Stinson L-5 Sentinel "Nuts To You"

The Stinson L-5 Sentinel was derived from the pre-war Stinson Model 105 Voyager. In 1941, the Army Air Corps purchased six Voyagers from Vultee Aircraft (which had acquired Stinson in 1940) for testing. By the time World War II broke out, liaison/observation aircraft had become a highly specialized group. The Army ordered the 105 model in quantity, designating it first as the O-62 ("O" for Observation), and subsequently as the L-5 when the type designation was changed, in 1942, to indicate "Liaison" aircraft. With short field takeoff and landing capabilities, and the ability to operate from unimproved forward airstrips, the two-crew L-5s were used during World War II for reconnaissance; delivering supplies to, and evacuating litter patients from, isolated units; rescuing Allied personnel from remote areas; laying of communications wire; transporting of personnel; and -- on occasion -- as a light bomber. Nicknamed "the Flying Jeep," the L-5 demonstrated amazing versatility, even landing and taking off from tree-top platforms constructed above a thick Burmese jungle which could not be cleared for more conventional airstrips. When the craft was produced specifically for the air ambulance role, its structure was enlarged and an additional door was added to accommodate stretchers (L-5B through L-5G). After WWII, the Sentinel served with distinction in the Korean War and continued in active service with the USAF until at least 1955, with some units still on the rolls until 1962 when the L-5G (the final variant) designation was changed to the Air Force's U-19B, while the Army's remaining L-5's were reclassified as U-19As. Limited Edition. Signed and Numbered by the Artist. See More...

Listen to your Elders

I do not know the artist... As far as I know he is no relation. The changing of the guard from the EC-121 to the AWACS... "Listen to your Elders"...

Republic F-105G Thunderchief, Wild Weasel

Republic F-105G, “Thunderchief”, “Wild Weasel”, AF Serial No. 63-8320 of the 561st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 35th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand. This F-105G was during Operation Linebacker II--the “Twelve Days of Christmas” for the assault and bombing on Hanoi and Haiphong. The operation was conducted from 18–29 December 1972 and saw the largest heavy bomber strikes launched by the US Air Force since the end of World War II. The first three missions of the operation were flown as planned with the F-105G Wild Weasel surface-to-air (SAM) suppression missions. On the second night, although an estimated 185 SAMs were launched and a number of the bombers were damaged, none were lost on the mission. On December 20th the North Vietnamese air defense forces anticipated strike patterns and salvo launched over 300 missiles into the target area. Two days before Christmas, SAM sites and airfields were added to the target list. Flying SAM suppression for the B-52’s. This aircraft scored 3 MiG kills in Vietnam with the 388th TFW, Korat RTAFB and is currently on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force, Dayton, Ohio. See More.

Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk

The 451st Flying Training Squadron (FTS) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing (FTW) based at NAS Pensacola, Florida. The mission of the 12 FTW is to provide instructor pilot training in the T-1A Jayhawk anf T-6A Texan II. The swept-wing T-1A is a military version of the Beechjet/Hawker 400A. It has cockpit seating for an instructor and two students and is powered by twin turbofan engines capable of an operating speed of Mach .78. The T-1A differs from its commercial counterpart with structural enhancements that provide for a large number of landings per flight hour, increased bird strike resistance and an additional fuselage fuel tank. A total of 180 T-1 trainers were delivered between 1992-1997. The T-1A Jayhawk is a medium-range, twin-engine jet trainer used in the advanced phase of Air Force Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training for students selected to fly strategic/tactical airlift or tanker aircraft. It is used also for training Air Force Combat Systems Officers in high and low level flight procedures during the advanced phase of training. See More.

General Dynamics F-111F Aardvark

The General Dynamics F-111 "Aardvark" was a medium-range interdictor and tactical strike aircraft that also filled the roles of strategic bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic warfare in its various versions. Developed in the 1960s, it first entered service in 1967 with the United States Air Force. The F-111 pioneered several technologies for production aircraft, including variable-sweep wings, afterburning turbofan engines, and automated terrain-following radar for low-level, high-speed flight. The 27th TFW, in various designations, has been assigned to Cannon AFB for over 45 years. The 27th TFW began conversion to the General Dynamics F-111E "Aardvark" in late 1969. The F-111A and F-111E models were not to remain long at Cannon, being replaced in 1972 with the more advanced F-111D. The older F-111Es were sent to RAF Upper Heyford, England and the F-111As being sent to the 474th TFW at Nellis or were converted into EF-111A Raven electronic warfare aircraft. The 522nd, 523rd and 524th Fighter Squadrons replaced their F-111D models, receiving upgraded F-111F model after the closure of RAF Lakenheath, England. The F-111F differed from the F-111D in having more advanced electronics which were nevertheless simplified and more reliable, along with improved landing gear. The F-111F was the final F-111 variant produced for Tactical Air Command, when the Air Force approved development of the variant in 1969. On 1 November 1991, the 27th TFW was re-designated the 27th Fighter Wing as part of an Air Force-wide reorganization. In June 1992, the 27th FW became part of a new major command - Air Combat Command. The Air Force F-111 variants were retired in the 1990s. Signed and Numbered prints are available directly from the artist. See More.

The US Air Force Thunderbirds T-38

The Thunderbirds are the air demonstration squadron of the United States Air Force (USAF), based at Nellis AFB in Las Vegas, Nevada. They tour the United States and much of the world, performing aerobatic formation and solo flying in specially marked aircraft. The name is taken from the legendary creature that appears in the mythology of several indigenous North American cultures. They are the fastest flying (multiple jet) flight demonstration team in the world. Since 15 February 1974 the Thunderbirds have been a component of the 57th Wing at Nellis AFB. Since 1953, they have flown in front of more than 390 million people. Due to the 1973 oil crisis, the team only flew six air shows and was grounded for some time. However, in 1974 they switched to the more economical T-38 Talon. In 1982, the Thunderbirds suffered a catastrophic loss during pre-season training on 18 January. While practicing the four-plane diamond loop, the formation impacted the ground at high speed, instantly killing all four pilots. The cause of the crash was determined by the USAF to be the result of a mechanical problem with the #1 aircraft's control stick actuator. This resulted in insufficient back pressure by the formation leader on the T-38 control stick during the loop. Visually cueing off of the lead aircraft during formation maneuvering, the wing and slot pilots disregarded their positions relative to the ground. The team's activities were suspended for six months pending investigation of the crashes and review of the program, then reinstituted using the General Dynamics F-16A Fighting Falcon. They upgraded to the F-16C (now produced by Lockheed Martin) in 1992. On 1 March 2013 the USAF announced that due to sequestration actions aerial demonstration team performances including that of the Thunderbirds would cease from 1 April 2013. See More.

Hughes OH-6A Cayuse Miss Clawd IV Capt Hugh Mills

"Miss Clawd IV" is a Hughes OH-6A Cayuse flown in Vietnam in 1972 by Capt Hugh Mills. The OH-6A was nicknamed the "Loach" from the initials LOH of Light Observation Helicopter. It was the principal scout helicopter used by the U.S. Army in Vietnam. The Loach was armed with the XM-27 Armament Subsystem comprising an M-134 mini-gun mounted on the left side of the aircraft with 2,000 rounds of ammunition. The crew normally consisted of a pilot and a crew chief who sat in the right rear seat armed with a M-60 machine gun on a bungee cord with 3,000 rounds of ammunition. In addition to this, assorted armament was carried by the crew depending upon their personal preferences. Doors were removed from the aircraft since they obstructed vision and made it difficult to get out in the event of a crash. Flying in the Aero Scouts was one of the most dangerous of all flying duties in Vietnam, only equaled by that of Dust Off pilots. In 1969 the Scout Platoon had 10 pilots at any one time. Eighty percent of that first 10 were wounded or killed. That rate remained fairly consistent. Many pilots did not stay in the unit long because it wasn't for everyone. In a 12 month period, there were approximately 20 different pilots. Lt Col Mills retired from the U.S. Army in 1993 with 26 years of service. Miss Clawd IV is now on display in the U.S. Army Aviation Museum at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Limited Edition Color Print, Signed and Numbered by the Artist. See More.

Bell ARH-70A Arapaho

The Bell ARH-70A is a light military helicopter designed for the United States Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH) program. With a crew of two and optimized for urban combat, the ARH-70A was slated to replace the Army's aging OH-58D Kiowa Warrior. The ARH-70A was built with off-the-shelf technology; the airframe was based on Bell's commercially successful Bell 407. An Army press release referred to the ARH-70A by the name Arapaho. Bell's ARH demonstrator, a modified Bell 407 (s/n 53343/N91796), first flew on 3 June 2005. The first flight of the ARH-70A was on 20 July 2006, at Bell's XworX facility in Arlington, Texas, by prototype #2 (s/n 53904/N44548). Limited Edition. Signed and Numbered by the Artist. See More.