In the world of antique aviation, the
single-engine flying boat capable of flying off land or water, the
Sikorsky S-39 amphibian, is a legend, having a long and colorful
history and flying well into the ’50s. The very first of the S-39 type
was designed by the venerable Igor Sikorsky, and was, basically a
scale-down version of the twin-engine S-38. It was then decided
to redesign the light amphibian into a single engine configuration.
Flight test were satisfactory, but the overall performance was not up
to the expectations. The twin vertical fins were revised into a single
one, the complicated landing gear was modified, and a complete
aerodynamic clean-up implemented
WACO ASO, 1929
The acronym WACO stand for the Weaver
Aircraft Co., and the word WACO rhymes with Taco. The WACO Aircraft
Co. moved to Troy Ohio in 1923. It was officially known as the
Advanced Aircraft Co. at that time. WACO produced airplanes in Troy at
various locations around the city until the end of World War II. The
Waco Nine biplane firmly established "Waco" as a respected trademark
and in 1926, it became the country's most popular mass-produced
airplane, costing about $2,500 with a production rate of one per day.
About 75 men and boys built the airplanes in a former horse wagon
factory. A key to the low price of the Waco Nine was its relatively
inexpensive and readily available OX-5 engine. The engine's low power
limited the airplane's performance, however.
Grumman Widgeon, 1943
The smallest of Grumman's amphibians
developed for civil use, the Widgeon was conceived as a light personal
and executive transport, following the success of the larger Goose.
The prototype Widgeon flew for the first time in July 1940, but
America's impending entry into WWII stalled plans for civilian
production. The first production Widgeon was the military J4F1, a
three seat anti- submarine patrol and utility version for the US Navy.
The US Navy and US Army Air Force ordered large numbers of Widgeons
throughout the war years; in all, 176 Widgeons were built for military
service during the conflict. After the war, Grumman refined the
Widgeon for commercial use by altering the hull profile for improved
handling on water and increasing seating capacity for up to six.
Grumman built 50 of these as the G44A, while a further 40 were built
in France as the SCAN30.
Air Coupe, 1946
The first Aircoupe rolled off assembly
lines in 1937 and looked pretty much like this postwar model. The
aircraft was a concept machine, designed to safely put ordinary folks
into the air.
Cessna 140, 1947 A development from the Cessna 120, the Cessna 140 was a popular
two-seat general aviation aircraft through the 1950's and 60's. One of
the smallest Cessna's to be produced with flaps, the Cessna 140 was
the basis for many later Cessna trainers with its side-by-side
controls.
World War II Era
Boeing B-17G Flying
Fortress "Nine O Nine" World War II US strategic bomber displayed in the colors of the
"Nine O Nine", a B-17 that flew with the 91st Bomb Group in England in
1944. Called a "Flying Fortress" by reporters when it was introduced
in 1937 because of the many guns that were mounted on it for
protection, the B-17 enjoyed the status of one of the most popular
aircraft of WWII. Same type flown by Col. Robert Morgan and the crew
of the "Memphis Belle". Operated by the Collings Foundation
(Flights Available for a donation)
Consolidated B-24J
Liberator "Dragon and His Tail" World War II US strategic bomber displayed in the colors of the
"Dragon and His Tail", a B-24 flying with the 5th Air Force in the
Pacific Theater in 1944. Over 19,000 B-24s were built in WWII, making
it the most mass-produced bomber of the war. This aircraft is the only
remaining B-24 flying in the world. Operated by the Collings
Foundation.
(Flights Available for a donation)
North American B-25J
Mitchell "Tondelayo" World War II US medium bomber displayed in the colors of "Tondelayo",
a B-25 that flew with the 500th Bomb Squadron in the Pacific in 1943.
The B-25 is also the same type of aircraft flown in the famous
"Doolittle Raid" in 1942 as 16 B-25 aircraft took off from the
aircraft carrier USS Hornet for the first American raid on Japan.
Operated by the Collings
Foundation
Grumman TBM-3E Avenger
The TBM Avenger was
one of the most famous aircraft of WWII in Navy service. Originally
designed as a carrier-based torpedo bomber by Grumman Aircraft, the
Avenger found use as a close-support bomber, patrol aircraft, and even
a trainer and COD aircraft in post-war use. It was known as a the
largest single-engine, carrier-based aircraft of WWII. The TBM Avenger
owned by the Collings Foundation is a TBM-3E built by Eastern in 1944.
It was thoroughly restored to wartime condition after serving as a
fire-bomber in the early 80's. It is based at Stow, MA and has been
noted as being the most accurately restored example of the TBM
available on the airshow circuit.
Fieseler Fi-156 Storch World War II German observation aircraft. Able to take-off and
land in very short distances. Made famous in the daring raid to rescue
and recapture Benito Mussolini from partisan forces near the end of
WWII by German special forces. Operated by the Collings Foundation.
North American AT-6
Texan World War II US advanced trainer. The Texan was the aircraft that
pilots perfected their formation flying and attack flying skills
before progressing into fighter aircraft like the P-51 Mustang. This
particular AT-6 is painted in the colors of an AT-6 operated by the "Mosquitos",
a target-marking squadron in the Korean War. Operated by the Collings
Foundation. (Flights Available for a donation)
Boeing PT-17 Stearman Kaydet World War II US primary trainer. This aircraft was the first
aircraft a USAAF cadet would fly when training to become a fighter or
bomber pilot. Many pilots soloed in this aircraft and learned the
basics before going into more complex aircraft like the UC-78 or AT-6.
Operated by the Collings Foundation. (Flights Available for a
donation)
Cessna UC-78 Bobcat World War II US multi-engine trainer and utility aircraft. This
aircraft was the type a pilot would learn to fly on multiple engines
before transitioning to the heavy bombers like the B-17 or B-25. This
particular aircraft also flew after WWII with Revere Airways of the
greater Boston area. Operated by the Collings Foundation.
North American P-51 Mustang
Over 15,000 P-51 Mustangs in various
configurations were produced by North American Aviation between 1940
and 1945. Ordered by the British as a faster, more nimble
fighter that could fly higher and farther, and carry more ammunition
than the P-40, the Mustang was named buy the British purchasing
department. It proved to be an effective escort for allied
long-rang bombers across enemy territory during WWII.
Curtiss P-40M Warhawk
According to the USAF Museum, the P-40 was
America's foremost fighter in service when WWII began. The P-40
served in numerous combat areas -- the Aleutian Islands, Italy, the
Middle East, the Far East, the Southwest Pacific and some were sent to
Russia. P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft at Pearl Harbor, were
part of the Philippines invasion, were flown in China by the famous
Flying Tigers and in North Africa by the first AAF all-black unit, the
99th Fighter Squadron. With a reputation in battle for extreme
ruggedness, more than 14,000 were in service in the air forces of 28
nations.
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
"In the entire history of military aviation, there has never been an
airplane that could match the P-47 Thunderbolt for ruggedness and
dependability. The pilots who flew it into combat called it 'The
Unbreakable' and 'The plane that could do anything." They were
not far from wrong. P-47s often came back from combat shot full
of holes, their wings and control surfaces in tatters. On one
occasion a Thunderbolt pilot, Lt. Chetwood, hit a steel pole after
strafing a train over occupied France. The collision sliced four
feet off one of his wings - yet he was able to fly back safely to his
base in England." --
www.aviation-history.com
Douglas DC-3/C-47 Skytrain
Some think that the DC-3 is the most
successful civil aircraft ever built. Introduced in 1935, it
featured many technical innovations, including retractable landing
gear, wing flaps and variable-pitch propellers. The C-47, a
revised model, first flew in 1940. by 1944, over 90 percent of
the world's commercial aircraft were DC-3/C47s.
