In the late 1930s Douglas developed the B-18 to replace the Martin B-10 as the US Army Air Corps' standard bomber, but by 1942 superior designs such as Boeing's B-17 had supplanted it, many being relegated to transport or anti-submarine work. This example was redesignated as an RB-18A in 1942 and after being used for utility duties, was operated post-war as a crop duster registered N56847. It was ferried to the USAFM in 1971

From looking at earlier images of some aircraft in the museum, it is apparent that their current positioning is less favourable for photography than it once was - this is an example. In the Lead-In-Fighter Trainer (LIFT) program, from 1975 new pilots went directly from T-38s to advanced fighters of an operational squadron. The LIFT program saved costs and reduced the training load on new pilots because they could learn fighter basics in a familiar aircraft. Modified with weapons pylon and gunsight, this Talon became one of the AT-38Bs so used by the 479th TTW (Holloman AFB, NM) till 1991

Derived originally from the Beechcraft Bonanza, the 350 T-34s eventually built for the USAF's Training Command served from first deliveries in 1954 through till replacement by Cessna T-37 jets from the end of that decade. A further 100 were built in Canada under licence. This one was registered N6485C between 1962 and 1979

Starting in 1925 with the P-1, Curtiss built a long series of fighters carrying the name Hawk. Of the eight different P-6 models produced, the P-6E remains the best known. This is the only surviving example in the world of the 70 P-6s built, donated to the museum in 1962. It is displayed in the markings of 17th Pursuit Squadron, 1st Pursuit Squadron Selfridge Field, MI in 1933 although it it fact served the 33rd PS, 8th PG, Langley Field, VA

The USAAF contracted with new manufacturer Interstate for 250 of their S-1B tandem seat liaison aircraft designating it as L-6 but overheating problems with its 115hp Franklin engine were never fully solved. This one was registered N60458 postwar

Rather less suitable for photography than when I last saw it in 1973 (photo here), "Triple Nickel" was one of the unarmed radar EC-121s that aided direction towards enemy aircraft, to aerial refuelling tankers and guided rescue planes to downed pilots. In October 1967 while stationed airborne over Gulf of Tonkin, this Connie guided a US fighter by radar into position to destroy a MiG-21, marking the first time an airborne radar weapons controller had directed a successful attack on an enemy aircraft. The 72 EC-121s had entered service with ADC from 1953, flying coastal patrols

Discovered without wings by demolition crews in a Chicago garage while clearing buildings to make way for a new freeway during the 1960s, the museum's P-12 had been delivered to the 95th Pursuit Squadron, March Field in late 1931 and has been restored to the marks of the 6th Pursuit Squadron, 18th Pursuit Group, Wheeler Field, HI as operated between December 1933 and May 1940. Stuck off having suffered a broken strut on landing, it was donated to the Coffey School of Aeronautics, Chicago, eventually arriving with the USAFM in 1973

Delivered as an RC-121D and redesignated EC-121D in 1962. Operating from Korat RTAFB, Thailand by 1967 with 553rd and later 552nd AEW&CW. Ferried to museum in August 1971, a much better photo being possible back when it was parked outside

The B-66 was developed from the US Navy A3D Skywarrior as a tactical light bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft. The RB-66B photo reconnaissance version became the first production series and totaled 145 of the 294 B-66s built. The USAF also developed a weather reconnaissance and various ECM modifications. The aircraft on display flew combat missions in Southeast Asia with the 363rd TRW and was delivered to the museum in 1970. This link shows it as seen in 1973

13 Sep '57: TOS USAF as a C-123B as 56-4362. 1962 to 1972: Deployed to South Vietnam as sprayer. Jan '72: 377th Air Base Wing,Tan Son Nhut. By this time the aircraft had received nearly 600 hits in combat and was nicknamed "Patches" for all the metal patches covering the holes.  The crew earned seven Purple Hearts.  1972: Became the first and only C-123 to fly completely around the world when it returned to the USA by way of Afghanistan and Iran, where it assisted in the fight against a plague of locusts. Jan 73: Redesignated C-123K and decontaminated of Agent Orange. 1980: Flew to the Air Force Museum.

This 363rd TRW Vietnam veteran was one of the many fabulous exhibits lined up on the old Wright Field runway before the second and subsequent indoor galleries were built, affording never-to-be repeated photographic opportunities. This link shows how she looked during my next visit, a mere 51 years later

In 1952 the USAF was testing two YRF-84F FICON (FIghter CONveyor) prototypes, one of which is currently stored at the NMUSAF - see my 1973 photo. Orders were placed for 25 RF-84Ks, while ten B-36s were converted into GRB-36 carriers. The RF-84K now on display in the marks of the 91st SRS (with which it operated between 1955 and 1957) may have been used for a short time for deep penetration reconnaissance flights into the USSR, started and recovered from its mother ship. As more capable aircraft rendered the awkward concept obsolete, the RF-84Ks joined regular land-based RF-84Fs

10 Sep '54: TOS USAF and assigned to the 1298th Air Transport (Heavy) Squadron (MATS), Washington National Airport, Washington, DC. 24 Nov '54: Christened "Columbine III" by Mamie Eisenhower. 20Jan '61: Removed from Presidential duties but continued with Special Air Missions fleet at Andrews AFB, MD. 20 Apr '66: Finally retiring, the plane was ferried to Patterson Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, for the Air Force Museum. Jul '66: Ferried over to Wright Field and parked near the site of the future museum. By 1990: Restored.

10 Sep '54: TOS USAF and assigned to the 1298th Air Transport (Heavy) Squadron (MATS), Washington National Airport, Washington, DC. 24 Nov '54: Christened "Columbine III" by Mamie Eisenhower. 20Jan '61: Removed from Presidential duties but continued with Special Air Missions fleet at Andrews AFB, MD. 20 Apr '66: Finally retiring, the plane was ferried to Patterson Field, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, for the Air Force Museum. Jul '66: Ferried over to Wright Field and parked near the site of the future museum. By 1990: Restored.

As "Jolly 21" this helicopter led an April 2004 mission to rescue five US Army soldiers whose CH-47D had crashed during a sandstorm near Kharbut, Iraq. Flown into the museum in August 2023

In 1961 this F-84 was part of a mass deployment of 200 fighters to Europe in response to the Berlin Crisis and the following year it was transferred 366th FBW at Chaumont-Semoutiers AB, France. In 1970 after retirement by the 178th TFG, Ohio ANG it was flown to Wright Field for storage until the new museum building opened and it is these days one of the superb exhibits in the Cold War Gallery

This was one of the two prototype YAT-37Ds evaluated by the USAF for a counter-insurgency (COIN) attack/reconnaissance aircraft to use in Southeast Asia. It was retired to the museum in December 1964. However, it was recalled to active service in August 1966 for final design testing of the urgently needed A-37 attack aircraft. It rejoined the museum in July 1970 as a YA-37A

The Standard Aircraft Co J-1 was a two-seat primary trainer used by the US Army Air Service to supplement the JN-4 Jenny. Although similar in appearance, it was more difficult to fly. This example was placed on display after a two-year restoration in 1981

Taken on strength by the US Army in 1962 as a CV-2B, this Caribou was deployed to Vietnam in 1965 where its STOL capabilities were put to good use. In 1967 all fixed-wing Army aircraft were taken over by the USAF, this aircraft now designated as a C-7A being assigned to the 457th TAS at Cam Rahn, S Vietnam, later to the 536th TAS. Lonaed to Air America as 193, it flew in Laos. In 1972 it was relegated to AFRes service at Maxwell AFB, AL then Dobbins ARB, GA before retirement and ferry flight to the USAFM in May 1983

By 1924 the US Army Air Service needed a new primary training aircraft, and they chose the PT-1 designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Corp of Buffalo, NY. Deliveries began in 1925 and the type became the first trainer purchased by the Army Air Service in substantial quantity following WWI, with some 221 of them built. This example was obtained from Ohio State University in 1957