The Yanks Air Museum is located in Chino, California. In 1973, this collection of aircraft began with the acquisition of the Beech Staggerwing and since then the museum has acquired more than 200 aircraft. Many of the aircraft displayed at the museum are one-of-a-kind (usually meaning the last remaining example) and most of them can be flown (notice the dip pans under the airplanes).
F/A-18B Hornet
This two-seat carrier-borne aircraft was first produced in 1983. It has a top speed of 1.8 mach (1,133 mph), a cruising speed of 660 mph, and a range of 2,000 miles.
F-84E Thunderjet
This single-seat attack bomber was first produced by Republic in 1947. It has a top speed of 606 mph, a cruising speed of 483, and a range of 1,485 with tanks. According to the Museum display:
“The F-84 Thunderjet was the first jet fighter to fly across the Atlantic and the first jet fighter with air to air refueling. The F-84 was also the first USAF jet fighter to carry tactical nuclear weapons.”
CL-13B Sabre Mk. 6 (F-86E)
This jet fighter was first produced in 1948. It has a top speed of 710 mph, a cruising speed of 532 mph, and a range of 1,495 miles with tanks.
F-100C-25 Super Sabre
First produced by North American in 1955, this single-seat all-weather bomber has a top speed of 822 mph, a cruising speed of 593 mph, and a range of 575 miles. The F-100 was the first aircraft to exceed the speed of sound (760 mph).
F-106B Delta Dart
This twin-seat trainer/interceptor was first produced by Convair in 1958. It has a top speed of 1,525 mph, a cruising speed of 610 mph, and a range of 2,700 miles.
AV-8A (GR3) Harrier “Jump Jet”
This UK aircraft was first produced in 1969. It has a top speed of 731 mph, a cruising speed of 531 mph, and a range of 731 miles. According to the Museum display:
“The world’s most flexible aircraft, the Harrier is able to fly like a plane and take off and land like a helicopter. The Harrier pilot must be skilled at both.”
F-15A Eagle
This aircraft was first produced by McDonnell Douglas in 1976. It has a top speed of 1,650 mph, a cruising speed of 660 mph, and a range of 2,000 miles.
F-14A Tomcat
This aircraft was first produced by Gruman in 1970. It has a top speed of 1,544 mph, a cruising speed of 633 mph, and a range of 2,000 miles.
F-5E Tiger II
First produced by Northrop in 1973, the Republic of China Air Force (ROCAF) in Taiwan built 308 Tiger IIs. It has a top speed of 1.6 mach, a cruising speed of 645 mph, and a range of 870 miles.
A-4C Skyhawk
First produced by Douglas in 1958, this single seat attack bomber has a top speed of 649 mph, a cruising speed of 465 mph, and a range of 2,000 miles with tanks. According to the Museum display:
“The A-4 is the lightest and smallest jet fighter built by the United States. The single engine, single-seated attack jet served with distinction as both a land and carrier based attack aircraft.”
In addition to being used by the U.S. Navy and Marines, the A-4 was also used by the air forces of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Israel, Kuwait, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
F11F-1 Tiger
The Tiger, first produced by Grumman in 1945, was the first supersonic operational Navy jet fighter and the Navy’s first carrier-borne jet fighter. Only 200 of these aircraft were built.
RF-9J Cougar (F9F-8P)
This single seat carrier-based reconnaissance aircraft was first produced in 1954 by Grumman. It has a top speed of 714 mph, a cruising speed of 508 mph, and a range of 1,000 miles.
FJ-1 Fury
This single seat carrier-based fighter was first produced in 1945 by North American Aircraft. It has a top speed of 547 mph, a cruising speed of 432 mph, and a range of 1,500 miles with tanks. A total of 30 were built.
F-104C Starfighter
This aircraft was first produced by Lockheed in 1958. It has a top speed of 1,150 mph, a cruising speed of 575 mph, and a range of 850 miles. The plane shown below has never been flown—it was used to test new parts configurations—and was never assigned a USAF serial number.
More Airplane Museums
Jet Airplanes (Photo Diary)
More Jet Airplanes (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Hanger Two (photo diary)
Yanks Air Museum: Biplanes (Photo Diary)
Yanks Air Museum: World War II Fighters (Photo Diary)
Planes of Fame: Soviet Aircraft (Photo Diary)
Planes of Fame: P-38 Lightning (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Combat Jets (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Museum of Flight (Photo Diary)