of the 307th SW. The B-52 was damaged extensively, causing fuel leaks. It was flown to Da Nang where it made an emergency landing. All crew members were awarded the DFC. After being repaired, the aircraft flew four more missions over North Vietnam.

"Hanoi Taxi" of the 445th AW on display in the Global Reach Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Built as a C-141A, its most significant mission was to airlift the first American POWs to freedom from Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi on 12 Feb 73. It flew two missions, carrying 78 POWs and two civilians to the Philippines. It also brought POWs home from the Philippines four times. The Starlifter was converted to a C-141B and C-141C and continued flying for over three decades, logging more than 40,000 hours. It was flown to the museum in 2006.

On display in the Cold War Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. This SAC Thunderflash of the 91st SRS, 71st SRW(F) based at Larson AFB in 1956 is one of 25 that were modified as parasite aircraft to hook up with ten GRB-36 FIghter CONveyers (FICON), which were modified strategic bombers. The concept was to carry the fighter or recce aircraft near the target, drop and recover the same so that the range of the fighter could be extended at a time when aerial refuelling was unproven. Separating and hooking back was hazardous.

On display in the Research & Development Gallery at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

On display in the World War II Gallery at NMUSAF. This was the last Mustang assigned to a USAF tactical unit. It was obtained from the West Virginia ANG in 1957 when the Mustang was phased out. It is painted as 44-11234 "Shimmy IV" flown by Lt Col Chester L. Sluder, CO of the 325th FG, who led the first shuttle-bombing mission from Italy to USSR on 2 Jun 44. This MTO Group used the black & yellow checkertail designed by Lt Col Robert L. Baseler on its aircraft for easy identification by bomber crews.