With any military
operations, reconnaissance is essential. Observation and up to
date information on current threats and battlefield conditions
are also essential. Here are some of the reconnaissance and
observation aircraft at the museum.
Republic RF-84F Thunderflash of the 155th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Nebraska Air National Guard. The RF-84F was the first tactical reconnaissance jet to be used by the USAF, beginning in 1952. They were used into the early 1970s.
Close up of the nose camera in the RF-84F.
Cessna O-2A Skymaster of the 602nd Tactical Control Wing. This is the militarized version of the Cessna 337. It was one of the aircraft used in Vietnam for forward air control. Equipped with rocket pods or miniguns, it packed a punch. It could also carry speakers and special radios for psychological warfare. The last of the O-2s flew military missions in the late 1980s.
North American RA-5C Vigilante of RVAH-3 based at Albany NAS, Georgia. The original A3J Vigilante was designed as a nuclear attack aircraft for the US Navy. The design was problematic with the weapon delivery system, and Navy policy changed in regards to nuclear attack aircraft. The mission changed to reconnaissance. The Vigilantes flew with the US Navy until 1979.
Nose view of the RA-5C Vigilante.
Grumman OV-1C Mohawk of the 1st Infantry Division. The Mohawk is a tactical reconnaissance and battlefield observation aircraft that was first flown in 1959. This model carried infrared sensors and cameras. The Mohawks were retired in 1996.
North American OV-10D Bronco of VMO-1, MCAS New River, North Carolina. The OV-10 Bronco is a STOL aircraft used for close air support and forward air control. First flown in 1967, the OV-10s were flown in Vietnam and in the first Gulf War. They last ones were retired on the mid-1990s.
Lockheed AP-2H Neptune of VAH-21 at Sangley Point, Philippines and Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam. The Neptune was a long-range anti-submarine aircraft that began US Navy service in 1947. Over the years, a number of upgrades and sensor were added, including TRIM (Trail Roads Interdiction Multisensor), FLIR (Forward Looking Infra-Red) and LLLTV (Low Light Level Television). Today, you see them fighting fires in the western US.
Grumman E-1B Tracer of VAW-307, North Island NAS, California. The Tracer was designed to be an airborne RADAR platform for the US Navy. It was originally supposed to be an interim solution while the Navy finalized their requirements. 88 Tracers were used by the US Navy from 1960 until 1977.
McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo of the 186th Tactical Reconnaissance Group, Mississipi Air National Guard. While the F-101 was originally designed to be a long range escort fighter for SAC bombers, the F-101 performed many other missions other than that. The reconnaissance version of the F-101 could fly tactical reconnaissance at both high, and low altitudes.