The B-50

B-50’s of the late 1940’s & early 1950’s. First up is B-50 (46-044) of the 43rd Bomb Wing on final to its home at Davis-Monthan AFB. On the nose is the group’s motto “Kensmen.” 47-0161 is up next. Last, 49-337 of the 509th Bomb Wing.

F-86E (52-2857) of the 336th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

The pilot, Peter J. Frederick, was credited with shooting down two MiG-15’s. (The kills are painted below the canopy) Frederick later flew F-105’s in Vietnam with the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Sadly, he was shot down on March 15 1967. His remains were recovered in 2004. The second photo is from the yearbook of the 4th Fighter Interceptor Wing. RIP

DB-47E, Formerly of the 321st Bomb Wing, Pinecastle AFB.

Upon closer examination, an XGAM-63 Rascal missile is seen attached to the right wing. This means that this Stratojet is one of two B-47s modified for testing said weapon, the Air Force’s first nuclear-armed standoff missile. Such a device came at a premium: at 2.2 million dollars, the Rascal cost more than its B-47 mothership.

B-47 crew out on a visit

SAC often sent aircraft and crews to civilian airports in order to disperse the bomber force. This B-47E (53-2143) of the 307th Bomb Wing, Lincoln AFB, is seen at Chicago O’Hare airport in 1960.

526th Fighter Interceptor Squadron

F-102 pilots pose in front of the alert facility at Ramstein Air Base in 1961. The aircraft, 56-1217, crashed in 1969.

Record breaking P-80

P-80 44-85123 has had a long career. Used to set several world speed records in the 1940’s, it is preserved today at Edwards AFB.

Early days of the USAF

A pair of P-80’s of the 56th Fighter Group. 45-8320 is from the 61st Fighter Squadron, Jet. 44-85464 is from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Jet. It wears the kill markings of Group CO, Dave Schilling.

Now, that’s an airshow

P-80’s, 27th Fighter Squadron, Jet.

(“Fighter Squadron, Jet” – Yep, that was its actual name)

Desert Storm Weasel F-4G

69-7234, lately of Spangdahlem Air Base’s 480th TFS, is seen here at Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain during the Gulf War of 1991. While assigned there, the aircraft was part of the 3552nd Tactical Fighter Squadron. Interestingly, 234 was the only aircraft at that base that still retained the old green & gray “European 1” paint scheme.

P-80’s

(45-8333) of the 63rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, P-80 (44-85275) of the 61st FIS, and 45-8335 of the 335th Fighter Squadron, Jet Propelled.

Martin RB-57A

432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Shaw AFB. This aircraft, 52-1444, was later reassigned to Shaw’s 363rd TRW, but crashed in 1958.

C-47, 103rd Fighter Interceptor Squadron

Pennsylvania Air Guard, out for a drive.

Convair in the 1950’s had something for everybody!

XB-48 and XB-51

A couple of Martin bombers that failed to enjoy a long life. #1, the XB-48 was no match for Boeing’s B-47, and #2, the XB-51 fared no better in its efforts to be the USAF’s premier tactical bomber.

The one and only XC-99 cranks ’em up.

The arrowhead insignia is that of the “San Antonio Air Material Area”.

B-36’s of the 7th Bomb Wing

Carswell AFB. #1 & 2 is 44-92060. #3 is 44-92077. Both are the B-36B.

RB-36H 51-13739

Nice view of a B-36’s defensive ability. Much has been said of the vulnerability of the B-36 – the USN even accused the USAF of suppressing such information. Of course it could be shot down, but as the Air Force (and the Soviets) knew well, intercepting fighters would never bag all the B-36’s. Even if only a handful got through, the nuclear weapons those few carried were deterrent enough.

B-36’s of the 7th Bomb Wing

Carswell AFB. The lower aircraft, 44-92010, is an A model used for training purposes. No guns noted. It was also converted in to an RB-36E.

F-5E Tiger & RF-4C Phantom

Sharing the spotlight at a late 70’s open house, this F-5 (73-0881) is from the 58th Tactical Training Wing at Luke AFB. Interesting in that it carries the insignia of the 405th Tactical Training Wing, also at Luke. I can’t find any record the 405th flew the F-5. Maybe they briefly did so? Maybe some guy slapped on the wrong sticker. The Photo Phantom is from the 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Bergstrom AFB.

Project Rough Rider

The Lockheed T-33 literally came in all shapes and sizes. This one (53-5404) is from Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) at Wright-Patterson AFB, and says “Project Rough Rider” on the nose. For a good reason too: It flew in to storms to measure the effects of hail. Though the insignia is that of Air Research and Development Command (ARDC), above it are the letters “AFSC”, the successor of ARDC. Apparently they hadn’t gotten around to putting on the new insignia. B-52’s of the 17th Bomb Wing are in the distance.

Korean War B-29

B-29 enlisted aircrew says “cheese”.

Early days of air refueling

B-50 hooks up to a KB-29P during air refueling tests over Puget Sound. (Bainbridge island in the background). This B-50, 49-265, was eventually converted in to a tanker itself. The KB-29, 42-93921, started life as a bomber but never saw combat.

Hollywood B-36

Now, I looked high and low to identify this B-36 unit. Great looking insignia, but my investigation revealed that this particular aircraft was used in a movie, and that the insignia is fictitious. Not a bad looking insignia though. This aircraft, 49-2652, when not leading a glamorous Hollywood life, was assigned to the 92nd Bomb Wing at Fairchild AFB, WA.

Young P-80’s in a hurry

These are early-birds – they wear the “P” for pursuit on their noses.