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  • Cold War Gallery Overview

    The Cold War dominated the second half of the 20th century. This confrontation grew out of the clash between the ideologies of the Western democracies led by the United States -- and the communist nations led by the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). The ever-present threat of nuclear

  • Cessna U-3A

    Popularly known in the U.S. Air Force as the "Blue Canoe," the U-3 is the military version of the Cessna 310 twin-engine transport. The prototype made its first flight on Jan. 3, 1953, and production for the civilian market began in 1954. In 1957 the USAF selected the aircraft for service as a light

  • Cessna T-41A Mescalero

    The T-41 trainer was a standard Cessna Model 172 light general aviation aircraft purchased "off-the-shelf" by the U.S. Air Force for preliminary flight screening of Air Force pilot candidates. The USAF ordered 170 T-41As in 1964, and an additional 34 in 1967. Most went into service at various

  • Cessna T-37B Tweet

    The T-37 is a twin-engine primary trainer used for teaching the fundamentals of jet aircraft operation and for flying on instruments, in formation and at night. Affectionately known as the "Tweety Bird," it was the first U.S. Air Force jet designed from conception as a trainer. Its flying

  • Convair F-106A Delta Dart

    The F-106 all-weather interceptor was developed from the Convair F-102 Delta Dagger. Originally designated F-102B, it was redesignated F-106 because it had extensive structural changes and a more powerful engine. The first F-106A flew on December 26, 1956, and deliveries to the Air Force began in

  • Convair F-102A Delta Dagger

    The primary mission of the F-102 was to intercept and destroy enemy aircraft. It was the world's first supersonic all-weather jet interceptor and the USAF's first operational delta-wing aircraft. The F-102 made its initial flight on Oct. 24, 1953, and became operational with the Air Defense Command

  • Cessna LC-126

    Needing a rugged aircraft with excellent performance for Arctic rescue service, the U.S. Air Force acquired 15 Cessna Model 195 aircraft in 1949. Designated the LC-126, these light utility transport aircraft were identical to the Model 195 except for the paint scheme, interior fittings, emergency

  • Convair B-36J Peacemaker

    Responding to the U.S. Army Air Forces' requirement for a strategic bomber with intercontinental range, Consolidated Vultee (later Convair) designed the B-36 during World War II. The airplane made its maiden flight in August 1946, and in June 1948 the Strategic Air Command received its first

  • Continental O-470-13A

    The O-470-13A powered the U.S. Air Force's Beech T-34A Mentor. This series of aircooled piston engines became available in the early 1950s, and they have also equipped the USAF's Cessna U-3A and many civilian general aviation aircraft.TECHNICAL NOTES:Type: Six-cylinder, air-cooled, horizontally

  • Callsign "Apple 1"

    Before it was converted from an HH-53, the MH-53M (serial number 68-10357) on display took part in the Son Tay Raid -- one of the most famous combat actions of the Southeast Asia War. Flown by Lt. Col. Warner A. Britton under the callsign "Apple 1," it carried the mission's "command element" on the