Lockheed NC-121K Super Constellation

Ordered as a PO-2W Warning Star, it was re-designated WV-2 before delivery to the USN, while it was re-designated EC-121K in 1962 and soon thereafter to NC-121K. It was withdrawn from use on May 15, 1973, and scrapped on May 28, 1976. The Oceanographic Development Squadron Eight, or VXN-8, was deactivated Oct. 1, 1993 after 26 years. VXN-8 was the free world's only aviation squadron devoted solely to airborne oceanographic and geophysical survey. Home ported at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, VXN-8 was a fleet command under the administrative control of Commander Naval Air Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet and the operational control of the Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Fleet. NAVOCEANO's mission was to conduct multi-disciplinary ocean surveys and assigned scientific and technical programs with resultant products directed toward satisfying U. S. Navy and Department of Defense oceanographic needs for effective weapon and sensor system performance and safe and accurate navigation. VXN-8 aircraft, equipped with specialized instrumentation, provide a primary means for conducting world-wide surveys to obtain the basic data needed for preparation of required documentation. Further applications of collected data included government and private agencies in support of commercial and private navigation of seaways, commercial fishing industry and environmental pollution observation. Surveys were conducted within three separate dimensions: Geomagnetic and Gravimetric Survey (Project Magnet), Hydro-acoustic Survey (Outpost Seascan) and Arctic Ice Reconnaissance (Birdseye). Deployed aircrews operated autonomously throughout the world, often from remote airports which have little or no maintenance support. Known as "The World Travelers," the squadron was true to its name. Operations were conducted year-round in the Arctic and on all of the continents of the world except Antarctica. Despite the stresses of the operating environment, the squadron achieved a proud record of aviation safety. Since July 1, 1967, when the squadron was first commissioned, VXN-8 has flew more than 98,000 missions. Unlike the traditional gray of Navy aircraft, VXN-8's mission aircraft sport an international orange and white paint scheme to readily identify them as overt, non weapon-carrying platforms. The unusual paint scheme also included an officially sanctioned Warner Brothers cartoon character emblematic of the assigned mission: the Roadrunner for Project Magnet, El Coyote for Outpost Seascan and the Arctic Fox for Birdseye. See more.

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.