The Southeast Asia War Gallery in the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio includes several bombers.
With regard to the Southeast Asia War:
A product of the Cold War, the Southeast Asia War (1961-1973) began with communist attempts to overthrow non-communist governments in the region. United States participation in the Southeast Asia War resulted from the policy of "containment," which aimed to prevent communism from expanding beyond its early Cold War borders. The containment strategy seldom led to major combat, but as with the Korean War (1950-1953), the US committed large military forces to protect an allied, non-communist government.
The main U.S. goal in the Southeast Asia War was to protect South Vietnam -- initially from a local communist insurgency and later from conquest by communist North Vietnam. The U.S. also hoped to prevent the spread of communism to other nearby countries. Although popularly known as the Vietnam War, U.S. efforts included military action not only in South and North Vietnam, but also in neighboring Southeast Asian countries.
Boeing B-52D Stratofortress
According to the Museum:
After it became operational in 1955, the B-52 remained the main long-range heavy bomber of the US Air Force during the Cold War, and it continues to be an important part of the USAF bomber force today. Nearly 750 were built before production ended in the fall of 1962; 170 of these were B-52Ds.
The B-52 has set numerous records in its many years of service. On January 18, 1957, three B-52Bs completed the first non-stop round-the-world flight by jet aircraft, lasting 45 hours and 19 minutes and requiring only three aerial refuelings. It was also a B-52 that made the first airborne hydrogen bomb drop over Bikini Atoll on May 21, 1956.
In June 1965, B-52s entered combat in Southeast Asia. By August 1973, they had flown 126,615 combat sorties with seventeen B-52s lost to enemy action.
This aircraft has a top speed of 638 mph, a range of 8,338 miles, and a ceiling of 49,400 feet. It carries more than 60,000 pounds of bombs.
Martin B-57B Canberra
According to the Museum:
After the Korean War began in 1950, the U.S. Air Force looked for a jet-powered medium bomber to quickly replace the aging, propeller-driven Douglas B-26 Invader. In March 1951 the USAF contracted with Martin to build the British Canberra in the United States under license. The Martin-built B-57 made its first flight in July 1953, and when production ended in 1959, a total of 403 Canberras had been produced for the USAF.
In 1965 the USAF sent two B-57B squadrons to South Vietnam. Until the last B-57B departed in November 1969, the 8th and 13th Bomb Squadrons flew many different types of missions, including close air support and night interdiction, in all combat areas in Southeast Asia.
This aircraft has a top speed of 570 mph, a cruising speed of 450 mph, a range of 2,000 miles, and a ceiling of 49,000 feet.
Douglas B-26K Courier Invader
According to the Museum:
The Counter Invader was a highly modified version of the Douglas A-26 Invader, a World War II attack bomber. Redesignated B-26 in 1948, the Invader served again during the Korean War (1950-1953), mainly as a night intruder against North Korean supply lines. It was removed from service in 1958, but in 1961 the USAF recalled many Invaders for use as tactical bombers in Southeast Asia. Combat duty and two decades of wear took their toll, and in 1964 the B-26s again were removed from service.
In 1966 the old bomber was resurrected once more when the improved B-26K Counter Invader returned to Southeast Asia for ground-attack missions along the Ho Chi Minh Trail. Modified by On Mark Engineering, the B-26K had a rebuilt fuselage and tail, strengthened wings, improved engines, reversible propellers, wing-tip fuel tanks and other refinements. Redesignated A-26As, Counter Invaders remained in Southeast Asia until 1969 and retired from USAF service.
This aircraft has a top speed of 323 mph, a range of 2,700 miles, and a ceiling of 30,000 feet. It has eight wing pylons capable of carrying 8,000 pounds of mixed ordnance, and 4,000 pounds of bombs internally.
Douglas RB-66B Destroyer
According to the Museum:
The B-66 was developed from the U.S. Navy A3D Skywarrior as a tactical light bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft. The RB-66B photo reconnaissance version became the first production series and totaled 145 of the 294 B-66s built. The USAF also developed a weather reconnaissance version, and various electronic countermeasures (ECM) versions.
ECM B-66s became very important elements in strikes against North Vietnam. They could detect enemy radar emissions and jam their signals, thereby confusing enemy defenses. In addition, some B-66s flew pathfinder missions, guiding F-105 and F-4 bombing strikes through bad weather.
This aircraft has a top speed of 585 mph, cruising speed of 525 mph, a range of 1,800 miles, and a ceiling of 43,000 feet.
More Air Force Museum Exhibits
Air Force Museum: Southeast Asia cargo aircraft (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Southeast Asia air support aircraft (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Cold War bombers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: World War II bombers (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: B-29 Walk-through Fuselage (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: North American B-25 B Mitchell (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Cold War Boeing airplanes (photo diary)
Air Force Museum: Some experimental aircraft (photo diary)
