Military Aircraft - From Balloons to Stealth Fighters
Land here to explore the wide variety of aircraft that have been used by the world's armed forces. From the Sopwith Camel to the F-14, this is your place for information about the planes that have dominated the skies.
Naval Aviation: USS Shenandoah
USS Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built for the US Navy. Finished in 1923, USS Shenandoah acted as a test platform for rigid airship technology and served as a scout for the fleet. The airship's brief career ended on September 2, 1925, when it crashed in Ohio.
USS Shenandoah was the first rigid airship built for the US Navy. Finished in 1923, USS Shenandoah acted as a test platform for rigid airship technology and served as a scout for the fleet. The airship's brief career ended on September 2, 1925, when it crashed in Ohio.
Cold War: Bell X-1
The Bell X-1 was designed in 1945, as the first high speed aircraft built specifically for research purposes. Two years later, the Bell X-1 became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier with Captain Chuck Yeager at the controls. The data gathered and procedures developed during X-1 program contributed greatly to US fighter design and the space program.
The Bell X-1 was designed in 1945, as the first high speed aircraft built specifically for research purposes. Two years later, the Bell X-1 became the first aircraft to break the sound barrier with Captain Chuck Yeager at the controls. The data gathered and procedures developed during X-1 program contributed greatly to US fighter design and the space program.
Korean War: MiG-15
The MiG-15 was a key Communist jet fighter during the Korean War. Designed by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, the MiG-15 was designed for the Soviet Union and was one of the first swept wing jet fighters. Flying over North Korea, the MiG-15 routinely dueled American F-86 Sabres in "MiG Alley."
The MiG-15 was a key Communist jet fighter during the Korean War. Designed by Artem Mikoyan and Mikhail Gurevich, the MiG-15 was designed for the Soviet Union and was one of the first swept wing jet fighters. Flying over North Korea, the MiG-15 routinely dueled American F-86 Sabres in "MiG Alley."
Korean War: F-86 Sabre
The F-86 Sabre was the iconic US aircraft of the Korean War. Introduced in 1949, the F-86 saw extensive service over the Korean Peninsula between 1950 and 1953. Able to achieve supersonic speeds in a dive, the F-86 is best remembered for dueling MiG-15s in an area known as MiG Alley. Retired in the late 1950s by the US Air Force, the F-86 was exported heavily.
The F-86 Sabre was the iconic US aircraft of the Korean War. Introduced in 1949, the F-86 saw extensive service over the Korean Peninsula between 1950 and 1953. Able to achieve supersonic speeds in a dive, the F-86 is best remembered for dueling MiG-15s in an area known as MiG Alley. Retired in the late 1950s by the US Air Force, the F-86 was exported heavily.
Cold War: B-52 Stratofortress
First flying in 1952, the B-52 Stratofortress formed the backbone of the US Strategic Air Command for much of the Cold War. Designed for delivering nuclear weapons, the B-52 has dropped conventional munitions in support of American efforts during the Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The US Air Force plans to keep the B-52 Stratofortress in service until 2040.
First flying in 1952, the B-52 Stratofortress formed the backbone of the US Strategic Air Command for much of the Cold War. Designed for delivering nuclear weapons, the B-52 has dropped conventional munitions in support of American efforts during the Vietnam War, the 1991 Gulf War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The US Air Force plans to keep the B-52 Stratofortress in service until 2040.
Cold War: XB-70 Valkyrie
The XB-70 Valkyrie was first developed in the 1950s as a high-altitude, supersonic bomber. Intended to carrying nuclear weapons to strike the Soviet Union, the XB-70 program was largely cancelled due to the development of effective surface-to-air missiles. Two XB-70 prototypes were built and used in high-speed testing.
The XB-70 Valkyrie was first developed in the 1950s as a high-altitude, supersonic bomber. Intended to carrying nuclear weapons to strike the Soviet Union, the XB-70 program was largely cancelled due to the development of effective surface-to-air missiles. Two XB-70 prototypes were built and used in high-speed testing.
Vietnam War: MiG-21 Fishbed
The MiG-21 Fishbed was introduced in 1959, and became the world's most produced supersonic fighter. Flown by over fifty countries during its long career, the MiG-21 Fishbed saw extensive use during the Vietnam War and various conflicts in the Middle East. Some variants of the MiG-21 remain in service to this day.
The MiG-21 Fishbed was introduced in 1959, and became the world's most produced supersonic fighter. Flown by over fifty countries during its long career, the MiG-21 Fishbed saw extensive use during the Vietnam War and various conflicts in the Middle East. Some variants of the MiG-21 remain in service to this day.
Vietnam War: F-8 Crusader
The F-8 Crusader was developed in the 1950s as a fighter for the US Navy. Entering service in 1957, the F-8 Crusader was the last American fighter designed with guns as its primary weapon. The F-8 Crusader saw extensive service during the Vietnam was and was not fully retired until 1999.
The F-8 Crusader was developed in the 1950s as a fighter for the US Navy. Entering service in 1957, the F-8 Crusader was the last American fighter designed with guns as its primary weapon. The F-8 Crusader saw extensive service during the Vietnam was and was not fully retired until 1999.
Vietnam War: F-105 Thunderchief
The F-105 Thunderchief was one of the US Air Force's primary fighter-bombers during the Vietnam War. Widely used for strike bombing over North Vietnam, the F-105 also was employed in a "wild weasel" role to suppress enemy surface-to-air missiles. The Thunderchief remained in use until 1984.
The F-105 Thunderchief was one of the US Air Force's primary fighter-bombers during the Vietnam War. Widely used for strike bombing over North Vietnam, the F-105 also was employed in a "wild weasel" role to suppress enemy surface-to-air missiles. The Thunderchief remained in use until 1984.
Vietnam War: F-4 Phantom II
The F-4 Phantom II was originally developed for the US Navy, but also was used by the US Air Force and Marine Corps. A long-range fighter/fighter-bomber, the F-4 Phantom II saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. Replaced by the American military in the 1980s, the F-4 continued to see service with other nations.
The F-4 Phantom II was originally developed for the US Navy, but also was used by the US Air Force and Marine Corps. A long-range fighter/fighter-bomber, the F-4 Phantom II saw extensive service during the Vietnam War. Replaced by the American military in the 1980s, the F-4 continued to see service with other nations.
Cold War: F-14 Tomcat - Fleet Defender
The F-14 Tomcat entered service in 1972, as the US Navy's principal fleet defense fighter. Armed with a variety of missiles, the F-14 was intended to prevent long-range attacks against US carrier groups as well as perform air superiority roles. The F-14 later was adapted for air-to-ground attack prior to its retirement in 2006.
The F-14 Tomcat entered service in 1972, as the US Navy's principal fleet defense fighter. Armed with a variety of missiles, the F-14 was intended to prevent long-range attacks against US carrier groups as well as perform air superiority roles. The F-14 later was adapted for air-to-ground attack prior to its retirement in 2006.
Cold War: Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the world's first operational stealth fighter. Designed by the Lockheed Skunk Works, the F-117 entered service in 1983, but remained secret for several years. The F-117 saw extensive service during the Gulf War and Kosovo War before being retired in 2008.
The Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk was the world's first operational stealth fighter. Designed by the Lockheed Skunk Works, the F-117 entered service in 1983, but remained secret for several years. The F-117 saw extensive service during the Gulf War and Kosovo War before being retired in 2008.
Current Conflicts: F-35 Lightning II
The F-35 Lightning II is result of the multi-nation Joint Strike Fighter program. Spearheaded by the United States and Great Britain, the F-35 will be both nations' next generation close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air aircraft. The F-35 Lightning II will also be built in a carrier version for use at sea.
The F-35 Lightning II is result of the multi-nation Joint Strike Fighter program. Spearheaded by the United States and Great Britain, the F-35 will be both nations' next generation close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air aircraft. The F-35 Lightning II will also be built in a carrier version for use at sea.
Aircraft and Aces of World War I
A comprehensive site that provides information on World War I aircraft and the men who flew them.
A comprehensive site that provides information on World War I aircraft and the men who flew them.
Aircraft of the Spanish Civil War
An illustrated list of aircraft used by Fascist and Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War.
An illustrated list of aircraft used by Fascist and Republican forces during the Spanish Civil War.
Aircraft of the Korean War
A list and image gallery of aircraft used by US and United Nations forces during the Korean Conflict.
A list and image gallery of aircraft used by US and United Nations forces during the Korean Conflict.
Aircraft of the Vietnam War
A list of Vietnam War-era aircraft with photographs.
A list of Vietnam War-era aircraft with photographs.
BAE F/A.2 Sea Harrier
A site providing detailed information on the Royal Navy's F/A.2 Sea Harrier from its baptism by fire in the Falklands to its retirement.
A site providing detailed information on the Royal Navy's F/A.2 Sea Harrier from its baptism by fire in the Falklands to its retirement.