This is a collection of photos of every type of aircraft I've ever taken, or at least every one I can lay my hands on. I admit, some of the scans were pretty bad, the photos themselves suffering from being 30 years old and/or printed on textured paper, or due to the fact that I used to process my own black-and-white negatives and wasn't very accurate. My goal is to replace or add to the scanned photos with new digital images of the same type aircraft someday. I've tried to be as complete as possible with the aircraft model numbers, and manufacture or order dates (where available) are in brackets afterwards to give you a general idea of their age. Aircraft serial numbers, bureau numbers, N-numbers, etc. (if known) come after the dates. Aircraft names in quotation marks are the unofficial nicknames given to the planes by the pilots who flew them, not the official names given to them by their manufacturers.
Okay, it's time to take off and get on with the show. Happy Landings!
Okay, it's time to take off and get on with the show. Happy Landings!
![Grumman G-23 Goblin I [1936] N2803J (c/n 101)
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000
Although the museum lists this aircraft as an FF-1 "Fifi" (a nickname derived from its FF-1 designation), it began as an export version of the Grumman G-23 built by Canadian Car & Foundry under license from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. It was the sole example purchased by the Nicaraguan government, one of three different aircraft procured to create that country's fledgling air force. It saw limited service, but ended up in a scrapyard in 1942. Then, in 1961, an Oklahoma fertilizer and spray plane pilot named J.R. Sirmons was working in Nicaragua and discovered the G-23. Sirmons paid $150 for the machine and brought it back to flyable condition, configured as an FF-1. Its restoration was completed in 1966 and Sirmons flew the aircraft back to the US in June of that year, stating that "it was a delight to fly." Grumman acquired the aircraft and completed the FF-1 configuration and donated it to the museum the following year.
The museum's aircraft is painted in the pre-war markings of BuNo 9351, squadron identification 5-F-1, which would indicate the first aircraft (squadron commander's) of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5). The ship it might be assigned to is usually printed along the bottom of the vertical stabilizer, but not so in this case.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-TxPH4tw/1/Ti/Grumman%20G-23%20%5B1936%5D%20N2803J%20%28c%3An%20101%29-Ti.jpg "Grumman G-23 Goblin I [1936] N2803J (c/n 101)
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000
Although the museum lists this aircraft as an FF-1 \"Fifi\" (a nickname derived from its FF-1 designation), it began as an export version of the Grumman G-23 built by Canadian Car & Foundry under license from Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. It was the sole example purchased by the Nicaraguan government, one of three different aircraft procured to create that country's fledgling air force. It saw limited service, but ended up in a scrapyard in 1942. Then, in 1961, an Oklahoma fertilizer and spray plane pilot named J.R. Sirmons was working in Nicaragua and discovered the G-23. Sirmons paid $150 for the machine and brought it back to flyable condition, configured as an FF-1. Its restoration was completed in 1966 and Sirmons flew the aircraft back to the US in June of that year, stating that \"it was a delight to fly.\" Grumman acquired the aircraft and completed the FF-1 configuration and donated it to the museum the following year.
The museum's aircraft is painted in the pre-war markings of BuNo 9351, squadron identification 5-F-1, which would indicate the first aircraft (squadron commander's) of Fighting Squadron 5 (VF-5). The ship it might be assigned to is usually printed along the bottom of the vertical stabilizer, but not so in this case.")
![Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] BuNo 33581
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000
The museum's J2F Duck was accepted by the Navy in May 1945, and operated at various Naval Air Stations along the east coast before being stricken off charge in 1948. After spending time on display at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia, 33581 was shipped by barge to Pensacola where it underwent restoration. 33581 was placed on exhibit in the museum's new structure following its restoration in 1974.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-4pLNQn8/0/Ti/Grumman%20J2F-6%20Duck%20%5B1945%5D%20BuNo%2033581%20b-Ti.jpg "Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] BuNo 33581
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000
The museum's J2F Duck was accepted by the Navy in May 1945, and operated at various Naval Air Stations along the east coast before being stricken off charge in 1948. After spending time on display at the Marine Corps Museum in Quantico, Virginia, 33581 was shipped by barge to Pensacola where it underwent restoration. 33581 was placed on exhibit in the museum's new structure following its restoration in 1974.")
![Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] BuNo 33581
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-Lg3VJXZ/1/Ti/Grumman%20J2F-6%20Duck%20%5B1945%5D%20BuNo%2033581-Ti.jpg "Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] BuNo 33581
National Museum of Naval Aviation, Pensacola, Florida - December 2000")
![Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-G6htdBG/1/Ti/Grumman%20J2F-6%3AOA-12%20Duck%20%5B2%5D-Ti.jpg "Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.")
![Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat [1960] N10235
Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California - early 1970s
This aircraft was exported to Mexico in 1991.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-RjMp4LF/1/Ti/Grumman%20Ag-Cat%20%5B2%5D-Ti.jpg "Grumman G-164 Ag-Cat [1960] N10235
Santa Paula Airport, Santa Paula, California - early 1970s
This aircraft was exported to Mexico in 1991.")
![Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1944] N681S (BuNo 55585)
Confederate Air Force Airshow, Denton, Texas - June 1984
Since production of the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat by General Motors didn't begin until mid-1943, none of them actually ever wore the pre-WWII colors sported by this example. It still looks nice, but it would look better on an actual F4F model.
Just for history's sake, the paint scheme represents an F4F-3 Wildcat of VF-41, serial number 41-F-4 (BuNo 1850), stationed aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) in 1940.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-srLtnxx/1/Ti/Grumman%20FM-2%20Wildcat%20%5B1944%5D%20N681S%20%28BuNo%2055585%29%201-Ti.jpg "Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1944] N681S (BuNo 55585)
Confederate Air Force Airshow, Denton, Texas - June 1984
Since production of the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat by General Motors didn't begin until mid-1943, none of them actually ever wore the pre-WWII colors sported by this example. It still looks nice, but it would look better on an actual F4F model.
Just for history's sake, the paint scheme represents an F4F-3 Wildcat of VF-41, serial number 41-F-4 (BuNo 1850), stationed aboard USS Ranger (CV-4) in 1940.")
![Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1944] N681S (BuNo 55585)
Confederate Air Force Airshow, Denton, Texas - July 1984
General Motors FM-2 BuNo 55585 went to civil registry as N681S with American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Midland, Texas, and was operated by the Commemorative Air Force. Sadly, N681S was written off on Oct 18, 2003 when it stalled and crashed while trying to land behind a B-24 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The pilot at the time, 62-year-old William K Johnson, sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Registration N585FM was reserved on Dec 22, 2008, so it looks as if it may be under rebuild. Registration N585FM was taken up on Jan 13, 2009.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-M5zGFqC/1/Ti/Grumman%20FM-2%20Wildcat%20%5B1944%5D%20N681S%20%28BuNo%2055585%29%203-Ti.jpg "Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1944] N681S (BuNo 55585)
Confederate Air Force Airshow, Denton, Texas - July 1984
General Motors FM-2 BuNo 55585 went to civil registry as N681S with American Airpower Heritage Flying Museum, Midland, Texas, and was operated by the Commemorative Air Force. Sadly, N681S was written off on Oct 18, 2003 when it stalled and crashed while trying to land behind a B-24 at Ellington Field in Houston, Texas. The pilot at the time, 62-year-old William K Johnson, sustained fatal injuries in the crash. Registration N585FM was reserved on Dec 22, 2008, so it looks as if it may be under rebuild. Registration N585FM was taken up on Jan 13, 2009.")
![Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1945] N18P (BuNo 86960)
Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison, Texas - April 2008
A shot showing the pecucliar but effective wing-folding method of the Wildcat, where it rotates as it folds back, which also appeared on the TBF/TBM Avenger. This shot also shows the main external difference of the FM-2 over the F4F -- the larger tail. The F4F's tail only came up to about where the balancing tab on FM-2's rudder is. The additional rudder surface was to compensate for the larger and more powerful engine of the FM-2.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-TQfLg9T/1/Ti/Grumman%20F4F%3AFM-2%20Wildcat-Ti.jpg "Grumman FM-2 Wildcat [1945] N18P (BuNo 86960)
Cavanaugh Flight Museum, Addison, Texas - April 2008
A shot showing the pecucliar but effective wing-folding method of the Wildcat, where it rotates as it folds back, which also appeared on the TBF/TBM Avenger. This shot also shows the main external difference of the FM-2 over the F4F -- the larger tail. The F4F's tail only came up to about where the balancing tab on FM-2's rudder is. The additional rudder surface was to compensate for the larger and more powerful engine of the FM-2.")
Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.
![Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.](http://highroad.smugmug.com/Airplanes/Aircraft-I-Have-Met/i-G6htdBG/1/L/Grumman%20J2F-6%3AOA-12%20Duck%20%5B2%5D-L.jpg "Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.")
Grumman J2F-6 Duck [1945] N8563F (BuNo 33587)
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.
National Museum of the USAF, Dayton, Ohio - April 2008
This airplane was originally delivered to the US Coast Guard as a J2F-6 (BuNo 33587). It was painted by the museum to be an OA-12 (s/n 48-563), the Air Force rescue version, although it never flew under those numbers. I found out in my research that this airplane is the very one used in Murphy's War.