During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of California. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of California’s comparative size and strategic importance on the West Coast of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of California aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over California, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.

The purpose of this handbook is to provide aviation enthusiasts with a simple checklist on where to find the surviving retired military aircraft that are preserved in the state of Nebraska. The majority of the ¡°Nebraska Warbird Survivors¡± found in this book can be viewed at the Strategic Air and Space Museum near Omaha. Aircraft displayed include a Lockheed SR-71, B-52 Stratofortress, B-17 Flying Fortress, B-29 Superfortress, B-36J Peacemaker, and the B-58 Hustler. Aircraft displayed as ¡°gate guardians¡± at Nebraska Air National Guard installations and in a number of cities throughout the state are also listed, including an RF-84 Thunderjet, a Corsair II, and an A-4 Skyhawk.The museum staffs and volunteer organizations in Nebraska have done a particularly good job of preserving the great variety of American combat veteran aircraft, illustrated here. Hopefully, as more aircraft are recovered from their crash sites and restored, traded or brought back from private owners, they too will be added to the record. The book lists the aircraft alphabetically by manufacturer, number and type. This list is also appended with a brief summary of the aircraft presently on display within the state and a bit of its history in the US military.

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of California. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Californias comparative size and strategic importance on the West Coast of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of California aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over California, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Washington. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome the unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Washington’s strategic location on the continent’s northwest flank looking out over the Pacific and facing Russia, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Washington aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Washington, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Nevada. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Nevada’s clear skies and wide open spaces and its placement surrounded by California, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, and Arizona, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based there through the years.The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Nevada aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. Great numbers of fighter pilots in particular have practiced their advanced flying skills here. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Nevada, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards or museum exhibits. This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these restored aircraft can be found. Complementing the details concerning aircraft specifications and roles, the author has included many facts. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.

During the twentieth century, civil and military aviation has played a prominent role in the history and development of Arizona. Commercial operators have exploited the advantages offered by aircraft to overcome its unique challenges of geography and climate. By virtue of Arizona’s dry climate and excellent storage facilities, as well as its clear air and wide open spaces in the Southwest (some might say “Old West”) area of the continental USA, a wide variety of military aircraft have been based or stored there through the years. The list of military aircraft types that made up the tapestry of Arizona aviation is as extensive as the list of legendary figures who have contributed to its amazing history. While most of the military aircraft types no longer grace the airspace over Arizona, many can be viewed in their former splendor as they stand as gate guards; museum exhibits, or as they stand mothballed in the “Boneyard.” This booklet provides a comprehensive guide to where these aircraft can be found. Finally, the descriptions of the recovery, restoration and preservation efforts stand as a tribute to the many volunteers who have devoted time, energy and financial support to ensure this rich heritage is preserved.

This aviation handbook is designed to be used as a quick reference to the classic military heritage aircraft that have been restored and preserved in the state of California. The aircraft include those flown by members of the US Air Force, the US Navy, the US Army, the US Marine Corps, the US Coast Guard, the Air and Army National Guard units, and by various NATO and allied nations as well as a number of aircraft previously operated by opposition forces in peace and war. The interested reader will find useful information and a few technical details on most of the military aircraft that have been in service with active flying squadrons both at home and overseas. 150 selected photographs have been included to illustrate a few of the major examples in addition to the serial numbers assigned to American military aircraft. For those who would like to actually see the aircraft concerned, aviation museum locations, addresses and contact phone numbers, websites and email addresses have been included, along with a list of aircraft held in each museum's current inventory or that on display as gate guardians throughout the state of California. The aircraft presented in this edition are listed alphabetically by manufacturer, number and type. Although many of California's heritage warplanes have completely disappeared, a few have been carefully collected, restored and preserved, and a good number have been restored to flying condition. This guide-book should help you to find and view California's Warplane survivors.