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USAF Museum: Korean War


gwb123
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While not the largest display in the National Museum of the United States Air Force, the Korean War Gallery has a lot to offer.

 

This is a sample.

 

Fought from 1950 to 1953, it was sometimes referred to as "the Forgotten War", being sandwiched between World War II and Vietnam.

 

It none the less resulted in possibly over a million dead on both sides, with the US suffering 36,574 dead, almost 8,000 MIA and over 109,000 wounded.

 

As time has moved on, the Korean War is probably now receiving more notice and study than in the past, partly because of the resurgent dangers coming from the North.

 

The war featured the dawn of true jet to jet combat while piston powered aircraft still made major contributions. Air to ground support was refined further than had been achieved in World War II and laid the ground work for future wars. The same can be said for special operations.

 

Photo: http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/KoreanWarGallery.aspx

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Pilot returning from Mig Alley, accompanied by a member of his ground crew. Note the details of the harness.

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I will have to admit not realizing how colorful the Air Force in particular was during the Korean War. Much of this was due to the traditions of squadron colors and insignia from World War II. However, many of the Asian made items and locally designed insignia added a new dimension.

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From the same parachute. Looking closely at the center design, a "VIP" is being carried on a traditional Korean A frame pack frame, comfortably resting his feet on a cushion that says USA on it.

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Additional views of insignia. Note that the one with multiple flags has cross stitching to strengthen the threads.

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One of the better known insignia from the Korean War was for the "Mosquitoes", pilots who flew forward air control missions using AT-6 aircraft.

 

Notice it being applied to the Air Police helmet as well.

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As mention, forward air control was often worked with using AT-6 aircraft.

 

From the USAF Museum website:

 

"During the Korean War, airborne forward air controllers (FACs) chose the T-6 as the best available aircraft because it could operate from small, rough airstrips and was easy to maintain. More importantly, the T-6 was faster and more rugged than the light liaison aircraft they initially flew. Even though this World War II trainer was not designed to fly in combat, it performed well in its role as an airborne FAC (or "Mosquito"). The T-6, originally known as the Texan, was the sole single-engine advanced trainer for the USAAF during WWII, and 15,495 were built between 1938 and 1945. The T-6 continued to train pilots in the newly formed USAF.

The T-6D on display at the museum (S/N 42-84216) flew as an early Mosquito with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Group during the first two years of the Korean War. Ironically, it was converted to a mosquito spraying aircraft in 1952. Two years later, the USAF transferred it to the fledgling Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). After retiring this aircraft, the ROKAF placed it on display outside for several years. The National Museum of the United States Air Force acquired it in 1995, and after restoration it went on display in 2001."

 

Photograph from USAF Museum:

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196107/north-american-t-6d-mosquito.aspx

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Working with the Mosquito FAC's were the Tactical Air Control parties:

 

"An Air Force TACP (Tactical Air Control Party) consisted of an experienced Mosquito pilot, a radio operator, a radio mechanic and one or two radio jeeps. TACP personnel lived as soldiers during their tour at the front and carried weapons to defend themselves against attack -- they were unofficially nicknamed the "Air Force infantry."

The original mission of the TACP was to directly control air strikes at the front line. The visual limits of these ground-based observers in Korea's mountains, however, led to the creation of the highly successful Mosquito airborne forward air controllers (FACs). Though the airborne FACs directed most of the air strikes, the TACPs continued to play an important role.

The TACPs became communication links between ground commanders, airborne Mosquito FACs, and strike aircraft (the TACP jeeps were the only ground units at the front that could communicate between incompatible radio systems). They also coordinated artillery fire with air strikes. Further, having an experienced Mosquito pilot so close at hand enabled ground commanders to effectively use air power."

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196367/tactical-air-control-parties.aspx

 

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Another view of the TACP display... it looks like a mix of WWII and Korean era equipment and uniform parts being used.

 

 

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We'll turn now to some of the aircraft on display... such as this F-86A.

 

The inside view is from the Cold War exhibit F-86H which reminds us of just how complex these aircraft actually were under the skin.

 

 

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Their immediate adversary was of course the Mig-15.

 

This example is actually a very famous aircraft. This is the very Mig-15 that was flown by a defector into Allied hands and is seen in period photos under inspection and heavy guard.

 

Despite my preference for US aircraft, this was a pretty impressive thing to see.

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This F-84E demonstrates the lack of constraint for color schemes and personalization during the era. Compare this to the almost sterile aircraft markings of the later Cold War period.

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Despite the arrival of jet fighters, prop driven aircraft still played a role in the conflict, including this rare F-82G "Twin Mustang" painted as a night fighter.

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The B-26 would fight in three wars, Korea included. Again, note the night camouflage scheme, somewhat undone by the colorful markings.

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One of the oddest aircraft there was this B-45C, a straight winged jet bomber. This is not one you are going to see very often.

 

"The B-45 achieved many "firsts." It was the first American four-engine jet bomber to fly; the first American production jet bomber; the first jet bomber capable of carrying an atomic bomb; and the first multi-jet reconnaissance aircraft to refuel in mid-air.

Design of the Tornado began during World War II, and the B-45 made its first flight in March 1947. North American built 142 B-45s, including 10 long-range B-45Cs with wingtip fuel tanks and 33 RB-45Cs configured for high-altitude photo reconnaissance and aerial refueling.

Based at RAF Sculthorpe, England, from 1952-1958, B-45s of the 47th Bomb Wing (Light) were a key nuclear deterrent against a Soviet ground attack in Europe. Also flying from RAF Sculthorpe were USAF RB-45Cs from the USAF 19th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron and Royal Air Force (RAF) Special Duty Flight crews. These RAF RB-45 crews flew highly classified reconnaissance missions deep into communist territory.

The aircraft on display was returned to the USAF by Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Division, where it had been on loan for engine testing. Flown to the museum in 1971, it is painted in the markings of the 47th Bomb Wing (Light)."

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196105/north-american-b-45c-tornado.aspx

 

 

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B-29's of course were used for strategic bombing.

 

This is the front section of "Command Decision", actually named for the WWII based movie. The B-29's advanced gunnery systems held up during the Korean conflict, and this aircraft is actually credited with shooting down 5 attacking Migs!

 

This display is unique as you can actually walk through the bomb bay and out through the front cockpit of the aircraft.

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/195885/b-29-walk-through-fuselage.aspx

 

Strategic Bombing campaign:

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196085/strategic-bombing-new-flexibility.aspx

 

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Helicopters, first used in WWII, came into full use during the Korean War. Here is a YH-5A. Compared to modern helicopters, it looks like a bare minimal airframe. It took brave men to fly these.

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As petite as the helicopter was, the largest thing in the exhibit is this huge C-124C.

 

"C-124s provided heavy airlift during the Korean War and the Southeast Asia War. Other important airlifts conducted by C-124s included resupply missions to Antarctica, refugee evacuation in the Congo and mercy flights to Morocco, Chile and elsewhere throughout the world following floods and other natural disasters.

The C-124 evolved from the earlier Douglas C-74. The first flight of the C-124 took place on Nov. 27, 1949, and deliveries of C-124As began in May 1950. The U.S. Air Force bought 448 C-124s before production ended in 1955.

To facilitate cargo handling, the C-124, or "Old Shakey" as it was affectionately known, featured "clamshell" loading doors and hydraulic ramps in the nose and an elevator under the aft fuselage. It was capable of handling such bulky cargo as tanks, field guns, bulldozers and trucks. It could also be converted into a transport capable of carrying 200 fully-equipped soldiers or 127 litter patients and their attendants in its double-decked cabin."

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/FactSheets/Display/tabid/509/Article/196101/douglas-c-124-globemaster-ii.aspx

 

You can see the size of this aircraft compared to the people standing in front of it.

 

We take this for granted today, but the ability for the US to use such aircraft to send troops and equipment in such large quantities across the world was a significant advantage for our forces during the war.

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As I said, this has just been a sample of what can be seen at the USAF Museum's Korean War Gallery.

 

Even if you cannot visit, I strongly encourage visiting the museum's website. The section on the Korean War has an extensive collection of period photographs that can be downloaded and viewed in high definition. You will not find a better on-line source for aircraft as well as airmen equipment and uniforms.

 

I hope you enjoyed the tour!

 

http://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Visit/MuseumExhibits/KoreanWarGallery.aspx

 

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