The T-28 was the first post war advanced trainer produced in quantity for training pilots for high-speed jet aircraft. Nearly 2000 of these fine trainers where built before production was ended in 1957. With advent of the war in South Vietnam, the T-28 was given a new lease on life when it proved to be effective “COIN’ or counter insurgency aircraft against enemy forces operating in the dense tropical jungle. Flown by Vietnamese pilot, the T-28 usually also carried an American advisor-observer on these combat missions.

Originally designated the L-19, The Bird Dog went into production in June, 1956 and was used during the Korean campaign as a liaison airplane by Army Field Forces to spot enemies troop concentrations, direct ground operations, carry ammunition, and evacuate wounded. Return to production in 1962 and designated the 0-1E, the Bird Dog gained fame anew as a “FAC” airplane (forward air controller) in South Vietnam war where it was very effective in spotting and directing fire against the enemy Vietcong forces.

Successor to the world famous Tiger Moth biplane, the Chipmunk was the first original design by deHaviland Canada and was built in quantity in Canada and in Great Britain for R.A.F. Primarily used as a basic trainer to provide air cadets with elementary flying instructions prior to going onto jet aircraft training. The parent Canadian company produced a total of 218 DHC-1’s y of which remain in service with the R.C.A.F. One thousand fourteen were built by deHaviland in the U.K. including both military and civilian versions. As a civilian aircraft, the Chipmunk is often seen an aerobatics competition.

This outstanding performer carried the firepower of a destroyer, and served for more than 20 years. Conceived in 1944, it made its first flight on March 18, 1945. ATTACK Squadron (VA 55) introduced the ADs to Korean combat on July 3, 1950; with its versatility, weight-lifting capacity (5,000 pounds on a carrier mission) and dive-bombing precision, the ADs became the 37-months-war’s most successful airplane. In Vietnam, Squadron VA 25 brought fame to the Skyraider when two ADs knocked down an attacking MIG 17.

The North American P-51D Mustang was probably the best all-around single seat piston-engine fighter to be used in World War 2. The first U.S.A.A.F. combat group arrived in Britain in November 1943 and from then until the end of the war, the P-51 earned an enviable reputation an a long-ranged fighter-escort for the B-17 and the B-24 bombers raiding deep in the heart of the German homeland.

The Typhoon IB, known as the “Tiffy”, distinguished itself in the Battle of Normandy destroying 137 tanks and opening the way for the liberation of France and Belgium. Nos. 56 and 609 squadrons based at Duxford received their first Typhoons in 1941. In 1942 No. 609 squadron moved to Manston in surpassed Spitfires at intercepting Fw 190s. Typhoons destroyed the first two Me 210s over the British Isles. Maximum speed of 417 MPH at 20,000 feet was obtained in 7.6 minutes. Its true element was with eight 3” rockets and four 20mm cannon.