History Takes Flight

Our civilian Heritage Flight pilots fly alongside modern USAF fighter/attack jets in the following vintage warbirds: P-51 Mustang, F-86 Sabre, P-38 Lightning, P-40 Warhawk, P-47 Thunderbolt and A-1 Skyraider. Learn more about these powerful fighters, their combat history and the war heroes of their cockpits below and see the Air Force teams that take to the skies with them.
The legendary P-51 Mustang dominated the skies over Western Europe after it was introduced in World War II. The single-seat aircraft had a maximum speed of 437 miles per hour and could escort heavy bombers deep into the heart of Germany. The P-51 and the pilots that flew them were crucial to turning the tide of war in the Allies' favor.
The legendary P-51 Mustang dominated the skies over Western Europe after it was introduced in World War II. The single-seat aircraft had a maximum speed of 437 miles per hour and could escort heavy bombers deep into the heart of Germany. The P-51 and the pilots that flew them were crucial to turning the tide of war in the Allies' favor.
Date Deployed
1941
Armament
Six .50-caliber machine guns, up to 2,000 lbs of bombs or 10 rockets
Maximum Speed
425 mph
Cruising Speed
275 mph
Service Ceiling
41,900 ft
Range
1,000 mi
Span
37 ft
Length
32 ft
Height
8 ft, 8 in
Weight
12,100 lb
The Sabre made its name in the skies over Korea where the swept-wing fighter destroyed nearly 800 MiG 15s during the Korean War. The jet, the first of its kind in the American arsenal, broke speed records throughout its evolution.
The Sabre made its name in the skies over Korea where the swept-wing fighter destroyed nearly 800 MiG 15s during the Korean War. The jet, the first of its kind in the American arsenal, broke speed records throughout its evolution.
Date Deployed
1950
Armament
Six .50-caliber machine guns, up to 2,000 lbs of bombs or 16 rockets
Maximum Speed
650 mph
Cruising Speed
-
Service Ceiling
45,000 ft
Range
1,000 mi
Span
37 ft
Length
37 ft
Height
14 ft
Weight
14,000 lbs
The P-38 Lightning, dubbed the “fork-tailed devil” by terrified enemies, was one of the most influential fighters of WWII. The twin-engine plane was first conceived by Lockheed in 1937 and officially introduced in 1940. The P-38’s guns and supercharged engines that could power it to 400 miles per hour made it a formidable weapon in the American arsenal. P-38s went on to fly more than 130,000 missions over Europe, the Mediterranean, the Pacific, North Africa and the Aleutian Islands.
The P-38 Lightning, dubbed the “fork-tailed devil” by terrified enemies, was one of the most influential fighters of WWII. The twin-engine plane was first conceived by Lockheed in 1937 and officially introduced in 1940. The P-38’s guns and supercharged engines that could power it to 400 miles per hour made it a formidable weapon in the American arsenal. P-38s went on to fly more than 130,000 missions over Europe, the Mediterranean, the Pacific, North Africa and the Aleutian Islands.
Date Deployed
1942
Armament
Four .50-caliber machine guns and one 20 mm cannon
Maximum Speed
414 mph
Cruising Speed
275 mph
Service Ceiling
40,000 ft
Range
1,300 mi
Span
52 feet
Length
37 ft, 10 in
Height
12 ft, 10 in
Weight
17,500 lbs
The Douglas Aircraft Company's A-1 Skyraider was one of the most versatile and beloved aircraft in America's post-war arsenal. The Skyraider sprang from the Navy's decision to combine the jobs of dive-bombing and torpedo missions into one platform, but eventually became indispensable as a close-air support aircraft. WWII ended shortly after the first Skyraiders were ordered, but the aircraft was used in Korea and Vietnam and entered service for American allies across the globe.
The Douglas Aircraft Company's A-1 Skyraider was one of the most versatile and beloved aircraft in America's post-war arsenal. The Skyraider sprang from the Navy's decision to combine the jobs of dive-bombing and torpedo missions into one platform, but eventually became indispensable as a close-air support aircraft. WWII ended shortly after the first Skyraiders were ordered, but the aircraft was used in Korea and Vietnam and entered service for American allies across the globe.
Date Deployed
1946
Armament
Four 20 mm cannons and a 2,000 lb weapons load
Maximum Speed
325 mph
Cruising Speed
-
Service Ceiling
23,800 ft
Range
1,500 mi
Span
50 ft
Length
39 ft, 3 in
Height
15 ft, 8 in
Weight
24,872 lbs
The Thunderbolt was one of the heaviest and most heavily-armed fighters of WWII. Built by Republic Aviation, the P-47 was instrumental as a ground-attack aircraft as the allies made their push from the beaches of Normandy into Germany's heartland. The plane remained in service through the 1950s, with other countries continuing to utilize them for years.
The Thunderbolt was one of the heaviest and most heavily-armed fighters of WWII. Built by Republic Aviation, the P-47 was instrumental as a ground-attack aircraft as the allies made their push from the beaches of Normandy into Germany's heartland. The plane remained in service through the 1950s, with other countries continuing to utilize them for years.
Date Deployed
1942
Armament
Eight .50-caliber machine guns and 10 5-in rockets or 1,500 lbs of bombs
Maximum Speed
433 mph
Cruising Speed
260 mph
Service Ceiling
42,000 ft
Range
1,100 mi
Span
40 ft, 9 in
Length
36 ft, 1 in
Height
14 ft, 2 in
Weight
13,500 lbs
The Curtiss P-40 anchored America’s aerial arsenal during the early years of WWII. Recognizable thanks to the fearsome shark teeth painted around the air intake, the fighter was especially valuable in the China-Burma-India Theater, where it was made famous by Gen. Claire Lee Chennault’s “Flying Tigers.” The plane was upgraded throughout the war, but was eventually overtaken by newer aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and the P-38 Lightning.
The Curtiss P-40 anchored America’s aerial arsenal during the early years of WWII. Recognizable thanks to the fearsome shark teeth painted around the air intake, the fighter was especially valuable in the China-Burma-India Theater, where it was made famous by Gen. Claire Lee Chennault’s “Flying Tigers.” The plane was upgraded throughout the war, but was eventually overtaken by newer aircraft like the P-51 Mustang and the P-38 Lightning.
Date Deployed
1940
Armament
Six .50 cal machine guns, 700 lbs of bombs
Maximum Speed
362 mph
Cruising Speed
235 mph
Service Ceiling
30,000 ft
Range
850 mi
Span
37 ft, 4 in
Length
31 ft, 9 in
Height
12 ft, 4 in
Weight
9,100 lb
MODERN PLANES
F-16
Initial Operating Capability
1979
Primary Function
Multirole fighter
Speed
1,500 mph
Range
More than 2,002 mi ferry range
A-10
Initial Operating Capability
1977
Primary Function
Close air support, airborne forward air control
Speed
517 mph
Range
2,580 mi
F-22
Initial Operating Capability
2005
Primary Function
Air dominance, multirole fighter
Speed
Mach 2 with Supercruise ability
Range
1,850 mi
F-35
Initial Operating Capability
2016
Primary Function
Multirole fighter
Speed
Mach 1.6
Range
Over 1,350 mi