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World War II: Plane is built but too late to be used in combat
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1957: Plane is sold surplus
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1970's: Plane is converted into an agricultural sprayer
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1989: Plan is withdrawn from use and placed in storage
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1993: Plane is ferried to Jerome, ID, and placed in open storage.
Lockheed PV-2 Harpoon S/N 15-1137
Douglas C-54
The Douglas C-54 Skymaster is a four-engined transport aircraft used by the United States Army Air Forces in World War II and the Korean War. Like the Douglas C-47 Skytrain derived from the DC-3, the C-54 Skymaster was derived from a civilian airliner, the Douglas DC-4. Besides transport of cargo, the C-54 also carried presidents, prime ministers, and military staff. Dozens of variants of the C-54 were employed in a wide variety of non-combat roles such as air-sea rescue, scientific and military research, and missile tracking and recovery. During the Berlin Airlift it hauled coal and food supplies to West Berlin. After the Korean War it continued to be used for military and civilian uses by more than 30 countries. It was one of the first aircraft to carry the President of the United States, the first being President Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II.
Grumman C-1
Trader
The Grumman C-1 Trader was a U.S. Navy carrier-based transport aircraft developed in the 1950s, notable for being the Navy’s first dedicated Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD) airplane.
Origins and Development
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Manufacturer: Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation
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First flight: 19 January 1955
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Entered service: 1956
The C-1 Trader was developed from the Grumman S-2 Tracker, an antisubmarine warfare aircraft. Grumman adapted the S-2’s robust carrier-capable airframe into a transport by:
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Enlarging the fuselage to carry cargo and passengers
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Adding a rear cargo door
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Removing antisubmarine warfare equipment
This approach reduced development cost and ensured excellent carrier suitability.
Design and Capabilities
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Engines: Two Wright R-1820 Cyclone radial engines
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Crew: 3–4
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Capacity:
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Up to ~9,000 lb (4,100 kg) of cargo
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Or 24 passengers
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Key features:
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Short takeoff and landing (STOL) capability
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Strengthened landing gear for carrier operations
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Ability to carry bulky loads, including jet engines
Operational History
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Primary role: Carrier Onboard Delivery (COD)
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Operator: United States Navy
The C-1 Trader revolutionized carrier logistics by allowing:
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Rapid delivery of personnel, mail, spare parts, and supplies
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Transport of jet engines directly to aircraft carriers at sea
It served extensively during:
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The Cold War
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The Vietnam War, where it proved vital for maintaining high sortie rates
Variants
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C-1A: Main production version, built for COD duties
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TF-1: Original designation before being redesignated C-1A in 1962
A total of 88 aircraft were built.
Pics coming soon.
The B-17C Project is an undertaking to build a new B-17 but incorporate original parts into the design. Once completed, it will be the world's only airworthy shark tail B-17 - a rare piece of aviation that everyone can experience right here in our Spanish Fork facility!
Saab Draken
Heading 4
The Saab Draken (officially Saab 35 Draken) was a Swedish supersonic fighter aircraft and one of the most distinctive Cold War jets, famous for its double-delta wing and its role in defending Sweden’s neutrality.
Origins and Development
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Manufacturer: Saab (Svenska Aeroplan AB)
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Design start: Late 1940s
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First flight: 25 October 1955
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Entered service: 1960
In the early Cold War, Sweden needed a high-performance interceptor capable of:
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Defending against Soviet bombers
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Operating from short, dispersed road bases (Sweden’s Bas 60 system)
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Flying at supersonic speeds at high altitude
Saab’s engineers, led by Erik Bratt, developed the revolutionary double-delta wing, combining:
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A steep inner delta for high-speed flight
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A shallower outer delta for good low-speed handling and short takeoff/landing
This made the Draken one of the first operational Mach 2 fighters in Western Europe.
Design and Technology
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Engine: Volvo RM6 (license-built Rolls-Royce Avon)
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Top speed: Mach 2.0+
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Role: Interceptor / fighter
Key innovations:
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Double-delta wing (a world first in service)
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Advanced (for its time) radar and fire-control systems
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Ability to operate from 800 m (2,600 ft) runways or roads
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High climb rate for bomber interception
Early pilots discovered the Draken’s ability to perform the dramatic “cobra” maneuver, decades before it became famous with modern Russian jets—though it was not intended as a combat tactic.
Operational History
Sweden
The Draken served as Sweden’s primary air-defense fighter from the 1960s into the 1980s, guarding Swedish airspace during some of the tensest years of the Cold War.
Main Swedish variants included:
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J 35A/B: Early interceptors
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J 35D: Improved engine and avionics
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J 35F: Main all-weather interceptor version
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J 35J: Final upgraded Swedish version (1980s)
Export and International Service
The Draken was one of Saab’s first major export successes.
Operators included:
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Denmark: Strike and reconnaissance versions (F-35 / RF-35)
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Finland: Interceptor variants
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Austria: Air defense fighters
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United States: Former Danish Drakens used as aggressor aircraft by the National Test Pilot School and private contractors
Each export version was tailored to national requirements, especially Denmark’s multirole and reconnaissance needs.
Combat Use
The Saab Draken never saw air-to-air combat, reflecting Sweden’s neutrality. However:
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It regularly intercepted NATO and Warsaw Pact aircraft near Swedish airspace
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Danish Drakens were prepared for strike missions during Cold War contingencies