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  • Flying the U-2

    The U-2 is a difficult airplane to fly. With its long wings, light construction, and unusual landing gear, the Dragon Lady has always been a challenge even for the best pilots. As a result, there have been several accidents and fatalities over the years. When flying at high altitude, early U-2s had

  • F-111A Escape Module

    Note: This artifact has been moved to storage.This cockpit crew escape module on display is the first one ever used to save the lives of its occupants. On Oct. 19,1967, two General Dynamic contractor pilots flying F-111A (s/n 63-9780) over Texas were required to eject the module when the plane

  • F-102 Armament

    The missiles mounted on this F-102 are from the Hughes "Falcon" family of air-to-air missiles. In the weapons bay are AIM-4A radar guided missiles in the forward positions and AIM-4D infra-red guided missiles in the rear position. On the bottom center rail is an AIM-26A, a kiloton range nuclear

  • Ford Aerospace AN/AVQ-26 Pave Tack

    Pave Tack is a laser designator pod used with selected F-4E, RF-4C and F-111 aircraft for precision navigation, target location and target designation. The pod weighs 1,300 pounds and uses an imaging infrared thermal detector to provide a clear view of targets in day, night or adverse conditions.

  • F-16 Sit-in Cockpit

    The F-16 flight simulator is an accurate reproduction of an F-16 cockpit. It was used to train pilots in procedures and techniques without the cost and hazards of practicing in an aircraft. Emergencies could be set up for the pilot to recognize, practice and overcome that would not be possible or

  • F-4D Phantom II Sit-in Cockpit

    Note: Visitors are permitted to sit in this cockpit.This forward fuselage section of a Navy F-4B (BuNo 151424) was used in the ABC television series "Call to Glory" when cockpit scenes of the F-4 were needed. It was refurbished and marked as a USAF F-4D (S/N 66-7660) assigned to the 906th Tactical

  • Five Stars in Space: Hap Arnold's Rank Insignia Orbit the Earth

    These 5-star general's insignia belonged to Henry "Hap" Arnold, and they flew aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2011. Flying Arnold's insignia in space symbolized the U.S. Air Force's drive to expand the limits of technology. In 1945 Gen. Arnold anticipated that spaceflight would eventually

  • Family Odysseys: Working at Home for POW-MIAs

    Families of Americans captured in Southeast Asia could not be sure whether missing servicemen were alive or dead, since North Vietnam refused to release a list of prisoners. Quiet Diplomacy Initially, the U.S. government urged families to remain silent because public outcry might make POW treatment

  • Final Combat: The Mayaguez Incident at Koh Tang

    After South Vietnam fell to communist forces, the U.S. was again involved in combat in Southeast Asia. In May 1975, the Cambodian Khmer Rouge navy seized the American cargo ship SS Mayaguez and its crew of 39 in international waters. President Gerald Ford acted decisively to rescue the crew. The

  • F-111A in Southeast Asia

    At the start of Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965, the U.S. Air Force did not have an all-weather precision fighter-bomber. The highly-advanced F-111A provided this vital capability. Introduced to combat prematurely in 1968, the F-111A later returned triumphantly to play a key role in Linebacker