IAI Kfir
Category: Marine Corps
Flying Machines & Femmes
KB’s
A thirsty FJ Fury of VMF 214 nuzzles up to a friendly KB-50.
“Miss Bea” (49-355), a KB-50J of the 622nd AREFS, England AFB.
48-0063, a J-model of the 431st AREFS pulls a pair of FJs and an F8U.
Another shot of “Miss Bea”.
“Pogo” a K-model of the 427th AREFS, Langley AFB.
The term “One of the unsung aircraft…” is often misapplied, but it sticks like glue to the B-50 and its variants. Developed and produced by Boeing at a time when they would rather have been developing and producing jet bombers, the B-50 – basically a well-improved B-29 – was easily overshadowed by more sleek and futuristic designs such as the B-47. And, of course, it would always be comingled/confused with its more famous older brother, the aforesaid B-29. This was aided by the fact the B-50 never even got its own nickname; it too was the “Superfortress”. Apparently, Boeing and the USAF were not interested enough to even come up with a moniker for their new bomber.
Nearly 400 B-50s were built, the majority of which were converted into tankers. Their operations mostly confined to supporting fighter aircraft, the KB-50 became the mainstay of many an Air Refueling Squadron (AREFS) in the 1950s . They soldiered on until 1965, afterwards, they were soon forgotten. Alas, only five B-50s have survived.
Note: Back in the early 1980s, we had an old-timer (at age 40, he seemed ancient) in our USAF maintenance squadron who had worked on KB-50s late in their careers. Patiently puffing (always) on his cigarette, he explained to the youthful ignoramuses in his charge just what a KB-50 was. “Really not much different looking than a B-29” said he. In fact, he recalled that many of the parts were interchangeable.
As previously stated, truly an unsung (and ignored) aircraft (even by those who worked on them).
O2U-2, VS-14M, CV-3, 1930
USMC Skyhawk
Based at MCAS Yuma, Arizona, this A-4M (159487) of VMAT-102 was no stranger to sunny days like the one seen here at NAS Whidbey Island in 1981.
More F4B for Thee
Post-War Props
TBM Avengers not far from their home at NAS Oakland.
FG-1D Corsair at NAS Seattle.
VF-42 bird at NAS Jacksonville.
Corsairs of VC-4, NAS Atlantic City.
R4D, US Naval Air Reserve.
R5D-2 of NAS Seattle.
SB2C Helldiver used by NACA for gun sight research, late 40s to mid-50s.
Same Helldiver a few years earlier when used as a test bed for the USN.
Naval Air Reserve Helldiver.
SB2C-5 of VU-1, NAS Barbers Point.
The short-lived Curtiss XBTC-1.
A pair of SC-1 Seahawks nestled aboard their home battleship.
Catalinas of VP-34 and VP-AM-3.
PBM Mariners of VR-23 at NAS Agana.
R5C-1 of VMR-252, MCAS El Toro.
PBM-5S of VP-50, NAS North Island.
Another VP-50 aircraft, this time a P5M after the squadron moved to NAS Whidbey Island.
Early model P2V from NAS Whidbey Island.
Curtiss XBTC-2. The counter-rotating props are rather evident.
The XBTC-1 design bore a strong appearance to its Curtiss forebear, the Helldiver.
The XBTC-2.
K-Class blimp of ZP-1 comes aboard USS Mindoro.
Airshow time, circa 1979
Note: This T-33 from Tyndall AFB wears the number “70490” but in actuality is 58-0490. These things happen.
Vulcan XM597 would become famous for its role in the upcoming Falklands War in 1982 when it became one of only two Vulcans to drop weapons in actual combat.
F-4E 67-0301 from George AFB was credited with downing a MiG-21 in 1972, yet wears no markings to indicate such. This was not uncommon in the late 70s. We had several “MiG Killer” Phantoms in my squadron at the time, and they bore no markings either.
There was something for everybody at this open house back around 1979: Phantoms, Voodoo, Thunderchief, Vulcan, and the USAF Thunderbirds in their T-38s. Not 100 percent certain of the location, but I believe it is Whiteman AFB, MO. The photographer was not using the best of equipment, but I’m glad he took the pictures.
Grumman F3F – the “Flying Barrel”
The F3F had several nicknames, all related to its appearance. Nevertheless, it was rugged, reliable, and pretty quick. It was also the last biplane fighter ordered by the US military. The first two photos show VF-4 out for a cruise above California in the late 1930s. Numbers are 0261, 0228, 0235
Here, we see Marines of VMF-2 out for a drive in the F3F-2. This second model had a bigger motor and was readily identified by the size of the engine cowl. Numbers are 0973, 0977, and 0979.
Corsairs…
The Jive Bomber 