Planes over water — AIR FORCE PHOTOS

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SR-71 Blackbird

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. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Michael Haggerty)

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O1-E Bird Dog

1950's -- A Forward Air Controller O1-E "Bird Dog" aircraft is shown here in reconnaissance role near a Special Forces Camp in the Republic of Vietnam. USAF Photo

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F-100 Super Sabre

1950's -- F-100 Super Sabre

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U.S. Air Force technicians prepare a McDonald RF-101 Voodoo

1960's -- On the flight line, U.S. Air Force technicians prepare a McDonald RF-101 Voodoo for a photo reconnaissance mission. Overhead, a Fairchild C-123 Provider takes off on another assault airlift sortie, providing an air bridge to an outpost in South Vietnam. High above, a Cessna O-1E "Bird Dog" returns after pointing out Viet Cong targets to pilots of strike aircraft. January 6, 1967 Air Force Photo

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B-47

1950's -- Strategic Air Command B-47 Stratojet bombers. The world's first swept-wing bomber. The B-47 normally carried a crew of three--pilot, copilot (who operated the tail turret by remote control), and an observer who also served as navigator, bombardier and radar operator.

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Capt. Charles E. Yeager

1940's -- Capt. Charles E. Yeager (shown standing next to the Air Force's Bell-built X-1 supersonic research aircraft) became the first man to fly faster than the speed of sound in level flight on October 14, 1947. (U.S. Air Force photo)

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Doolittle Raid

Taken from the deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8), a B-25 bomber makes its way to be part of the first U.S. air raid on Japan. (U.S. Navy photo)

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Bell X-1

On Oct. 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Piloted by U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of 1,127 kilometers (700 miles) per hour, Mach 1.06, at an altitude of 13,000 meters (43,000 feet). Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis" in tribute to his wife.

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Bell X-1

1940's -- On October 14, 1947, the Bell X-1 became the first airplane to fly faster than the speed of sound. Piloted by U.S. Air Force Capt. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager, the X-1 reached a speed of 1,127 kilometers (700 miles) per hour, Mach 1.06, at an altitude of 13,000 meters (43,000 feet). Yeager named the airplane "Glamorous Glennis" in tribute to his wife.

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P-40

1940's -- P-40

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Curtiss P-40E

1940's -- Curtiss P-40E in flight (date and source of photo unknown)

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P-38

1940's -- P-38 at sunset

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Lockheed YP-38

1940's -- Lockheed YP-38 (1943)

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AF File Photo

1960's -- F-4 Phantom

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AF File Photo

1960's -- F-4 Phantom

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B-52

1950's -- B-52

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AF File Photo

1970's -- Uh-1 helicopter hovers above Vietnamese Air Force personnel of the 211th Helicopter Squadron on a combat assault in the Mekong Delta area of Vietnam. (18 July 1970)

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