Aircraft Recognition Pictorial Manual

A copy of the War Department (FM 30-30) and Navy Department’s (Buaer 3). Aircraft Recognition Pictorial Manual. Dated June 1943.

This manual on aircraft recognition is primarily designed for self-instruction and general use but will also serve as a text in recognition courses. It includes four types of material: black and white silhouettes; wash drawings; photographs; and editorial matter. The material in this manual has been assembled and edited jointly by Army and Navy aviation training divisions.

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Continental Airlines-The First Fifty Years

A history of Continental Airlines from 1934 to 1984.

Great history of an american airline.

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McDonnell Space Shuttle Concepts

 Several McDonnell Douglas Space Shuttle concepts. Over the years, the concepts changed greatly. I Wind Tunnel tested the concept on the right above.

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Model 119A USAF Flight Evaluation Report

A better partial copy of the USAF Flight Evaluation Report for the McDonnell Model 119A. Report #AFFTC-TR-59-25, dated September 1959.

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NACA XF-85 Wind Tunnel Research Memorandum

 A copy of the McDonnell XF-85 NACA Langley Wind Tunnel research memorandum involving 1/10th stability and control Goblin scale model. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

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Navy F-4G Aircraft Photos

Twelve F-4Bs were modified as F-4Gs (a Navy designation, not to be confused with the USAF F-4G, which was a Wild Weasel aircraft). The Navy F-4G was a version modified for the evaluation of the feasibility of automatic carrier landing operations. They were fitted with the AN/ASW-21 two-way data link communication system and approach power compensator. The first F-4G flew on March 20, 1963, and these twelve aircraft were flown by VF-213 from the USS Kitty Hawk (CVA-63). They operated in the Gulf of Tonkin from November 1965 until June of 1966. One was lost to North Vietnamese AAA, but the others were later brought back to F-4B standards. By 1975, the last F-4Bs were out of Navy service. Most of them were replaced by later-model Phantoms (primarily F-4J and F-4S) and were consigned to storage. However, conversions to F-4N managed to extend the effective life of some F-4B airframes well into the 1980s. The early Navy F-4G’s had an all over green camo paint scheme with white radomes!

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Aerospace Museum of California Photos

Mark Nankivil, president of the Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum, sent 110 photos taken by himself at the the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, CA. Dated May 6, 2017.

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Boeing X-32B JSF Walk Around Photos

Walk around photos of the Boeing X-32B JSF prototype. This X-32B is on display at Patuxent River Naval Air Museum. Credit: Michael Benolkin

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More McDonnell LBD-1 Gargoyle Photos

Some more factory photos of the McDonnell LBD-1 Gargoyle. Credit: Bill Spidle

“The LBD-1 Gargoyle (later KSD-1, KUD-1 and RTV-N-2) was an American air-to-surface missile developed during World War II by McDonnell Aircraft for the United States Navy. One of the precursors of modern anti-ship missiles, it was extensively used as a test vehicle during the late 1940s.” (Wikipedia)

Other blog posts here

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Aircraft on Trailers

A number of photos showing how damaged aircraft are moved. Unusual to see this process!

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A-12 Avenger II Mockup Transfer Photos

The McDonnell Douglas/General Dynamics A-12 Avenger II on the truck during its ride from its former home at the old General Dynamics plant at the former Carswell Air Force Base, now known as Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth. General Dynamics donated the Avenger II mockup to the City of Fort Worth, which has placed the airframe on permanent loan to the Fort Worth Aviation Museum. The mockup was moved in June 2013. Credit: Bill Spidle

Youtube video here

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Fisher P-75 Eagle Photos

 A number of photos and 3-views (77) of the interesting Fisher P-75 Eagle aircraft. Credit: Some photos by Jean Aker

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Boeing Supersonic Transport (SST) Articles and Info

Several articles and other info on the Boeing SST (Supersonic Transport)
proposal and mock-up.

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2000 Posts Milestone

Today I have achieved 2000 posts in this blog after seven years blogging! A large milestone for me! Thanks to all the viewers for their encouragement over the years.

F-15E Strike Eagle Walk Around Photos

F-15E Strike Eagle Walk Around
Photos. Dated 2009. Credit: Michael Benolkin

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Douglas AD-4N Skyraider Walk Around

Walk around photos of the Douglas AD-4N Skyraider in French markings. Photos were taken of a  Douglas AD-4N Skyraider in EC (Escadre de Chasse = fighter squadron) 1/20 Aures-Nementcha markings (July 1960 - Sept 1963), French air force. Pictures taken at BAN Lanvéoc-Poulmic on 06/19/05. Credit: P. Salaun

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Grumman F6F-3/5 Flight Manual

A copy of the Grumman F6F-3/3N/5/5N Flight Manual. Dated 1946.


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Buran Space Shuttle Photos

                                                            





A number of photos of the Russian Buran Space Shuttle.

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F-15 Project Development History

A first hand account and summary of the F-15 program and Flight Test Program at Edwards Air Force Base. Credit: Jack Abercrombie and Mike De Garcia

A note from Jack Abercrombie: Ron--The F-15 Development Summary recently posted is an early version which contains a typographical error which I later corrected.  The "First Achievement of Mach 2.5..." shows a date of 23 August 1973.  The date should be 13 August.

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F-4 Official USAF Color Information

From USAF handbook Technical order TO 1-1-4.
Standard System color numbers refer to the Federal Standard system 595 with 5 digit numbered colors. Deviations on real aircraft may occur. Credit: International Plastic Modellers' Society Netherland

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McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II Walk Arounds

Two McDonnell Douglas F-4C Phantom II Walk Arounds. Some nice detail shots of a F-4C #MC-23-64-0776 at the National Museum of the Air Force in Dayton, Ohio and legendary ace Robin Olds F-4C # 64-0829 (Scat XXVII) at the Museum of Flight, Seattle, Washington. Credit: Michael Benolkin

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Douglas AD-4NA Skyraider Walk Around

Douglas AD4NA Skyraider Walk Around series. Photos were taken at The Imperial War Museum at Duxford In Cambridgeshire, England. Credit: Andrew J. Worstencroft

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USAF Thunderbirds Support Manual

A copy of the USAF Thunderbirds Support Manual. Dated 2018.

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