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  • Lifeboat from the Sky

    The Edo company developed this model A-3 lifeboat in 1947. Modified B-29 bombers, known as SB-29s, carried these boats. SB-29s accompanied bomber formations to the coast of North Korea and circled there while the bombers hit targets inland. If a returning bomber had to ditch in the ocean, a lifeboat

  • Lt. Col. George A. Davis Jr.

     Lt. Col. George Andrew Davis Jr. was a P-47 fighter ace in the Pacific theater in World War II, with seven victories to his credit. In October 1951 he went to Korea as commander of the 334th Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group. Within a few months, he became the leading ace of the Korean War.On

  • Lockheed F-94A Starfire

    Developed from the T-33 Shooting Star, the two-place F-94 was the first American all-weather jet interceptor and the first U.S. production jet to have an afterburner. The large radar in the nose permitted the observer in the rear seat to locate an enemy aircraft at night or in poor weather. The

  • Lockheed F-80C Shooting Star

    The Shooting Star was the first American aircraft to exceed 500 mph in level flight, the first American jet airplane manufactured in large quantities and the first U.S. Air Force jet used in combat. Designed in 1943, the XP-80 made its maiden flight on Jan. 8, 1944. (The aircraft was redesignated

  • Liaison Pilots

    *Artifacts from this exhibit have been temporarily removed for conservation.World War II produced another group of enlisted pilots, whose wings bore an "L" in the center, to fly light single-engine liaison aircraft. Included were many enlisted aviation students who washed out of pilot training after

  • Legacy of Equality

    The Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves equal to white fliers and support troops, but black Airmen remained segregated after the war. However, they had made it obvious to many leaders, President Harry S. Truman in particular, that segregation in the military was morally wrong, inefficient and should

  • Link Trainer

    Crude pilot training aids had been designed even before World War I, but none had any significant training value. Edwin A. Link provided a giant step forward when in 1931 he received a patent on his "pilot maker" training device. He had perfected his design in the basement of his father's piano and

  • Lt. Max Lewis Uniform

    Note:  This exhibit has temporarily been removed from display.Items worn by B-25 crewman 1st Lt. Max Lewis, a member of the 445th Bomb Squadron, 321st Bomb Group, 12th Air Force. Items include a sweater, nametag, pilot wings, navigator wings, distinguished unit citation for the 321st Bomb Group,

  • Lt. Anthony Savoca Uniform

    Note:  This exhibit has temporarily been removed from display.Items used by Lt. William A. Savoca, a B-26 Marauder bombardier-navigator with the 320th Bomb Group, 12th Air Force, including A-11 flying gloves, tan service hat, A-11 flying helmet and AN-6550-34 flight suit.Click here to return to the

  • Long Cold Flights and Long Cold Days

    Attempting to stay warm during the long missions in the cold cockpit of the P-38, many pilots in Europe chose to wear the Army winter combat jacket that was popularly known as a "Tanker Jacket." 2nd Lt. John Carroll of the 55th Fighter Group was wearing this jacket when he was shot down over Holland