Profiles Index
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
World War II: P-38 Lightning
The P-38 Lightning entered service in 1941, and saw action with American forces for much of World War II. Known for its twin tail booms and single central nacelle, the P-38 was fast and durable. With its nose-mounted armament, the P-38 was favored by American aces such as Richard Bong and Thomas MacGuire.
World War I: RAF S.E.5
The Royal Aircraft Facotry SE5 was a fighter flown by British and Commonwealth forces during World War I. A contemporary of the famed Sopwith Camel, the SE5 possessed better overall performance and was easier to fly. The SE5 entered service in mid-1917 and remained at the front until the of the war.
World War II: Mitsubishi A6M Zero
The Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero was the primary fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. Highly maneuverable, the Japanese Zero outclassed most Allied fighters during the early years of the conflict. As the war progressed, the Zero found itself inferior to the new generation of fighters such as the F6F Hellcat and F4U Corsair.
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.
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.
F-86 Sabre: Warrior of MiG Alley
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.
World War II: Boeing B-29 Superfortress
One of the largest aircraft to see service during World War II, the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was the last major addition to the US bomber fleet during the conflict. Easily recognized by its distinctive silhouette, the B-29 is best known as the aircraft that dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Supermarine Spitfire: Icon of the RAF
The Supermarine Spitfire was the iconic British fighter of World War II. With over 20,000 built, the Supermarine Spitfire saw action in all theaters of the war and proved a nimble and deadly aircraft.
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.