Category: US Air Force

Open house, Langley AFB, 1962

Webp.net-resizeimage (1)Naturally, one sees this photo and says “F-4 Phantom.” However, the picture is early enough to where the sign in front of the aircraft says otherwise: “F-110A Phantom”. That is a bit of a misnomer. While the Air Force did designate their version of the Navy’s F4H Phantom as the F-110, they chose the name “Spectre” instead. Carrying the Navy bureau number of [1]49406, this aircraft’s USAF serial number was 62-12169.                                     

The F-105 alongside (59-1755) is from Seymour Johnson AFB’s 336th Tactical Fighter Squadron. This aircraft was shot down while engaged in a dogfight with a MiG 17 on July 19, 1966. The pilot, Stephen W. Diamond, was seen to eject, but was never found.

Webp.net-resizeimageF-104 Starfighter (56-0899) of the 479th TFW, George AFB. The F-106 alongside (56-0462), is from Langley’s 48th FIS. This aircraft suffered engine failure while on a high altitude (70,000 feet) intercept mission on June 6, 1975. The pilot, Captain Stephen Damer, made aviation history when he safely ejected at great altitude and descended some 12 miles or so to the Gulf of Mexico.

 

Mixed bag of B-29 Superforts

44-87768 was an SB-29 of the 3rd Rescue Squadron. The tail of SB-17G 44-83719 of Hamilton AFB’s 2154th Rescue Squadron is visible to the left.
45-21749 of the 11th Bomb Wing is seen here on the ramp at Carswell AFB. In the background is the XB-36. Note: 21749 was shot down by a MiG 15 on 29 March 1951 while assigned to the 19th Bomb Wing. All were killed including Wing Commander Col. Payne Jennings.
44-61908 and 44-86421 of the 307th Bomb Wing, MacDill AFB. The latter aircraft was lost in a mid-air collision in 1952.
44-8771 of the 509th Bomb Wing was also known as “Priv’ Love Witch”.
Another view of “Love Witch”.
45-21758 of the 97th Bomb Wing
EB-29B 44-84035 of the 4112nd Army Air Forces Base Unit, Olmsted Field, Pa.
44-62295 carries the name “Iron Bird”. Assigned to the 4135th Army Air Forces Base Unit, Hill Field, Utah.
44-62314 of the 43rd Bomb Wing was nicknamed “Gas Gobbler” when it took part in a round the world in 1948.
44-62044 of the 9th Bomb Wing.
Another look at 044, this time parked in St. Louis with the McDonnell Aircraft plant in the background.
44-62234 of the 43rd Bomb Wing. Must be at a Naval Air Station – there are PBM Mariners in the background.
44-86292 is better known as “Enola Gay”.
Another view of Enola Gay.
44-86294 of the 28th Bomb Wing. The unusual device on the belly is the antenna for the AN/APQ-7 radar.
45-21846, an RB-29 of the 72nd Reconnaissance Squadron.
Unknown B-29 of the 468th Bomb Group.
42-65333 of the 4754th Radar Calibration Squadron, Hamilton AFB.
44-86345 of the 2750th Air Base Wing is seen at it’s home of Wright-Patterson AFB.
44-62128 of the 59th Reconnaissance Squadron.
44-87766 served with the 97th Bomb Group until it was transferred to the Navy and renumbered 84031. Note the somewhat removed USAF tail number.

Starfighters of the 83rd FIS, 1959

webp-net-resizeimage2img032 (3)83rd

Despite its sleekness and speed, the F-104 was not well-suited to the needs of the USAF. Lacking the range and weaponry of the other interceptors of the day, the 104 never formed the backbone for America’s air defense. Though it served the Air Force for about twenty years, it typically never served in one interceptor squadron for long. Hamilton AFB’s 83rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron as seen here is typical: they flew the F-104 from 1958-60. On average, a USAF Starfighter squadron operated the type for only four years. This is in sharp contrast to the service the F-104 provided to air forces abroad. This was especially so in the skies of Europe where it was flown by a host of nations and was a familiar sight for decades.

Aircraft seen here are 56-0788 and 56-0819. In keeping with the Starfighter serving abroad theme, 788 was soon transferred to the Republic of China Air Force.

Oddball Aircraft

 

The Westland-Hill Pterodactyl was one of a number of tailless aircraft designed by that firm in the 1920s. A revolutionary idea, but I have to say that in looking at this photo one would be excused for thinking it was the result of some dire mishap.
Due to its flying characteristics (to say nothing of its appearance), the Vickers Vulcan carried the nickname “Flying Pig”.
The YC-123 was fitted with skis, wing floats, and a host of other devices with the idea of having an aircraft that could fly (and land) just about anywhere.
VB-17G (44-83259) was a VIP transport for General Carl Spaatz during the time he was the Air Force’s first Chief of Staff. The aircraft was nicknamed “Boops” after his daughter.
Boeing’s XAT-15 was a promising trainer but was elbowed aside in favor of other designs. Somewhat of a throwback in construction (it used a lot of wood), the aircraft is seen here at Boeing’s Wichita plant (note the Stearmans in the background).
The XB-24N (44-48753) was another one-off Liberator, but not too bad an idea. It did illustrate that a B-24 was doable with only a single horizontal stabilizer.
The Vultee Vulture in its original configuration. With the snug-fitting engine cowl and nacelle, one could easily mistake the aircraft for having a liquid-cooled engine. It did not, but the engine didn’t like it so Vultee eventually opted for a more conventional open cowl.
The XB-24J (42-73130) was a one of a kind aircraft that incorporated the nose of a B-17G. (Translation: Okay, maybe that wasn’t such a hot idea after all.) Due to the numerous “Frankenstein” versions of highly modified B-24s, there must have been something about its design that caused engineers to have fantasies about modifying the aircraft into something it was never intended to be.

 

Hahn Air Base, 1956

T-33 16817 of the 50th Fighter Bomber Wing and F-86H 53-1429 of the 417th Fighter Bomber Squadron. The photo was taken April 28, 1956. Both aircraft would crash in the coming weeks.
417th FBS pilot explains the workings of the F-86 (53-1472) to an interested German civilian.
T-33A 51-6834 attracts a crowd of locals at the Hahn open house. When I was stationed in Germany, the annual “Flugtag” brought in huge crowds. Some came for the aircraft, others for the ice cream.
Air Policeman makes sure no one walks out the gate with a brand-new F-86.
T-33A 51-4502 assigned to Hahn’s 69th Tactical Missile Squadron. This aircraft was later sold to the Singapore Air Force and is now on display in that country.
T-33A hurries past the Hahn tower.
F-86H 53-1430 of the 417th FBS. This aircraft was the personal mount of Chuck Yeager when he commanded the 417th during this time.
417th FBS boss Chuck Yeager and pals with Yeager’s bird, 1430.