Military Aircraft
1917 SPAD VII
Prized Fighter
The SPAD VII was one of the best fighter planes of World War I. Designed by Louis Bechereau, it was a product of the Society pour l’Aviation et ses Derives, France; hence, SPAD.
The SPAD VII was powered by a Hispano-Suiza engine designed by Marc Birkight, the famous Swiss automotive engineer. The SPAD VII was maneuverable, fast and structurally the most reliable fighter of the war. Armed with a single Vickers 303 (7.62 mm) synchronized machine gun, which fired through the propeller arc and an Aldis gun sight, SPAD VIIs served in over 50 Allied squadrons (three American squadrons) including the famous French Lafayette Escadrille and Storke Groupe (Les Cicognes) squadrons. Many World War I aces scored victories in the SPAD VII, including French ace Georges Guynemer (54 victories) and the Allies' ace-of-aces, Rene Fonck (75 victories).
The Virginia Aviation Museum’s SPAD VII (B9913) was manufactured in 1917 by Mann Egerton & Co. Ltd. It was one of 19 British-built SPAD VIIs sent to the U.S. Army’s Rockwell Field Pursuit Gunnery School in San Diego in 1918 to serve as advanced fighter trainers for the U.S. Air Service. In the 1920s B9913 was decommissioned and passed through several private owners. In May 1969 James S. Ricklef bought the remains of B9913 and, in 1973, completely restored the aircraft to its present condition featuring original British markings.
The fuselage, wings and tail-group are built of wood and plywood. Wire-in-wing and tail trailing edges gave a scalloped effect. Fabric covers the entire structure except for the front third of the fuselage, which is aluminum-covered. The aircraft has a round frontal radiator, a tailskid, no brakes, and it cannot be trimmed in flight.
Shannon Collection
Serial No. 103
Specifications
| General | Type: Single-seat fighter (or Scout), World War I era Manufacturer: Eight French and two British aircraft manufactures Dates: 1916–1918 Numbers: 5,820 (220 built by the British) Cost: Unknown |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | Hispano-Suiza 8 A, 150- to 180-horsepower at 1,450 rpm, V-8 water-cooled engine |
| Armament | One Synchronized Vickers 303 machine gun (7.62 mm) |
| Dimensions | Length: 20 feet, 3 inches Height: 7 feet Wingspan: Upper 25 feet, 6 inches; Lower 24 feet, 6 inches |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 1,177 pounds Military Load: 260 pounds (fuel and oil 195 pounds) Maximum Gross Weight: 1,632 pounds Fuel Capacity: 24 gallons Oil Capacity: 2.125 gallons Coolant: 6.75 gallons |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: 123 to 132 mph Cruise Speed: 110 mph Landing Speed: 57 mph Rate of Climb: Climb to 10,000 feet: 11 minutes, 30 seconds Service Ceiling: 17,500 feet Cruise: 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
1918 Standard E-1
Advanced Trainer
The Standard E-1 was a U.S. World War I pursuit trainer powered by a 100-horsepower Gnome B-9 or an 80-horsepower Le Rhone rotary engine. Both engines drove a fixed-pitch wooden propeller. Some E-1s were armed with a 30-caliber Vickers or Marlin machine gun, which fired through the propeller arc. These E-1s never saw combat service and approximately 60 were re-titled M-Defense. In an early attempt to develop smart weaponry, the Sperry Co. converted three Standard E-1s into experimental radio-controlled aerial torpedoes in 1919.
The Virginia Aviation Museum’s Standard E-1 was manufactured in 1918 and is powered by an 80-horsepower Le Rhone rotary engine. Sidney L. Shannon Jr. found this airplane in a barn near Dayton, Ohio, in the early 1950s. Air Shannon spent eight years restoring the aircraft to its current condition.
The fuselage and wings are wooden. The tail is a welded metal tube and wood construction. Fabric covers the entire aircraft, except for the engine cowling and the top of the fuselage, which are aluminum-clad. The aircraft has a tailskid, no brakes and cannot be trimmed in flight.
Shannon Collection
Specifications
| General | Type: Single-seat advanced trainer, World War I era Manufacturer: Standard Aircraft Corporation, Elizabeth, N.J. Dates: 1917 and 1918 Number Built: Approximately 128 Cost: Unknown |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | La Rhone, 80-horsepower at 1,200 rpm, 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine (Gnome B-9, 104-horsepower at 1,200 rpm, 9-cylinder air-cooled rotary engine) |
| Armament | One synchronized Vickers or Marlin 30-caliber machine gun |
| Dimensions | Length: 18 feet, 5 inches Height: 9 feet, 4 inches Wing Span: 24 feet |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 866 pounds (890 pounds) Maximum Gross Weight: 1,195 pounds (1,275 pounds) Useful Load: 329 pounds (385 pounds) Fuel Capacity: 19 gallons (27 gallons) Oil Capacity: 3 gallons (5 gallons) |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: 100 mph (105 mph) Cruise Speed: 80 mph Landing Speed: 53 mph Rate of Climb: 600 fpm (950 fpm) at sea level Service Ceiling: 14,500 feet Cruise: 2 hours Range: 160–200 miles |
1917 Curtiss Model JN4-D
Military Trainer Jenny
The Curtiss JN models - also known as the "Jenny" series - began in 1914 when Curtiss combined the best features of the J and N series. The U.S. Army used Jennies as observation planes and trainers. After World War I, Jennies became popular on the barnstorming circuit. This Curtiss Jenny was built in January 1917 in Buffalo, N.Y. Powered by a 90-horsepower, 8-cylinder, water-cooled engine, this airplane is capable of a maximum horizontal speed of 75 mph. In 1987, this Jenny was featured in the National Geographic television program, "Treasures From the Past." Owner Ken Hyde and Charles Kulp flew it to the 1987 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, where they won the Antique Grand Champion award. In 1989, Hyde and Kulp again flew to Oshkosh and were joined by five other flight-worthy Jennies from across the United States. On loan from Ken W. Hyde (Serial #450)
Specifications
| General | Type: Two-place, World War I Trainer Manufacturer: Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Corporation, Buffalo, NY Dates: 1917–1919 Number Built: 2,812 Original Cost: $3,155–$5,465 |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | Curtiss OX-5, 90-horsepower V-8 water-cooled engine |
| Dimensions | Length: 27 feet, 4 inches Height: 9 feet, 11 inches Wingspan: Upper 43 feet, 6 inches |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 1,390 pounds Useful Load: 530 pounds Maximum Gross Weight: 1,920 pounds Fuel Capacity: 25 gallons Oil Capacity: 4 gallons |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: 75 mph Cruise Speed: 60 mph Landing Speed: 45 mph Rate of Climb: 7.5 min. to 2,000 feet Service Ceiling: 6,500 feet Cruising Range: 250 miles |
1966 Lockheed SR-71
Flying three times faster than the speed of sound and higher than 80,000
feet, the SR-71 is the most technologically significant aircraft built since
WW II. They flew thousands of hazardous reconnaissance missions over North
Vietnam, North Korea, the Middle East and many other hot spots throughout
the world. 29 A Models, two B Models (two-seat pilot trainers), one C Model
(two-seat trainer built from two different airframes) were produced in the
1960's. Out of the total of 32 SR-71's built, 21 are still in existence
most serving in museums. Of the 12 SR-71s lost, no USAF pilots or RSOs lost
their lives nor were any shot down by hostile fire.
Virginia Aviation Museum's aircraft, USAF tail number 61-7968, set the endurance record on April 26, 1971. Majors Thomas B. Estes and Dewain C. Vick, flew 61-7968 over 15,000 miles in 10 hrs. 30 min. Non-Stop (Time includes aerial refueling at subsonic speeds). Awards for this flight include the 1971 Mackay Trophy for the "most meritorious flight of the year" and the 1972 Harmon Trophy for the "most outstanding international achievement in the art/science of aeronautics".
Technical Information
Mission: High Speed, High Altitude Reconnaissance
Crew: 2 (Pilot and Reconnaissance System Officer)
Construction: Titanium monocoque with some super-high-temperature
plastics
Length: 107 feet, 5 inches
Wingspan: 55 feet, 7 inches
Height: 16 feet, 6 inches
Landing Weight: 68,000 pounds
Maximum Gross Take-off Weight: 140,000 pounds
Maximum Speed: 3.2+ Mach
Maximum Altitude: over 85,000 feet
Maximum Unrefueled Range: 3,200 nautical miles
Armament: None
Powerplant: 2 Pratt & Whitney J-58 High-bypass-turbojets
with 34,000 pounds of thrust
Program Information (as of Jan 1990)
Total Flight Hours: 53,490
Total Mach 3+ Time: 11,675 hours
Total Sorties: 17,300
Operational Sorties: 3,551
Operational Hours: 11,008
Total Air Refuelings: 25,862
Total Crew Members: 284 (8 aircrew had 1000 hours +, high
time 1,392.7 hours)
The aircraft is on loan from the United States Air Force Museum. (Serial #61-7968)
1970 Vought A-7D Corsair
II
The A-7D Corsair II is a single seat, light attack aircraft. Originally
designed for the U.S. Navy, 459 A-7Ds was built for the U.S. Air Force from
1968 to 1976. USAF A-7Ds saw service in Vietnam and were also flown by the
Air National Guard including the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group at Richmond
International Airport. The A-7D achieved excellent bomb-deliver accuracy
due to its automatic electronic navigation and weapon-delivery system. The
A-7D wingspan is 38 feet, 8 inches. It is 46 feet, 1 inch long and 16 feet,
1 inch high. Fully loaded it weighs 39,325 pounds. The A-7D was powered
by one 14,250-pound thrust Allison TF-41 turbofan engine, which allowed
it to carry up to 15,000 pounds of mixed ordnance. The maximum speed was
663 mph. Normal cruising speed was 545 mph, with an un-refueled range of
3,044 miles and a service ceiling of 33,500 feet.
The museum's A-7D flew with the 192nd Tactical Fighter Group and is on loan from the USAF Museum. (Serial #70-966)
Specifications
| General | Type: Single-seat, tactical close air support aircraft, 60s – 80s era Manufacturer: Ling-Temco-Vought (LTV), Dallas, TX Dates: 1967 - 1975 Number Built: 454 production aircraft Cost: $15,000,000 |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | One Allison TF41 turbofan engine of 14,250 pounds thrust |
| Armament | One M61A1 20mm rapid-fire cannon plus 15,000 pounds of mixed ordnance (bombs, rockets, missiles and dispensers) |
| Dimensions | Length: 46 feet, 1 inches Height: 16 feet, 1 inches Wing Span: 38 feet, 8 inches |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 19,127 pounds Maximum Gross Weight: 39,325 pounds (42,000 pounds combat) Fuel Capacity: 1,425 gallons internal (plus up to four 300 gallon external drop tanks) |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: 699 mph Cruise Speed: 532 mph Landing Speed: 53 mph Rate of Climb: 15,000 fpm at sea level Service Ceiling: 42,000 feet Cruise: 2.6 hours (5.7 hours with external drop tanks) Range: Combat 715 miles; ferry 2,281 miles (2,861 miles with external drop tanks) |
Douglas A-4C Skyhawk
Navy Light Attack Bomber
| General | Type: Navy, carrier based, single-seat bomber (light) Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft Corporation, El Segundo, CA Dates: 1956 - 1979 (all models - longest production run of any US military fighter aircraft)) (1958-1962 C Model) Number Built: 2,960 all models (638 C models) Original Cost: $860,000 (C model) |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | Originally a single 7,700 lbs thrust Curtiss-Wright J-65 W-16A turbojet
engine Later a single 8,400 lbs thrust, Pratt & Whitney J-65-W-20 turbojet engine |
| Dimensions | Length: 39 feet 2 inches Height: 14 feet 11 inches Wingspan: 27 feet 6 inches |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 9,146 pounds Internal Fuel Capacity: 5,400 pounds (approx. 800 gal) Maximum External Load (weapons and fuel): 7,900 pounds Maximum Gross Weight: 22,500 pounds |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: 649 mph Cruise Speed: 420 kts (M 0.72 or 496 mph) Landing Speed: 132 kts (150 mph) Stalling speed: 110 kts (125 mph) Rate of Climb: 7,100 fpm at sea level Service Ceiling: 42,250 feet Tactical Range 400 nm Ferry Range: 2,000 nm (unrefueled with external tanks) |
| Armament | Three under-fuselage/wing hard points with 7,900 pounds total capacity
normal load was 2X300 gal drop tanks and 6XMk 82s (500 lbs general purpose bombs) 2X20 mm Colt Mk. 12 cannons, one in each wing roots with 100 rounds per gun. |
Grumman F-14D Tomcat
Navy Air Superiority Fighter
The F-14D Tomcat is a supersonic, air-superiority fighter. The unique swing-wing design allowed the wings to be moved automatically or manually between 20 and 68 degrees of leading-edge sweep. This optimizes wing area, camber and aspect ratio to enhance the aircraft’s performance. The wings would be forward for slow-speed flight (takeoff and landing) and swept back for high-speed (supersonic) flight.
In addition to its primary air superiority capabilities using Sparrow and Sidewinder missiles, and an internal 20-mm gun, the F-14 provided fleet air defense with the Phoenix missile and ground attack capability using conventional ordnance.
The F-14D was powered by two F110-GE-400 dual-axial compressors, turbofan engines equipped with afterburners for thrust augmentation. Variable-geometry air inlets in front of the engines controlled the air flow and speed of the air entering the engines to ensure optimum engine performance throughout the flight envelope.
The pilot controls the aircraft using hydraulically powered flight controls which are operated by a conventional control stick and rudder pedals. Pitch control is achieved by symmetrical deflection of the horizontal stabilizer deflections. Roll control is accomplished by differential stabilizer deflections and augmented by wing spoilers at wing-sweep positions less than 62 degrees. Yaw control is provided by dual rudders.
The museum’s F-14D bureau number 164346, Block 170, was delivered to the Navy on Feb. 2, 1992. It was last assigned to VF-31at NAS Oceana, Va. The aircraft saw combat twice in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The first on board the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) in a historic 10-month cruise when the ship was diverted from returning home back to the Persian Gulf to participate in the second Gulf War. The return to the Gulf aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) was the final Tomcat cruise. On June 28, 2006, F-14D Tomcat 164346/AJ-110, flown by pilot Lt. Chris Rattigan and RIO Lt. Paul Dort, was the last Tomcat to operationally trap onboard a US Navy carrier. Tomcat 164346 was last flown on Sept. 15, 2006, when it was delivered to the Virginia Aviation Museum by pilot Lt. Roy Gordon and RIO Lt. Bill Frank.
This aircraft is on loan from the National Museum of Naval Aviation at Pensacola, Fla.
| General | Type: Navy, carrier based, two-seat (pilot and Radar Intercept Officer) Manufacturer: Grumman Aerospace Corporation Dates: 1970–1992 (all models) 1988–1992 (D Model) Number Built: 712 all models (55 D models: 37 new; 18 converted from A models) Original Cost: $38,000,000 (1998) |
|---|---|
| Power Plant | Two General Electric F110-GE-400 turbofans (military – 16,090 lbs thrust; afterburning – 26,795 lbs thrust) |
| Dimensions | Length: 62 feet 8.5 inches Height: 16 feet Wingspan at 20 degree sweep: 64 feet 1.5 inches Wingspan at 68 degree sweep: 38 feet 2.5 inches |
| Weights & Capacities | Empty Weight: 43,735 pounds Maximum Fuel Capacity: Internal – 2,385 gal (16,200 lbs) External – 534 gal (3,600 lbs, external drop tanks) Total Fuel Quantity – 2,919 gal (19,800 lbs) Maximum External Load (weapons and fuel): 14,500 pounds Maximum Gross Weight: 76,000 pounds |
| Performance | Maximum Speed: Mach 2.34 (approximately 1,404 kts or 1,620 mph) high altitude; Mach 1.2 low altitude Max Cruising Speed: Mach 0.72 (approximately 432 kts or 496 mph) Carrier Approach Speed: 125 kts (144 mph) Rate of Climb: 45,000 fpm at sea level Service Ceiling: 53,000 feet plus Tactical Range 576 nm (without air refueling) Ferry Range: 1,600 nm (without air refueling) |
| Armament | One 20-mm General Electric M61A1 Vulcan canon with 675 rounds Combination of up to eight air-to-air missiles (AIM-9L/M; AIM 7F/M Sparrow, AIM-120 AMRAAM, and AIM-54A/C Phoenix) Mk 82, 83, or 84 general purpose bombs or laser-guided bombs; GBU-10/12/16/24/31/38, Mk-20 Rockeye, or AGM-88B HARM missiles |