The National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio displays several Cold War era airplanes.
Lockheed T-33A Shooting Star
According to the Museum:
The two-place T-33 jet was designed for training pilots already qualified to fly propeller-driven aircraft. It was developed from the single-seat F-80 fighter by lengthening the fuselage about three feet to accommodate a second cockpit.
Originally designated the TF-80C, the T-33 made its first flight in 1948. Production continued until 1959 with 5,691 T-33s built. In addition to its use as a trainer, the T-33 has been used for such tasks as drone director and target towing, and in some countries even as a combat aircraft. The RT-33A, a reconnaissance version made primarily for use by foreign countries, had a camera installed in the nose and additional equipment in the rear cockpit.
The T-33 is one of the world's best-known aircraft, having served with the air forces of more than 20 different nations over several decades.
This aircraft has a top speed of 525 mph, a cruising speed of 455 mph, a range of 1,000 miles, and a ceiling of 45,000 feet.
Beech T-34A Mentor
According to the Museum:
The U.S. Air Force used the T-34A for primary flight training during the 1950s. The original Mentor, a Beechcraft Model 45 derived from the famous Beechcraft Bonanza, was first flown in December 1948. The first military prototype, designated YT-34 by the USAF, made its initial flight in May 1950.
After extensive testing, the USAF ordered the Mentor into production as the T-34A in early 1953. The first production T-34A was delivered to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., in October 1953 for evaluation, and deliveries to the Air Training Command began in 1954.
The Mentor remained the standard USAF primary trainer until the introduction of the Cessna T-37 jet trainer in the late 1950s. As they were replaced by T-37s, many T-34s were turned over to base aero clubs. In all, the USAF acquired 450 T-34As. Three hundred fifty were built in the United States and 100 more were produced in Canada under license. The U.S. Navy and 10 foreign militaries also used the T-34.
This aircraft has a top speed of 191, a range of 821 miles, and a ceiling of 20,000 feet.
Grumman OA-12 Duck
According to the Museum:
The OA-12 Duck is the U.S. Air Force version of the Navy J2F-6 amphibian. Derived from the XJF-1 that first flew in 1933, the J2F series aircraft were used primarily by the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, before and during World War II.
One famous Duck served with the U.S. Army Air Forces during the war. In early 1942 members of the 20th Pursuit Squadron in the Philippines salvaged a damaged Navy J2F, which had been abandoned. Flying this Duck across enemy lines to obtain critical supplies for the defenders of Bataan and Corregidor, the pilots also brought a little candy for the nurses, which earned the aircraft the nickname The Candy Clipper.
After the war, the U.S. Air Forces' Air Rescue Service needed special aircraft for overwater missions, and in 1948 the USAF acquired eight surplus Navy J2F-6s. Designated the OA-12, five of these aircraft went to Alaska for duty with the 10th Air Rescue Squadron, and the other three apparently went to an allied country under the Mutual Defense Assistance Program.
This aircraft has a top speed of 188 mph, and a range of 780 miles.
Cessna LC-126
According to the Museum:
Needing a rugged aircraft with excellent performance for Arctic rescue service, the U.S. Air Force acquired 15 Cessna Model 195 aircraft in 1949. Designated the LC-126, these light utility transport aircraft were identical to the Model 195 except for the paint scheme, interior fittings, emergency escape hatch and radio equipment. Delivered in January 1950, each LC-126 came equipped with an interchangeable set of floats and skis to permit operation from land, snow or water.
This aircraft has a top speed of 175 mph, and a range of 852 miles.
Grumman HU-16B Albatross
According to the Museum:
Grumman designed the versatile Albatross to meet a U.S. Navy requirement for an amphibious utility aircraft which could also operate from snow and ice with skis. During the Korean War, Albatrosses rescued almost 1,000 United Nations personnel from coastal waters and rivers, often behind enemy lines. They also made numerous dramatic and hazardous rescues in Southeast Asia, on occasion taxiing many miles over rough, open water when unable to take off.
The prototype first flew on Oct. 24, 1947, and soon after the U.S. Air Force ordered a quantity for air-sea rescue duties as SA-16As. Grumman delivered 297 A models to the Air Force, mostly for the Air Rescue Service. In 1962 the USAF changed the designation to HU-16.
In 1955 Grumman developed an improved version with a 16 1/2 foot increase in wingspan and larger aileron and tail surfaces. Beginning in 1957, many A models were converted to the B configuration with these improvements.
This aircraft has a top speed of 250 mph, and a range of 1,650 miles.
De Havilland U-6A Beaver
According to the Museum:
From 1952-1960, De Havilland Aircraft of Canada manufactured the U-6A (designated L-20 until 1962), delivering nearly 1,000 to the United States' armed services. Although flown mostly by the U.S. Army, the U.S. Air Force employed more than 200 U-6As, primarily for aeromedical evacuation. However, the USAF also used the U-6A aircraft for courier service, passenger transport, light cargo, reconnaissance, rescue and aerial photography missions. The U-6A saw USAF service in both the Korean and Southeast Asia Wars.
This aircraft has a top speed of 163 mph and a range of 455 miles.
Piper J-3 Cub
According to the Museum:
The Piper J-3 Cub aircraft was designed in 1937 and produced continuously until early in 1942. Beginning in 1939, nearly 75 percent of the primary trainers in the U.S. government's civilian pilot training program were J-3s. In 1942 Piper ceased producing civilian aircraft and began producing the militarized version of the J-3, identified by the Army Air Forces (AAF) as an L-4.
This Piper J-3 represents the contributions of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) to the U.S. Air Force. The CAP was organized on Dec. 1, 1941, under the Office of Civilian Defense and in 1943 was transferred to the War Department. During World War II, CAP members flying their personal aircraft, such as the J-3, hunted for enemy submarines along the U.S. coasts, reported damaged ships, towed aerial targets, and delivered high priority orders of vital war materials. After the war Congress charted the organization in 1946 as a benevolent, non-profit organization and in 1948 designated it as a civilian auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. It provides emergency services in times of local or national disasters, including search and rescue, courier service, mercy missions, and emergency radio communications. It also provides aerospace education and training for its members, supports the USAF, and promotes the development of aviation and aerospace technology.
This aircraft has a top speed of 87 mph, a cruising speed of 73 mph, a range of 220 miles, and a ceiling of 11,500 feet.
More airplanes
Air Force Museum: Cold War bombers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Cold War Boeing airplanes (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Southeast Asia cargo aircraft (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Southeast Asia air support aircraft (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Fairchild C-82 Packet (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Vertical takeoff aircraft (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Sabrejets (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: MiGs (photo diary)