RF-4B/C AN APQ-102A Side Looking Radar Booklet

A copy of the Goodyear Aerospace booklet on Planning & Flying the Mission with the AN APQ-102A Side Looking Radar for the RF-4B/C aircraft. Dated April 1967. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Download here or here or here (7.5 Megs)

Air National Guard RF-101G/H Photographic Reconnaisance Systems

A copy of the McDonnell Douglas Product Support manual for the Air National Guard RF-101GH Photographic Reconnaisance Systems. Dated 15 April 1968. Credit: Greater St. Louis Air and Space Museum

Download here or here or here (7 Megs)

72nd Scale Drawings

In the late 60’s and thru the 80’s, a number of small firms published things like this. This is a small pamphlet of 1/72nd camo and line drawings of American, British and German WWII aircraft.   

Download here or here or here (3.8 Megs)

F-15 Spin Test Program Notes

Another narrative from Jack Abercrombie on the early days of the F-15 Eagle project, A first hand account of the F-15 Spin Test Program. This narrative is part of Jack Abercrombie’s memoirs. Jack was an Aerodynamics Project Engineer from 1971 to 1978. Credit: Jack Abercrombie

Download here or here or here (12.3 Megs)

Additional blog info supplied by Jack Abercrombie here

Convair Model NX2 Atomic Plane Photos and Info

A number of  photos and drawings of the proposed

Convair Model NX2 Atomic Plane of the 1960’s.

Download here or here (2.7Megs)

Convair Model NX2 Atomic Plane Article

An article about the very serious attempt to make an atomic aircraft! Article is from the Science and Mechanics magazine, January 1961.

Download here or here or here(3 Megs)

A very good explanation is here

Douglas C-54G and R5D-5 Skymaster Flight Operating Instructions

A copy of the Flight Operating Instructions AAF Manual AN 01-40NU-1 for the Douglas C-54G and R5D-5 Skymaster aircraft. Dated 7 February 1952.

Download here or here or here (10.3 Megs)

Douglas C-54 Skymaster Pilot Training Manual (Alternate)

A copy of the Pilot Training Manual AAF Manual No. 50-14 for the Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft. Dated 1944.

Download here or here or here (58.3 Megs)

Douglas C-54 Skymaster Pilot Training Manual

A copy of the Pilot Training Manual AAF Manual No. 51-129-3 for the Douglas C-54 Skymaster aircraft. Dated 1 August 1945.

Download here or here or here (32.7 Megs)

F-4 Phantom II Accident Investigation Workbook

A great wookbook on the early F-4 Phantom II aircraft. Lots of info and tables on structure, loads, and dimensions. Dated December 1967.

Download here or here or here (20 Megs)

United States Naval Aviation 1910–2010 (Vol 1 & 2)

United States Naval Aviation 1910–2010 is the fifth and final hardbound edition of the series, which was initiated in 1960. That first issue celebrated the first 50 years of United States naval aviation and this two-volume set commemorates the centenary. Previous editions have proved an invaluable first-stop research tool to aviation, naval, and military historians. Note: I have combined the two volumes into one PDF. Written by Mark L. Evans and Roy A. Grossnick for the  Naval History & Heritage Command. Dated 2015.

Download here or here or here (23.9 Megs)

United States Naval Aviation 1910 - 1995

The fourth edition of the United States Naval Aviation
1910-1995 is a testimony to Naval Aviation’s achievements as it prepares to enter the 21st century and its first one hundred years of service. The Naval
Historical Center’s Aviation History Office has expanded on previous editions to make this chronology the quintessential reference work on Naval Aviation history. WEritten by  Roy A. Grossnick and William J. Armstrong, for the  Naval History & Heritage Command. Dated 1997.

Download here or here or here (12.9 Megs) 

F-18A D'Skunk Photos (Mystery F-18A)

The mystery McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A-11-MC Hornet No. 161925 has been identified as the “D’Skunk”. See yesterday’s post. It is finished in a truly striking scheme of segmented black and white which was no doubt applied as a means of recording and thus comparing visual data collected during testing.

So from the left side it is black on top and white on the underside and from the right side it is white on top and black on the underside.  This is a US Navy Test aircraft.

This F-18A Hornet that was flown by the Naval Air Test Centre at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland, commonly called "Pax River".

The machine wears the unflattering name of “D'Skunk” on either side of her spine undoubtedly bought about by her black and white coloring as well as full color national insignia with a thin white outline to make it stand out from the black background.  Another oddity is that is wears the designator 7T on its vertical stabilisers rather than the SD Air Wing designator worn by Naval Air Warfare Centre Naval Aircraft Division aircraft at Patuxent River. 

The only remaining mystery is why I have photos of it from before it was assigned in 1986?

Download here or here (1 Meg)

F-18A Mystery Painted Aircraft

This is McDonnell Douglas F/A-18A-11-MC Hornet No. 161925. Either I have been cooped up too long or my memory is just failing; but, I don’t remember why it is painted in this black and white scheme! Does anyone know? (Yes, I know that these are very poor Polaroid photos; but, it is all I have.) Please  leave a comment or email me.

Download the 6 photos that I have here or here (7 Megs)

Milestones of the Air

A copy of Janes Milestones of the Air book of 100 significant aircraft. Dated 1969.

Download here or here or here (33 Megs)

Bell 207 Sioux Scout Photos

A few photos of the Bell 207 Sioux Scout prototype helicopter of 1963.

From Wikipedia:The Bell 207 Sioux Scout was a modified Bell 47 helicopter, developed by Bell Helicopter under contract from the United States Army, as a proof-of-concept demonstrator for the Bell D-255 helicopter gunship design, featuring a tandem cockpit, stub wings, and a chin-mounted gun turret.”

Download here or here (2.6 Megs)

Additional McDonnell Aircraft Model 119 Photos

A collection of (107) McAir Model 119 photos that I have collected over the years. Some old and some new. Presented as a ZIP file for downloading. Note: This is a large file to download (180 Megs) Credit: Internet and as marked.

Download here or here (180 Megs)

Additional blog posts here

F-4 Model Guide

Another nice detailed guide of F-4 aircraft types. Lots of details. Credit: Joe Baugher                

Download here or here or here

F-4 Phantom Guide for the Masses

A good listing of all the F-4 types. Note: I have NOT validated all this info. But, it is a great start! Corrections and additions are here. Credit: Jay Chladek

Download here or here or here (0.4 Meg)

The Aircraft Year Book for 1953

A complete review of the events and developments in military and civil aviation in the nation along with a complete directory of aircraft, executives, statistics, chronology and agencies in United States aviation.

Download here or here or here (26.1 Megs)

Military Aircraft Recognition Manual

Military aircraft recognition pictorial manual. Silhouettes and photographs of US & UK and German, Japanese & Italian aircraft are included.

Download here or here or here (11.9 Megs)

American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep

A number of photos of the American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep.

From Wikipedia: “The American Helicopter XH-26 Jet Jeep (known as the XA-8 by its manufacturer) was an experimental tip jet helicopter developed in 1951 by the American Helicopter Company to meet a United States Army and Air Force (USAF) request for a collapsible and air-droppable observation helicopter.”

Download here or here (3.5 Megs)

Good close-up photos here