Warplanes of the USA: Arizona, Historical Photos
Historical photos of Arizona Warplanes
(USAF Photo)
North American F-51D Mustang pilots. Scramble, Luke AFB, Arizona, 1950s.
(USAF Photo)
North American F-51H Mustang (Serial No. 44-64455), 197th Fighter Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, 1949.
(USGOV-PD Photo)
North American F-86A-5-NA Sabre (Serial No. 49-1047), and (Serial No. 49-1164), 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, 1955.
(USGOV-PD Photo)
North American F-100A Super Sabre (Serial No. 53-1639), 152nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, 1965.
(USAF Photo)
Convair F-102 Delta Dagger (Serial No. 56-0981), 52nd Fighter Interceptor Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, 1964.
(USAF Photo)
Lockheed F-104B-5-LO Starfighter (Serial No. 57-1301), 197th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, 1959.
(MSgt. Paul N. Hayashi, USAF Photo)
Three German Lockheed F-104G Starfighter aircraft (Serial Nos. 63-13238, 65-12747 and 67-22517), with the 69th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron from Luke Air Force Base flying over Arizona. The F-104Gs were used for the flight training of Luftwaffe (German Air Force) pilots, and, although German, the F-104s had USAF markings. The F-104G (Serial No. 65-12747), had been licence-built by Messerschmitt with the German (Serial No. KE+398). All three planes were later sold to Taiwan.
(Rob Schleiffert Photo)
LTV A-7D Corsair II, (Serial No 70-0980), 152nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, 1987.
(Alain Rioux Photo)
LTV A-7D Corsair II, (Serial No 71-0344), 152nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, 1985.
(USAF Photo)
LTV A-7K Corsair II (Serial No. 79-0468), 152nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, 1984.
(USAF Photo)
Ling-Temco-Vought YA-7K (Serial No. 73-1008), 152nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, ca 1980s.
(Garfield F. Jones, USAF Photo)
LTV A-7D Corsair IIs, (Serial Nos. 70-1006, 70-1013, and 71-0342), 162nd Tactical Fighter Group, Arizona Air National Guard, 1981.
(Harrison, USAF Photo)
LTV YA-7K Corsair II (Serial No. 73-1008), 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, based at Tucson International Airport, being refueled in flight by a McDonnell Douglas KC-10A Extender, 1982.
(James Haseltine, USAF Photo)
General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard over the Grand Canyon, 2009.
(Alan Wilson Photo)
General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon (Serial No. 87-0333), c/n 5C-594, flown by the 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, 2014.
(USAF Photo)
General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon, 162nd Fighter Wing, Arizona Air National Guard, 2015.
(USAF Photo)
Boeing KC-97 Stratotanker (Serial No. 53-0200), 197th Air Refueling Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard, ca 1975.
(Mike Freer - Touchdown-aviation Photo)
Fairchild C-26B Metro 23 (Serial No. 0-0056), 148th TFTS, Arizona ANG, 14 Oct 1992.
(Alan Wilson Photo)
Boeing-Vertol CH-47F Chinook (Serial No. 06-8021), Phoenix Goodyear Airport. Arizona, 2014.
(Alan Wilson Photo)
Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey (BuNo. 168286), c/n D0203, YZ-10, flown by Marine Corps unit VMM-363, the 'Lucky Red Lions', 2014.
(Alan Wilson Photo)
Bell Boeing MV-22B Osprey (BuNo. 168005), c/n D0135, YZ-10, flown by Marine Corps unit VMM-363, the 'Lucky Red Lions', 2014.
(USAF Photo)
Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker (Serial No. 57-1486), 197th Air Refueling Squadron, Arizona Air National Guard.
(USMC Photo)
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II aircraft of U.S. Marine Corps attack squadron VMA-513 Flying Nightmares, from USMC Air Station Yuma, Arizona, during the "Red Flag Alaska" exercise in June 2007.
(Pfc. Sean T. Dennison, USMC Photo)
McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II with Marine Attack Squadron 513, deployed out of Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan, 20 May 2011.
(Alan Wilson Photos)
Lockheed-Martin F-35A Lightning II (Serial No. 12-5052), c/n AF-63, LF, flown by the 61st Fighter Sqn, part of the 56th Fighter Wing based at Luke AFB, Arizona.
During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Arizona. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Arizonas dry climate and excellent storage facilities, as well as its clear air and wide open spaces in the Southwest (some might say Old West) area of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based or stored there through the years.The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Arizona aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Arizona, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards; museum exhibits, or as they stand mothballed in the Boneyard. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these aircraft can be found. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.
Order Book: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000016809/Arizona-Warbird-Survivors-2002.aspx
Order in Canada: http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Arizona-Warbird-Survivors-Handbook-Where-Harold-A-A-Skaarup/9780595238811-item.html?ikwid=harold+skaarup&ikwsec=Books
Arizona Warbird Survivors 2002 has been updated:
Arizona Warplanes
This aviation handbook is designed to be used as a quick reference to the classic military heritage aircraft that have been restored and preserved in the state of Arizona. The aircraft include those flown by members of the United States Air Force, the United States Navy, the United States Army, the United States Marine Corps, the United States Coast Guard, the Air and Army National Guard, and by various NATO and allied nations as well as a number previously operated by opposition forces in peace and war. The interested reader will find useful information and a few technical details on most of the military aircraft that have been in service with active flying squadrons both at home and overseas. 100 selected photographs have been included to illustrate a few of the major examples in addition to the serial numbers assigned to American military aircraft . For those who like to actually see the aircraft concerned, aviation museum locations, addresses and contact phone numbers have been included, along with a list of aircraft held in each museum's current inventory or on display as gate guardians throughout the State of Arizona. The aircraft presented in this edition are listed alphabetically by manufacturer, number and type. Although many of Arizona's heritage warplanes have completely disappeared, a few have been carefully collected, restored and preserved, and some have even been restored to flying condition. This guide-book should help you to find and view Arizona's Warplane survivors.
Order Book: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000177584/Arizona-Warplanes.aspx.
Order E-Book: http://bookstore.iuniverse.com/Products/SKU-000177584/Arizona-Warplanes.aspx.
Order book in Canada:http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Arizona-Warplanes-Updated-Edition-Harold-A-Skaarup/9781450220538-item.html?ikwid=harold+skaarup&ikwsec=Books
Update
For those of you who are familiar with the airspace over Arizona and its environs, the weather and colors of the landscape can be incredibly beautiful, particularly early in the morning. During my tour of duty with NORAD as a member of the Canadian Forces detachment based in Colorado Springs, it had been my privilege to serve alongside a good number of the highly professional airmen and women of both nations working in the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center.
As an aviation enthusiast, I have learned over the years that there are a lot of us who have an interest in military aircraft and aviation history. Unfortunately, many retired warplanes which helped to make this history happen have completely disappeared, particularly those from the early years. Fortunately, a good number of retired warplanes continue to exist, preserved in aviation museums and in some cases as gate-guardians in a wide variety of locations. Volunteers working in many of these museums have been successful in preserving a good number of them, although many are still being sought and in some cases, being restored to flying condition again. As an aviation artist, photographer and enthusiast, I have attempted to keep track of where these warplane survivors are presently located, and to try to identify at least one each of every warplane ever flown with a military pilot at the controls. For those of like mind, the purpose of this handbook is to provide a simple checklist of the classic heritage aircraft that have been preserved in Arizona. The book includes a number of photographs to try and illustrate an example of each warplane preserved in Arizona wherever possible, and to list the locations in the state for where one can find an example of surviving aircraft now.
It is exciting to see the actual numbers of restored warplanes increasing as a few rare examples are being recovered from their crash sites in the bush, traded for, or bought back from owners who have been flying them in other countries. In a few outstanding cases, accurate replicas, such as the X-15, have been constructed and are making a welcome appearance. One of the aims of this book was to identify what Arizona’s retired warplanes on active service looked like and to help an enthusiast track down more detailed information such as a serial number or museum location which might be helpful in identifying an aircraft. No list can ever be completely up to date, and therefore, if a reader has additional information to add an update would be most welcome. It is my sincere hope that more of the aircraft listed here will one day be added to the list of “survivors,” as more of them are recovered and restored.
