In 1978 General Dynamics converted the sixth F-16A into an Advanced Fighter Technology Integration (AFTI) aircraft in order to evaluate unconventional control of an aircraft in flight and later it was used as a testbed for JSF technology, It is now on display in the newest, fourth building at the NMUSAF.

Ex-USN F-4N 151424, originally ordered as an F4H-1, but redesignated F-4B-16-MC prior to delivery. The original dataplate is still present, which reveals she was built under contract number NOW63-0062, and accepted by the USN 19 November 1963. However, it also gives the c/n as 6341 for unknown reasons. Marked as F-4D 63-7660, of the 906th TFG at Wright-Patterson AFB during the 1980s.

Front seater's instrument panel. This is actually the cockpit section of F-4N 151424, which was used during the filming of the ABC TV Series "Call to Glory" for cockpit scenes. It is displayed as F-4D 66-7660, assigned to the 906th TFG at Wright-Patterson AFB in the 1980s. This wasn't my first time sitting in this airplane, but the last time it happened I was quite a bit shorter.

Photo by Jim Tunney.

Having survived three nuclear bomb blasts at the Nevada Test Site, the second prototype XF-90, suitably decontaminated, now serves to demonstrate the effects of these weapons in the Nuclear Deterrence exhibit at the NMUSAF.

Photo by Jim Tunney.

Ca.late 1944 or early 1945: TOS USAAF. 18 September 1947: TOS USAF. Ca.late 1950s or early 1960s: 605th Air Commando Squadron/24th Composite Wing, Howard AFB, Panama. 17 May 68: Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ for storage. 20 Mar 72: Flown to the Air Force Museum, where it was restored to represent a C-46 flying the "Hump" during 1944.

The LB-12 was merely the first LB-7 airframe modified with the latest R-1860 Hornet B engines for evalution. This did not last long as it was ready in June 1929 and wrecked on 30 August. It wears Wright Field project number P-555 with an X thrown in. Photo from: US Air Force

The Atlantic Fokker F.14 was a different aircraft from the Dutch Fokker F.XIV, having a parasol wing and cockpit aft of the cabin. The US Army placed a large order for 20 examples in 1931. These Y1C-14 aircraft were distributed over various airfields. The Y1 prefix, dropped in 1933, indicated 'funding from outside normal fiscal year procurement'. This airframe, 31-400, was fitted with the latest R-1820 Cyclone engine for evaluation at Wright Field, designated (Y1)C-14A. Dutch sources give construction number 1820. Photo from: US Air Force

The US Army bought two Vegas, both DL-1 aircraft with metal fuselages, built in Detroit. 31-405 was assigned to NACA at Langley and scrapped in 1935. The other one was 31-408, a DL-1B Special, designated Y1C-17. The fastest aircraft in the Army, it was used for an attempt at America's west to east transcontinental speed record, but crashed in Kentucky. Also, one L-5C Vega was impressed during WWII as 42-94148. Photo from: US Air Force

1942: TOS USAAF as AT-11 41-27600; assigned to Higley Army Air Field, AZ. Later to 975th Bombardier Training Squadron/321st Bombardier Training Group, Deming Army Air Field, NM. 1954: Remanufactured as C-45H and TOS with s/n 52-10893. 10/54: Kentucky ANG, Louisville, KY. 11/60: Federal Reformatory in Chillicothe, OH, as an instructional airframe. 1966: Ferried to the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field, OH. 30 Sep 21: Shipped to Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins AFB, GA.

1942: TOS USAAF as AT-11 41-27600; assigned to Higley Army Air Field, AZ. Later to 975th Bombardier Training Squadron/321st Bombardier Training Group, Deming Army Air Field, NM. 1954: Remanufactured as C-45H and TOS with s/n 52-10893. 10/54: Kentucky ANG, Louisville, KY. 11/60: Federal Reformatory in Chillicothe, OH, as an instructional airframe. 1966: Ferried to the Air Force Museum at Patterson Field, OH. 30 Sep 21: Shipped to Museum of Aviation, Warner Robins AFB, GA.

One of the last designs of the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Corporation of Ithaca, New York, the P-13 Viper fighter had pretty good performance and handling, but the Curtiss H-1640 Chieftain engine seen installed here had cooling problems that were never resolved. Prototype fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp as P-13A by September 1930 but no production. Aircraft lost at Wright Field on 1 October 1930 after catching fire in flight. Photo from: San Diego Air & Space Museum

2 Jul '39: TOS USAAC. 7 Jul 39: Fairfield Air Depot, Patterson Field, OH. 10 Jul 39: 1st Transport Squadron/10th Transport Group, Patterson Field. 31 Jul 42: Bowman Field, KY. For the next nine months the plane was assigned to numerous airfields. 9 Mar 43: Middletown, PA, Air Depot, then the 496th Air Base Squadron. 1944: Air Transport Command, Cincinnati, OH, for use as a ferry aircraft. 2/45: SOC with over 5,000 flight hours. Beginning 2/44 passed through several hands. 19 Sep 49: Crashed with fatalities. Repair with more owners as well as aerial application. 1970: USAFM. By 1977: Restored

Seen at an air show at Wright Patterson AFB in May, 1956, the "J' prefix is temporary when being used in test work.

July/86: TOS USAF; assigned to the 96th Bombardment Wing, Dyess AFB, TX. During its service life the aircraft flew primarily training missions, recording 4,882.4 flight hours during 1,071 sorties. It earned the distinction of being the first B-1B to reach 2,000 flying hours. By October/93: 9th Bomb Squadron/7th Bomb Wing, Dyess AFB, TX. 10 Sep 02: Flew to the Air Force Museum.

4th and last B-1A built; first with ejection seats instead of a crew capsule. 2/79: First flight. Ca.6/79: TOS USAF. Used primarily as an avionics testbed for the B-1B program. 16 Dec 86: Flew to the Air Force Museum. 2003: Became part of the AFM Loan Program after being replaced by B-1B 84-0051. 22 Oct 03: Trucked dismantled to the Strategic Air & Space Museum in Ashland, NE. By 2006: Placed on display indoors.

5/67: First flight. 1967: TOS USAF and assigned to the 9th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Beale AFB, CA. 21 Mar 68: Performed first operational sortie by an SR-71A when Ed Payne and Jerry O'Malley flew her over Vietnam. Over its career it flew more sorties (942) than any other SR-71, including 257 operational missions from Beale AFB, Palmdale, Kadena AB, Okinawa, and RAF Mildenhall. 27 Mar 90: Flew to the Air Force Museum.