Hawker Sea Fury
The Sea Fury reached its maximum speed of 465 mph which equals 748 km/h to become one of the fastest piston-engine fighter aircraft that entered production. It successfully shot down one MiG-15 fighter aircraft and one Consolidated PB4Y and two B-26 aircraft. The basic airframe design could achieve higher speeds through a single Napier Sabre engine configuration that produced approximately 3500 hp which enabled the aircraft to reach 485 mph (781 km/h) speed. Navy veteran of Sea Fury flight operations Dave Eagles explained that he flew the aircraft during 1956 after completing six months of service with a Firefly Squadron. The Sea Fury's flight performance surpassed that of the outdated Firefly aircraft.
Douglas A-1 Skyraider
The Douglas Skyraider which was designed as a single-seat piston-engine combat aircraft only became operational after its scheduled war deployment. The A-1 airplane designed for dive and torpedo bombing operations shares no further similarities with the Sea Fury aircraft. The XBT2D-1 Destroyer II aircraft designed to succeed both the Avenger and Dauntless aircraft made its first flight in March 1945. The US Navy ordered 548 units in April 1945 while they changed the aircraft name to AD-1 Skyraider. The success of the project originated from Ed Heinemann's design team which focused on achieving weight reduction through simple design methods.
Vought F-8 Crusader
The Crusader aircraft achieved superior performance because its Pratt & Whitney J57 engine enabled it to fly farther and faster and higher than the F-100 Super Sabre while carrying heavier payloads. The Vought company developed a variable incidence wing system to help with the supersonic fighter aircraft's onboard transportation process. The system enabled the pilot to see the ship while operating at landing speed. The Crusader aircraft achieved a 19-to-3 air-to-air victory record during the Vietnam War which made it the most successful US aircraft in the conflict. The aircraft which features four 20mm cannons is widely regarded as the final gunfighter fighter despite its extensive weaponry problems.
McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
The F/A-18 Hornet introduced fighter aircraft which possess extreme agility and advanced cockpit technology. We spoke to former US Marine Corps pilot Louis Gundlach about flying and fighting in the Hornet. "The Hornet appeared modern because its design lacked the surface imperfections which older aircraft possessed. Obviously, I have been biased about the Hornet for a long time and I still am. The aircraft maintains its status as an attractive fighter jet because of its design.
"The take-off was amazing, especially to someone who had only flown a Cessna 172 to that point. The Hornet will lower its front nose wheel when pilots use brakes to perform a pre-takeoff checklist while increasing power.
BAe Sea Harrier
The Sea Harrier started its military service in 1978 as an unusual aircraft which had both slow speed and minimal weaponry. The aircraft showed its complete power when it fought against the F-15 Eagle, which the world considered the top military airplane. We interviewed Commander 'Sharkey' Ward about his 1982 war mission which succeeded in flying the Sea Harrier.
The Sea Harrier arrived as a new aircraft in late 1979 which fighter pilots wanted to assess because they wanted to know its combat capabilities. The USAF F-5E Aggressor Squadron at Alconbury invited my Trials Unit to join their air combat program for shared learning and assessment. The entire fighter community received fast information about the detachment which had completed its mission. The results showed 26 confirmed enemy aircraft kills which included 10 confirmed enemy kills against our own forces.
Blackburn Buccaneer
The Buccaneer conducted its most important operations during its Navy service by supporting Beira patrol operations which enforced Rhodesian sanctions and attacking the damaged oil tanker Torrey Canyon near Lands' End to eliminate its crude oil and demonstrating military power over Belize through its mid-Atlantic launch from HMS Ark Royal to prevent a Guatemalan invasion.
The Buccaneer functions as an aircraft carrier but the RAF also used it for missions as a land-based attack aircraft. According to former Buccaneer Navigator Mike Looseley the aircraft operated at very low altitudes. The crews' skills and training and their positive attitude matched the airframe performance of the aircraft which delivered a smooth ride at high speed and low altitude.
Grumman A-6 Intruder
he digital Armament Control Unit enables us to launch multiple types of unguided bombs together with smart bombs. The IMU (Inertial nav system) uses radar for initial target detection and then employs FLIR to verify target identification which enables system target tracking and laser designation for precise targeting.
The A-6 proved to be an extremely powerful weapon because its extensive operational record demonstrates its combat effectiveness. The Vietnam War contains one of its best stories because an Intruder executed a night mission which accomplished precise bombing near Hanoi during one night. No one else went downtown that night. The next day Hanoi declared that it had successfully defended itself against a large-scale B-52 attack.
