Tag: USAF

The Survivors: Northrop-McDonnell Douglas YF-23A Black Widow II Advanced Tactical Fighter

Northrop-McDonnell Douglas YF-23A 87-0800 (N231YF) “Gray Ghost” prototype in the Research and Development Hangar at Wright Patterson Air Force Base which was part of a tour at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio in 2009

The USAF Advanced Tactical Fighter (ATF) Program commenced in the 1970’s, then continued through the 1980’s and 1990’s, as a development, demonstration and evaluation program for a new USAF fifth generation fighter with stealth technology to complement and eventually replace the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter. Lockheed and Northrop proposals were accepted in… Read More The Survivors: Northrop-McDonnell Douglas YF-23A Black Widow II Advanced Tactical Fighter

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The Survivors: Northrop YF-17 Cobra – The Unwanted Fighter with Quite a Legacy!

Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" prototype 72-1569 at the Western Museum of Flight in Torrance, California (2015)

In 1972 the USAF Lightweight Fighter (LWF) Program was launched to develop a smaller, highly maneuverable, lower cost air combat fighter to complement and conduct roles not suitable for the highly capable but expensive McDonnell Douglas F-15A Eagle air superiority fighter. This program ultimately pitted two contenders in a fly off, the General Dynamics YF-16… Read More The Survivors: Northrop YF-17 Cobra – The Unwanted Fighter with Quite a Legacy!

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Rockwell OV-10 Bronco: The Observation and Counter Insurgency Specialist

West German Rockwell OV-10B Bronco (158309/99+33) target tug at the Luftwaffe Museum at Berlin-Gatow

Any (North American) Rockwell OV-10 Bronco fans out there? It is one of my favourite aircraft. I like the styling of the Bronco and it was a great success story for Rockwell as a light attack and observation aircraft. 360 OV-10 aircraft were produced between 1965 and 1986. OV-10 US Military Service The OV-10 first… Read More Rockwell OV-10 Bronco: The Observation and Counter Insurgency Specialist

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Avalon Australian International Airshow 2019 Night Show

RAAF McDonnell Douglas F/A-18B Hornet firing up the afterburners during the night displays of the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2019

During the Avalon Australian International Airshow 2019 (March 1st to 3rd) there was also a Friday night show. The glorious sunset made a great backdrop for the twilight flying displays and then the night program featured massive flare drops, aircraft pyrotechnics and yes, even unplanned grass fires! A crowd favourite was a single pass by a… Read More Avalon Australian International Airshow 2019 Night Show

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Hill Aerospace Museum – Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Short Bier”

USAAF Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress "Short Bier" at Hill Aerospace Museum (Hill AFB Ogden)

The Hill Aerospace Museum at Hill Air Force Base in Ogden, Utah has an incredible collection of USAAF/USAF aircraft. One of the more amusing sights within the Hadley Gallery of the museum is the nose art for “Short Bier“, a Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress bomber sporting the markings of the 493rd Bombardment Group (Heavy) of the… Read More Hill Aerospace Museum – Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress “Short Bier”

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IWM Duxford – Cold War Legend: F-111E Aardvark “The Chief”

IWM Duxford The American Air Museum USAF F-111E

A Cold War legend – USAF General Dynamics F-111E Aardvark “The Chief” (says it all really) at The American Air Museum, IWM Duxford during my visit in the summer of 2012. Swing wing, supersonic (Mach 2.5!), massive payload and with terrain following radar, what a beast! The F-111E strike bomber variant entered USAF service from… Read More IWM Duxford – Cold War Legend: F-111E Aardvark “The Chief”

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Kyneton Air Show 2017 – Part VI: Static Displays & Aircraft Departures

Continuing on from my attendance at the great Kyneton Air Show on Sunday April 23rd, 2017, lets take a look at the various aircraft on static display. I will also show some photos on activity around the Kyneton Airfield after the air show and visiting aircraft departures. Statics Post Air Show & Departures After the… Read More Kyneton Air Show 2017 – Part VI: Static Displays & Aircraft Departures

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