B-47E Stratojet

The B-47 was designed as a jet powered intercontinental strategic bomber after the second World War. It was the first jet bomber to utilize a swept wing design and bicycle landing gear, as clearly can be seen in the photograph. The underside of all aircraft were painted white to deflect the heat of nuclear explosions. Boeing designers tested fifty different engine positions before finally placing them.

The B-47 at the March Field Museum is an E model serial number 53-2275. It was manufactured by Boeing Aircraft in Wichita, Kansas and delivered to the Air Force on 14 February 1955. Over its career it was assigned to the Strategic Air Command and based at Andersen Air Base on Guam and at March Air Force Base. It flew with the 303rd, 40th and 22nd Bombardment Wings and the 2881st Air Defense Division. The aircraft was retired from Air Force service in 1964.

YF-14A Tomcat

The F-14 came about after the Navy dropped its interest in the F-111 as an maritime interceptor. Grumman designed the F-14 to replace the F-4 Phantom on the US Navy carriers. The Navy was looking for a carrier based all weather air superiority fighter. The variable sweep wings are computer controlled and automatically adjust to the most effective position. At full forward sweep this large and heavy aircraft can take off in less than 1000 feet. The F-14 weapon systems can track up to 24 targets 100 miles away. The system can attack six targets simultaneously with the long range Phoenix missiles.

The aircraft on display at the museum is a preproduction A model, serial number BUNO 157990, and it is on loan from the U.S. Navy. It was number 11 of 12 test aircraft built. The number 11 airframe participated on the USS Independence, testing it's suitability for carrier use. It was towed on its landing gear in the middle of the night along Highway 60 from Pomona to March Field in September of 1992.

Nowadays, the tomcat is fully restored and repainted. Obviously that wasn't the case when this photo was made back in 1999.

The T-38 Talon is now placed outside the museum ground as one of the gate guards. The nose of the C-119 was replaced in 2003 by an new one. The SR-71 was photographed just after arrival in 1999. It's now placed on the museum ground and not as photo genetic as in this location.

Thanks to the March Field Museum crew for letting me in, back in 99, before official museum opening times. Special thanks to the March Field Museum internet site, for providing the background information.