Prussian Cavalry Officer Helmet

Note: This item is currently in storage. This spiked helmet, known as a pickelhaube (“point” and “bonnet or headgear”), was originally designed by King Frederick Wilhelm IV of Prussia in 1842. This helmet design was popular among the Russian and German militaries and police prior to and during World War I.  A variation of it is still seen today.

Photographs of the 8th Balloon Company

Note: This item is currently in storage.This collection of photos follows the 8th Balloon Company from training at Fort Omaha, Neb., to the Front. The 8th Balloon Company was one of 17 balloon companies to see combat in World War I.The company departed Fort Omaha for overseas duty on Jan. 17, 1918. After their arrival in France, the company moved

Project Man High Gondola

Project Man High was a series of three U.S. Air Force balloon flights to the edge of space in 1957-1958. The flights reached the stratosphere at around 100,000 feet to study the effects of high altitudes on humans. This gondola helped researchers gather important aeromedical data, and its flights provided valuable information for later spacecraft

Piper PA48 Enforcer

Note: This aircraft is currently in storage. The Enforcer is a turboprop-powered light close-support/ground-attack aircraft built by Piper Aircraft Corp. Lakeland, Fla. It is based on the well-known North American P-51 of World War II fame. By direction of Congress, the USAF evaluated the aircraft, beginning in 1983. Testing was conducted in 1984

Presidential Gallery Introduction

One of the most important missions of the United States Air Force is to provide fast, safe and reliable air transportation for the President of the United States and other high-ranking government officials. The U.S. Air Force has successfully fulfilled this critical airlift mission since 1945 by developing, operating and maintaining aircraft with

Propaganda Leaflet in German

Note: This item is currently in storage.Towards the end of the war, Bulgaria was the first of the Central Powers to surrender on Sept. 29, 1918. By Oct. 28, it was apparent that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was also contemplating surrender. The Ottoman Empire officially surrendered on Oct. 30, with the signing of the Armistice of Mudros. In the

Pratt & Whitney TF33 Turbofan

The Pratt & Whitney TF33 turbofan engine was developed from the highly successful Pratt & Whitney J57 engine core. Starting in 1960, the civilian version (designated the JT3D) powered the Boeing 707-120 and McDonnell Douglas DC-8 airliners. The TF33 military version powered the Boeing B-52H Stratofortress and KC-135s. Since that time, the U.S. Air

Piper J-3C-65-8

This Piper J-3 represents the contributions of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to the U.S. Air Force. The CAP was organized on Dec. 1, 1941, under the Office of Civilian Defense and in 1943 was transferred to the War Department. During World War II, CAP members flying their personal aircraft, such as the J-3, hunted for enemy submarines along the U.S.

Pratt & Whitney J57 Turbojet

The J57 turbojet was the first production jet engine to produce 10,000 pounds of thrust. The J57 featured a dual-rotor axial-flow compressor, which lowered fuel consumption over a wide operating range and improved the sluggish acceleration characteristic of previous jet engines.J57 production began in 1953. The same year, Pratt & Whitney was

Popular Songs of the AEF

Note: This item is currently in storage.This song booklet, compiled and distributed by the YMCA, was a staple among the soldiers of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.Click here to return to the Featured World War I Artifacts index.