In September 1948, the XF-92A became the world's first jet aircraft to fly with the radical delta-wing configuration, pioneered by Germany's Dr Alexander Lippisch. Convair used the knowledge learned from the XF-92 to design the delta-wing F-102, the USAF's first operational supersonic interceptor. Operated by NACA, it made its last flight in October 1953, the nose gear collapsing on landing. It then became a travelling exhibit with the USAF's Recruiting Service, next going on display at Franklin County Airport, TN in 1965. In vandalised condition, it was recovered by the USAFM in 1969

During the 1960s, this U-2A, the last one built, made 285 flights to gather data on high-altitude clear-air turbulence. It went on the following decade to flight test reconnaissance systems and was delivered to the USAFM in May 1980

Taken when it was Williams AFB. White tip for H flight. Damaged beyond repair in a hard landing after an aborted takeoff at Sheppard AFB, TX in 2009.

This C-20 served the 89th AW at Andrews AFB from July 1987 till September 2015 when delivered to the NMUSAF

As a kid in the 1960s I can well remember being inspired by this extraordinary rocket-powered machine built to investigate the effects of hypersonic flight. In June 1962 this, the second of three X-15s, became the first aircraft to exceed Mach 5 after being air-dropped form its NB-52A mothership over Mud Lake, NV. In October 1967, after a fuselage stretch and addition of the large propellant tanks, it reached Mach 6.7, fastest of the three X-15s. In December 1968 the 200th X-15 flight was cancelled and 56-6671 went into storage till moved to the USAFM the following year

Built as a T-37A, this basic jet trainer was upgraded to T-37B around 1961 with improved engines, navigation and communications equipment. By the mid-1980s it was operating with the 8th FTS/71st FTW at Vance AFB, OK and is now displayed with their 'OK' code having been delivered to the museum in October 1991

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

Seen outside in the TAC markings in which it finished its service career, before restoration in Presidential colours as "The independence" (as per my upload from December 2024)

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

Taken when it was Williams AFB. Yellow band for L flight. Loaned to Taiwan as 3828 from 1995 to 1998. Stored at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ in 2006.

Taken when it was Williams AFB. Blue band for K flight. Later converted to a T-38C. Still in service in 2022.

Taken when it was Williams AFB. Blue tip for C flight. To the Colombian Air Force as 2117 in 1997. Preserved at Palanquero by 2021.

Taken when it was Williams AFB. Black band for I flight. Converted to a T-38C by 1993. Still in service in 2023.

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