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Some call the conflict in the Korean peninsula between 1950 and 1953 a "forgotten war". It is still deeply ingrained in the memories of all the people who were involved or affected by the destruction and loss of life. The history of aviation has seen a dramatic increase in the air power and ability of newly designed jet planes. This change had pushed out all but the best propeller-driven flying machines from the battle theaters.
1: This low-wing jet fighter was named after a curved blade with a hard guard for the swordsman hand.
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North American F-86 Sabre had a great predecessor in the P-51 Mustang. This 1949 jet-powered fighter-bomber had an impressive 7 to 1 ratio of enemy kills to loses during the Korean War. It was not superior in armament and aerodynamic performance. The USAF pilots' tactics and training made a huge difference, and the result was over 750 wins during the three years of war.
2: It's created a havoc when appeared in the Korean skies, with its sleek lines, speed and heavy armament.
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The superior maneuverability and heavy armament of the MiG-15 were a big surprise to USAF pilots at the beginning of the Korean War. The nose-mounted intake and highly swept wings became a recognizable shape of Mikoyan-Gurevich design. The Soviet's ingenuity to combine captured German plans during WWII and British turbo-jet knowledge obtained before Cold War resulted in a reliable machine that was easy to produce and maintain.
3: This light reconnaissance airplane served all branches of Allied forces in all combat theaters from 1942 to 1953.
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No armament, unless you count a pistol the pilot may have in the cockpit or makeshift rigged bazookas on some aircraft. Extremely useful for the observation of front lines, gathering of information, and a quick hop between command posts. Even today, after almost 80 years in existence, there are more than 100 still flying around!
4: Codenamed "Fritz" by NATO, this single seat monoplane was developed right at the end of WWI.
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Lavochkin La-9 had an all metal construction powered by a radial piston engine with a 3-blade propeller. It arrived too late to serve in WWII and also at the time when jet-powered fighters were in full development. More than 1500 were produced in the end. Apart from the USSR, they were mostly used by China and North Korea. Some models were used for testing of pulse-jet power, similar to what propelled the German flying bomb V-1.
5: This famous small jet training aircraft was used in some air-forces until 2017!
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The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star had completed development by mid 1948 and more than 6500 were produced by 1959. Over 30 countries had T-33 Shooting Stars in their service. Although their primary role was pilot training, some air forces even used them in combat. The Cuban Air Force made several kills during the Bay of Pigs conflict in April 1961. A Greek T-33 successfully deterred a Turkish F-16 in 1996. Boeing is using the T-33 as a chaser airplane during first flights of its commercial aircraft models 787, 777 and 737.
6: This twin piston-engined aircraft was used for VIP transport, medical evacuation and trainer.
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The Convair C-131 is a military variant of another Convair commercial airliner. Depending on the interior arrangement, it was used either for the evacuation of medical personnel and injured combatants, VIP transport, or training of various air-force specialists. In 1959 it was used for low-gravity training of astronauts in the Mercury spaceflight program. Some are still flying, and one had an emergency ditching in the Atlantic Ocean close to the coast of Florida.
7: This airplane became the first carrier-borne night fighter airplane in 1951.
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Produced by Douglas Aircraft Company from El Segundo, California, F3D Skyknight had a maiden flight in March 1948. It was not a mass-produced aircraft with less than 300 made. It still had a significant impact during the Korean War, downing few MiG-15s in the night skies. Having mid-fuselage installed wings and low belly air-intakes, it's chubby shape had some calling it "Willy the Whale". They did have a very effective radar system for the time during the early 1950's.
8: The development of this transport aircraft in early 1920's was influenced by German aeronautical pioneer Hugo Junkers.
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Financed by Henry Ford, famous inventor of the mass production of automobiles, less than 200 Ford Trimotors were produced between 1926 and 1933. Cherished by pilots and owners for its reliability and structural strength, these planes had a long range that came useful in search and rescue missions. One even had mounted floats converting it to a seaplane. There are still several Ford Trimotor airplanes flying, mostly by operators of scenic tours over captivating landmarks.
9: This twin-engine carrier-borne airplane was used as night fighter in Korean War.
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Grumman F7F Tigercat was used by the US Marine Corps during the Korean War for constant barrage of attacks during the night. To get a longer range, the F7F Tigercats were fitted with under belly fuel tanks. Often pilots discarded them before landing, as they were only a few inches off the ground. It did not perform reliably in emergency landings on aircraft carrier runways and many started their missions from land based airstrips.
10: With its two-bladed main rotor, this light aircraft had a prominent role in both Korean and Vietnam Wars.
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During the Korean War, the Hiller OH-23 Raven served the US military for medical evacuations, reconnaissance and light transport. Stanley Hiller established the world's very first helicopter production in California in 1942, when he was only 17 years old. The light helicopter started as a single seat prototype and a military utility version had three-seat capacity.
11: This strategic long range bomber had six jet engines and uncommon landing gear arrangement.
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Boeing B-47 Stratojet had a maiden flight in December 1947 and entered the service with USAF in 1951. The main role of this large, heavy bomber was attack with nuclear weapons deep into the territory of the Soviet Union. Some 2000 aircraft have been produced and served the United States Air Force from 1951 until retirement in 1977. Never experiencing a combat mission as a bomber, it was replaced by the more modern and superior Boeing B-52.
12: The most produced Soviet military airplane did not have closed circuit lubrication system.
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Soviet Unions Yakovlev Yak-9 Frank, unlike its Western contemporaries, was designed with an oil pump in the cockpit that had to be hand-cranked to start lubrication of its piston engine. Almost 17000 have been produced and served the USSR and air-forces of several countries with close ties to the Eastern Block. With its cannon and two heavy machine guns it was a formidable asset in the sky.
13: Odd looking light utility helicopter was with USAF in combat and civilian Postal Service.
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Sikorsky built about 300 H-5 light-utility helicopters from 1944 till 1951. It became a real workforce during the Korean War in search and rescue missions over hostile territory. The H-5 was retired from active military service in 1957. One of the variants was the first commercially flown helicopter licensed for public transport.
14: This heavy lift transport aircraft is recognizable by its "killer whale" nose and front clamshell cargo doors.
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The Douglas C-124 Globemaster II entered service in 1949 just in time to provide heavy hauls during the Korean War. The front fuselage had clamshell doors enabling the loading of large odd-shaped military equipment. It could haul almost 74000 pounds of tanks, bulldozers and heavy trucks. It retired from active military service in the USAF in 1974.
15: This aircraft made popular in movies and TV serials is well known for its role in Korean and Vietnam War.
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Almost 2500 Bell H-13 Sioux light observation helicopters were produced in the USA and under license in the UK and Italy. Its soap-bubble canopy with three seats and exposed tail truss were easy to recognize. For Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (M.A.S.H.) medical evacuations, a special bed-like pan was installed on each side of the landing skid.