Vietnam & Cold War

This is the first generation of British-produced jet-powered medium bombers. It is notable for its high-altitude bombing capabilities and ability to perform tactical nuclear strikes. This warbird was active during the Vietnam War, Suez Crisis, Falklands War, Indo-Pakistani wars, and many conflicts on the African continent.

The MiG-17 first entered combat during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis of 1958, but it’s most associated with its service in the Vietnam War. It is a high-subsonic fighter aircraft that was produced in the USSR. For armaments, it carries two NR-23 autocannons, one N-37 autocannon, and two pylons with a 1,100-pound capacity.

The Grumman S-2 served as the United States Navy’s first purpose-built, single airframe, anti-submarine warfare aircraft. Its design was somewhat conventional, with propellers and twin radial engines. However, this aircraft is still used by some militaries to this day, like Argentina and Brazil.

The F-11 Tiger is a carrier-based US Navy fighter aircraft that travels at supersonic speeds. This warbird was widely used during the 1950s and 1960s. It came with four Colt Mk 12 Cannons and four hardpoints which could carry an Aero 7A “Rocket Package” or AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles.

The TA-4 Skyhawk is a subsonic light-attack aircraft used by the United States Navy and United State Marine Corps. They were heavily involved in the Vietnam War, and it is believed that this type of aircraft dropped the last bombs on North Vietnam before the end of the conflict.

Countless countries have utilized this supersonic jet fighter and interceptor. It was used regularly by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. This aircraft could reach top speeds of up to 1,386 mph. It’s most famous for being the victim of Operation Bolo, where the USAF destroyed half of the North Vietnamese’s MiG-21s without suffering any casualties.

The Vought F-8 is one of the last American aircraft to use guns as its primary weapon, earning it the moniker “The Last of the Gunfighters.” It may be more notable for its involvement in the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was instrumental in taking 160,000 pictures over six weeks that confirmed the Soviet Union’s establishment of MRBMs in Cuba.

The Bell UH-1D entered service during the Vietnam War and quickly received the nickname Huey. It performed almost every task imaginable, taking part in ground attacks, air assaults, cargo transports, aeromedical evacuations, search and rescue missions, and electronic warfare. Sometimes it was fitted with rocket launchers, grenade launchers, and machine guns.

The F-100 is an American fighter jet capable of traveling at supersonic speeds. It is actually the first United States Air Force aircraft that was capable of exceeding the speed of sound in level flight. F-100s served all throughout the Vietnam War.

Earning the nickname “BUFF” for “Big Ugly Fat Fella,” The B-52 cemented its legacy in aviation history as a long-range, subsonic, jet-powered, strategic bomber. The B-52 circled the border of the Soviet Union during the Cold War, serving as a deterrent to nuclear war. The B-52 fought valiantly and successfully in air-to-air combat using tail gunners in Vietnam.

The F-101 Voodoo is a United States Airforce and Royal Canadian Air Force supersonic jet fighter. They saw a great deal of services during the Vietnam War. These aircraft were also one of many used to monitor Russian activity in Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

American aces flew the F-105 in Vietnam. This aircraft performed most of the strikes in the first years of the Vietnam War. It is capable of supersonic flight as fast as Mach 2.1 (1,611 mph). In 1959 the Thunderchief set a world record for flight speed.

The T-2 Buckeye served to introduce Navy and Marine Corps students to jets. Every Naval Aviator and almost all the Naval Flight Officers from the late 1950s until 2004 trained in a T-2 Buckeye. It was finally taken out of service in 2004.

The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter is an American single-engine, supersonic air superiority fighter which was extensively deployed as a fighter-bomber during the Cold War. Created as a day fighter by Lockheed as one of the "Century Series" of fighter aircraft for the United States Air Force (USAF), it was developed into an all-weather multirole aircraft in the early 1960s and produced by several other nations, seeing widespread service outside the United States.

The Viet Cong nicknamed this aircraft “Whispering Death” during its use in the Vietnam War. The only American Army aviator to ever down a MiG during the Vietnam War, Captain Ken Lee, was flying one of these Mohawks when he did it. However, this aircraft was used for military observations just as often as aerial combat, utilizing its twin turboprop configuration.

Nicknamed “SLUF” for “Short Little Ugly Fella,” this carrier-capable subsonic light-attack aircraft served well in the Vietnam War because of its fuel efficiency compared to other turbojets. It also had more robust armaments than most similar aircraft.

An American tandem two-seat, all-weather, twin-engine, long-range, supersonic jet, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II served in the Vietnam War. The US Navy and Air Force claimed a combined 150 air-to-air victories due to this aircraft’s massive firepower, top onboard radar, and excellent acceleration properties.

As far as all-weather, twinjet, attack aircraft go, the Grumman A-6 is top of the line. The A-6E that we have is known for its single Norden AN/APQ-148 multi-mode radar and onboard computers with superior IC-based systems. Earlier versions of the A-6 Intruder served in Vietnam for their long-range capabilities and impressive 18,000-pound payload.

Similar to the T-2 Buckeye, the T-34 Turbo Mentor was a training aircraft. It is an unpressurized, tandem cockpit, low-wing turboprop engine aircraft. NASA has also used the T-34 for various research missions.