RB-36H 51-13739

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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.

Grumman FF

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The FF made up with innovation what it lacked in the “svelte and graceful” department.  What was so innovative, you ask?  It was the first US Navy carrier plane with retractable landing gear.  Pic #1 shows an FF-1 (9361) of VF-5B (USS Lexington).  It crashed in 1935.  #2 is an FF-2 (9371) of NAS Norfolk.  The hangars are those of Roosevelt Field, NY.

A-6A

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A-6A of the Naval Weapons Evaluation Facility pays a call at NAS Whidbey Island in the 1970’s.  This would not be its last visit to the island, in fact, it is ongoing: 149482 is now on permanent display outside Whidbey’s gate.

9482 is a real oldie. Delivered in 1962, it was the 16th Intruder, the first eight of those were built as the A2F. In ’62 of course, the services restructured their aircraft designations. There was already an A-2, 3, 4, & 5, so next up: A-6.