Captivating Images Of Old Military Aircraft

An Air Force JC-130B practices catching a satellite “bucket” with grappling gear and winch at Edwards AFB, Calif., 1969. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

View from the cockpit of a US Boeing B-29 during bomb raid.

MEKONG DELTA, Vietnam -- An Air Force crew from the 211th Helicopter Squadron fly on a combat assault mission July 18, 1970 in a UH-1 Helicopter over southeastern Asia.

MEKONG DELTA, Vietnam — An Air Force crew from the 211th Helicopter Squadron fly on a combat assault mission July 18, 1970 in a UH-1 Helicopter over southeastern Asia.

1960's -- A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport turns at the end of the short runway at Bam Bleh, Vietnam. The transport was one of several taking troops of the First Cavalry Division back to their base camp at An Khe after an operation. Air Force aircraft made daily flights to fields like this one carrying troops and supplies to front line units. 23 November 1966.

1960’s — A U.S. Air Force C-130 transport turns at the end of the short runway at Bam Bleh, Vietnam. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

KOREA -- The F-86 Sabre, the United States Air Force's first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight Oct. 1, 1947. On September 15, 1948, an F-86A set a then-world speed record of 670.9 mph. As a day fighter, the airplane saw service in Korea in three successive series (F-86A, E, and F) where it engaged the Russian-built MiG-15. By the end of hostilities, it had shot down 792 MiGs at a loss of only 76 Sabres, a victory ratio of 10 to 1.

KOREA — The F-86 Sabre, the United States Air Force’s first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight Oct. 1, 1947.

1960's -- South Vietnam -- An Air Force F-100 Super Sabre fires a salvo of rockets at a jungle target. May 1967.

1960’s — South Vietnam — An Air Force F-100 Super Sabre fires a salvo of rockets at a jungle target May 1967.

1940s -- The vapor trails from two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft light up the night sky. The B-17 prototype first flew on July 28, 1935.

1940s — The vapor trails from two Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress aircraft light up the night sky. The B-17 prototype first flew on July 28, 1935.

Lockheed U-2A .

Lockheed U-2A in flight. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

The Kestrel could operate from grass, semi-prepared surfaces, or ship decks, offering great operational flexibility. Four adjustable exhaust nozzles beneath the wing rotated to provide thrust for vertical, backward or hovering flight as well as conventional forward movement.

The Kestrel could operate from grass, semi-prepared surfaces, or ship decks, offering great operational flexibility.

The YRF-84F flying underneath its B-36 carrier aircraft. FICON modifications included installing a hook in front of the cockpit and turning down the horizontal tail so it could partially fit into the B-36 bomb bay.

The YRF-84F flying underneath its B-36 carrier aircraft.

The museum’s XF-91 in its original configuration. The Thunderceptor’s wing had an inverse taper (meaning it was wider at the tips than at the roots). Also, the angle of the wing could be varied up or down in flight.

The museum’s XF-91 in its original configuration. The Thunderceptor’s wing had an inverse taper (meaning it was wider at the tips than at the roots).

F4F-3 Wildcat (foreground), SBD-3 Dauntless (center forward and background), and TBD-1 Devastator (center rear) aircraft on the flight deck of USS Saratoga, 1941.

F4F-3 Wildcat (foreground), SBD-3 Dauntless (center forward and background), and TBD-1 Devastator (center rear) aircraft on the flight deck of USS Saratoga, 1941. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

Avro Lancaster.

Avro Lancaster in flight.

The result of phosphorus bombs and how they worked on a Betty and a Zeke on Lakunai Field during the attack at Rabaul.

The result of phosphorus bombs and how they worked on a Betty and a Zeke on Lakunai Field during the attack at Rabaul.

Escadrille Lafayette.

Escadrille Lafayette.

Northrop P-61C-1-NO "Thunderstorm."

Northrop P-61C-1-NO “Thunderstorm.” These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

P-61B Project Thunderstorm, November 1946.

P-61B Project Thunderstorm, November 1946.

The sleek, highly maneuverable P-51 proved ideal for long range escort missions and an equal match to the Luftwaffe’s fighters. Pilots who flew it praised its maneuverability and visibility during close order engagements with enemy fighters.

The sleek, highly maneuverable P-51 Mustang proved ideal for long range escort missions and an equal match to the Luftwaffe’s fighters.

North American X-15A-2 carried by a NASA Boeing NB-52 mothership.

North American X-15A-2 carried by a NASA Boeing NB-52 mothership. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

SR-71, unofficially known as the "Blackbird," is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft. The first flight took place on Dec. 22, 1964. The U.S. Air Force retired its fleet of SR-71s Jan. 26, 1990, but returned them in 1995 until January 1997. Throughout its nearly 24-year career, the SR-71 remained the world's fastest and highest-flying operational aircraft.

SR-71, unofficially known as the “Blackbird,” is a long-range, advanced, strategic reconnaissance aircraft.

A U.S. Air Force Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant refuels from an Lockheed HC-130P Hercules tanker during the Vietnam War.

A U.S. Air Force Sikorsky HH-3E Jolly Green Giant refuels from an Lockheed HC-130P Hercules tanker during the Vietnam War. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.

A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52D-35-BW Stratofortress (s/n 52-669) dropping bombs over Vietnam. This aircraft was hit by SA-2 surface-to-air missile over North Vietnam during the "Linebacker II" offensive on 31 December 1972 and crashed in in Laos. The crew of six ejected, but only five were rescued.

A U.S. Air Force Boeing B-52D-35-BW Stratofortress  dropping bombs over Vietnam.

XB-51 Dragon Panther takes off. These old war aircraft images were photographed by military veterans and service members.