Archives of Aircraft

The Museum’s F/A-18C “Hornet”, BuNo 163435, has a long service history. It rolled out of the St. Louis McDonnell Douglas facility in 1987 and was transferred to the U.S. Navy Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 82 (nicknamed the “Marauders”) based at NAS Cecil Field, FL. From fall 1990 through spring 1991 the aircraft was deployed aboard USS America while it performed combat operations supporting Operation Desert Storm. Later, it served in VFA 81 (the “Sunliners”), based at NAS Oceana, VA. In June 2006 the Navy transferred the veteran aircraft to the Blue Angels.

The Grumman EA-6B “Prowler” is a twin-engine, mid-wing electronic warfare aircraft derived from the Grumman A-6 “Intruder” airframe.

The F-16B “Fighting Falcon” is the two-seat version of the highly-maneuverable F-16A, designed and built by General Dynamics (now Lockheed-Martin).

Conceived in the 1950s, the Republic F-105D “Thunderchief” delivered heavy bomb loads and took the brunt of the early Air War in Vietnam.

The Chance-Vought RF-8G “Crusader” is a supersonic US Navy jet, the reconnaissance version of the F-8 “Crusader” Navy fighter.

Developed and flown in 1927, the Texas Temple “Sportsman” is a light single-seat, high-wing monoplane.

One of the first private jets in production, the Learjet 24D became a favorite with easy low-speed handling, increased range, size, and speed.