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Castle Air Museum
Castle Air Museum is located in Atwater, a small town in Central California. The museum resides near Castle Airport, which operated as Castle Air Force Base during the Cold War and was home to the 93rd Bombardment Wing of Strategic Air Command. Its collection numbers over seventy historical military aircraft, the majority of which are displayed outdoors.
I visited the museum during their Fall 2019 Open Cockpit Day, when several aircraft are opened for visitors to explore.
The Collection (most of it)
Castle Air Force Base was established in 1941 as the Army Air Corps Basic Flying School. Pilots would learn to fly through a series of training aircraft, one of which was the North American T-6 Texan. This particular aircraft was operated by the Royal Canadian Air Force prior to its acquisition by the museum.
The Vultee BT-13 Valiant was an intermediate trainer for pilots during World War II. Pilots would fly the Valiant before progressing to the Texan.
A prewar development of the DC-2 airliner, the Douglas B-18 Bolo medium bomber was obsolete by the time World War II broke out. Nevertheless the Bolo contributed to the sinking of several German submarines off the Atlantic coast. The B-18B on display was modified for anti-submarine patrols and later served as a crop sprayer, cargo transport, and fire tanker.
Designed as a successor to the B-18, the Douglas B-23 Dragon never saw combat during World War II, having been passed over in favor of more advanced medium bombers. Several Dragons, such this one, were converted to UC-67 executive transports.
The C-45 Expeditor is a military variant of the Beechcraft Model 18. Expeditors were used to train aircrew, conduct reconnaissance, and transport light cargo.
Throughout World War II, the versatile North American B-25 Mitchell proved capable of a variety of missions ranging from ground attack to anti-shipping. The museum’s aircraft is a B-25J, the final and most numerous version of the Mitchell.
A speedy ground-attack bomber, the Douglas A-26 Invader saw action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The museum’s A-26 served in the Salvadoran Air Force from 1969 to 1974.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress earned its nickname from its extensive defensive armament and ability to sustain damage. B-17s were an integral component of the daylight air campaign against Nazi Germany. The Flying Fortress on display is a B-17G, which incorporated the iconic Bendix chin turret.
The most-produced heavy bomber in history, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator flew alongside B-17s over Europe. The B-24’s superior range allowed it to supplant the Flying Fortress in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress, featuring a pressurized cabin and computer-controlled gun turrets, was a state-of-the-art aircraft when it first flew in 1942. B-29s carried out bombing missions during World War II and Korea. This Superfortress is a composite of three separate aircraft and is rumored to be haunted by unidentified spirits.
Of the various transports available during World War II, only the Curtiss C-46 Commando could transit the air supply route over the Himalayas and deliver much-needed material to China. The C-46D on display had previously served with the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.
A conversion of the DC-3 airliner, the Douglas C-47 Skytrain continues to fly throughout the world. This C-47 bears alternating black and white invasion stripes to reduce friendly fire during the Normandy landings.
Derived from the Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar, the C-56 was used to transport personnel. This example was acquired during World War II by the South African Air Force and converted into a light bomber.
The C-54 Skymaster was based on the Douglas DC-4 airliner and the first aircraft to bear the designation “Air Force One.” This Skymaster was one of many transports which flew in the Berlin Airlift.
The United States Air Force’s first jet bomber, the North American B-45 Tornado entered service in 1948. The B-45 flew reconnaissance missions during the Korean War and equipped several air wings of Strategic Air Command during the 1950s. The museum’s Tornado is one of three remaining B-45s in the world.
After World War II, the B-29 design incorporated several engine and structural improvements, resulting in the B-50 Superfortress. The 93rd Bombardment Wing was equipped with B-50s in the early Cold War years. This aircraft is a WB-50 weather reconnaissance variant.
The KC-97 Stratofreighter is a variant of the C-97 Stratofreighter (itself a variant of the B-29 Superfortress) specialized for aerial refueling. Several KC-97s were outfitted with jet engines to better match the speed of jet aircraft during refueling operations.
Related to the Boeing 707, the KC-135 Stratotanker succeeded the KC-97 in the aerial refueling role. The Stratotanker remains in service with the United States Air Force.
Boasting the longest wingspan of any military aircraft ever built, the Convair B-36 Peacemaker is also the largest piston aircraft to enter mass production. Designed during World War II, the B-36 would provide the United States with the capability to strike Nazi Germany from bases in North America. While the aircraft did not enter service until after World War II, the Peacemaker remained an integral component of Strategic Air Command’s deterrence force during the early Cold War. The aircraft on display is a reconnaissance RB-36H.
The Boeing B-47 Stratojet, with its six turbojets and swept wing, encompassed recent postwar technological advances. Prior to the advent of intercontinental ballistic missiles, aircraft such as the B-47 provided nuclear deterrence against the Soviet Union. The museum’s B-47E was the last of its kind to ever fly.
Having equipped the bomber wings of the United States Air Force since 1955, the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is expected to remain in service for many years to come. This B-52D was active during the Vietnam War and is painted in wartime camouflage.
Designed to fly faster and higher than existing Soviet interceptors, the Convair B-58 Hustler holds the distinction of being the world’s first operational supersonic bomber. However, the B-58’s career was cut short by the introduction of Soviet surface-to-air missiles.
The United States’ first jet fighter, the Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star arrived in Europe in the waning moments of World War II but did not see combat. The Shooting Star would later see combat during the Korean War against Soviet-built MiG-15s.
Ready to intercept incoming Soviet bombers, the Lockheed F-94 Starfire was one of the first jet fighters to be equipped with radar. F94s flying at night scored several victories during the Korean War.
When it entered service in 1947, the Republic F-84 Thunderjet was the first United States Air Force fighter jet capable of carrying nuclear weapons. During the Korean War, the Thunderjet was outclassed by the MiG-15 but excelled in the ground-attack role.
An evolution of the Thunderjet, the Republic F-84F Thunderstreak lacked the performance of contemporary swept-wing fighters but found success as a ground-attack platform. During the Cold War, NATO Thunderstreaks were armed and prepared for tactical nuclear strikes against the Warsaw Pact.
Later versions of the North American F-86 Sabre added nose-mounted radar and a more potent assortment of weaponry. These Sabre Dogs flew as interceptors and were equipped with either cannons or aerial rockets.
Patrolling the arctic skies, the Northrop F-89 Scorpion was sluggish but heavily armed. Later versions of the Scorpion were armed with wingtip rockets and Genie air-to-air nuclear missiles.
Intended to be an escort fighter, the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo was instead used as a nuclear strike fighter, interceptor, and photoreconnaissance aircraft. A difficult aircraft to fly, the Voodoo nevertheless broke multiple speed records, earning the nickname “One-Oh-Wonder.”
The lightweight, supersonic Lockheed F-104 Starfighter was not agile enough for dogfighting but found roles in ground attack, interception, and photoreconnaissance. Many NATO members operated the Starfighter, with several flying until the twenty-first century.
An all-weather interceptor, the Convair F-106 Delta Dart defended the skies of North America against potential Soviet bombing raids. Its avionics were linked with ground systems, allowing the Delta Dart to seamlessly detect and acquire targets.
Taking to the skies for the first time in 1958, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was a large but powerful fighter aircraft. An icon of the Cold War, the Phantom was deployed by many foreign air forces, several of which continue to operate the aircraft. The jet on display is a F-4E painted in Thunderbirds livery.
The first carrier-based fighter to break the sound barrier, the Vought F-8 Crusader featured a unique variable-incidence wing which allowed for lower landing speeds. Despite being outdated by the Vietnam War, F-8s scored several victories against MiG fighters. This particular aircraft is a reconnaissance RF-8G.
With its long range and advanced radar, the iconic Grumman F-14 Tomcat defended friendly fleets against airborne threats. Several F-14s were sold to Iran and remain in service with the Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force.
With over 100 victories against zero losses in aerial combat, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle remains one of the world’s most formidable air supremacy aircraft.
The lightweight and agile General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is the world’s first fly-by-wire fighter aircraft. Its affordability, versality, and performance allows the Fighting Falcon to be widely exported across the globe. The aircraft on display is a F-16A.
A light attack aircraft, the Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is small enough to fit aboard carriers without the need for folding wings. The aircraft on display is an A-4L.
The first aircraft to drop bombs on North Vietnam, the Douglas A-3 Skywarrior was designed to give aircraft carriers a means to deliver nuclear ordinance. Several aircraft were converted for electronic warfare and tanker duties. The Skywarrior, also known as the “Whale,” remains the largest aircraft to ever operate from a carrier.
The carrier-based North American A-5 Vigilante was designed to execute nuclear strikes at twice the speed of sound. While advanced for its time, the introduction of submarine-based nuclear missiles brought an early end to the A-5’s career as a bomber. Afterwards, most Vigilantes (such as this one) were converted into RA-5C reconnaissance aircraft.
A license-produced English Electric Canberra light bomber, the Martin B-57 Canberra flew bombing and reconnaissance missions over Southeast Asia. Several highly modified B-57s are in service with NASA.
The largest single-seat aircraft in history, the supersonic Republic F-105 Thunderchief fighter-bomber carried out the most ground-attack missions during the Vietnam War. The aircraft on display is a F-105B.
The General Dynamics FB-111 Aardvark was the world’s first operational swing-wing aircraft and a bomber capable of flying high-speed nuclear missions into the Soviet Union.
Designed to detect and destroy submarines, the Grumman S-2 Tracker combined the “hunter” and “killer” roles into a single platform.
A derivative of the Grumman A-6 Intruder, the recently-retired Northrop-Grumman EA-6B Prowler was optimized for electronic warfare and played a key role in the First Gulf War.
Unlike most helicopters, the Kaman HH-43 Huskie utilizes an intermeshing rotor configuration, negating the need for a tail rotor. The Huskie was well suited for firefighting and rescue operations. During the Vietnam War, the HH-43 flew missions to retrieve downed pilots.
The tandem-rotor Boeing CH-47 Chinook has been flying since the early 1960s and is capable of quickly transporting heavy loads.
The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver, designated U-6A by the US Army, was used during Korea and Vietnam to transport passengers, evacuate patients, and conduct reconaissance.
A postwar trainer, the Beech T-34 Mentor is a derivative of the civilian Beechcraft Bonanza.
Known as the Tweet for the noise emitted by its engines, the Cessna T-37 is a trainer that was subsequently developed into the A-37 Dragonfly ground attack aircraft.
The world’s first supersonic trainer, the Northrop T-38 Talon has been training pilots for over half a century.
During the Vietnam War, the Cessna O-2 Super Skymaster served as forward air controllers, directing ground attack aircraft to their targets.
Developed from the Cessna 310, the U-3A Blue Canoe is a light transport aircraft.
Somewhat resembling the F-86 Sabre fighter, the North American T-39 Sabreliner is the only business jet allowed to perform aerobatic maneuvers.
A heavily modified Lockheed Super Constellation airliner, the Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star carried radar and other electronic equipment in search of external threats. The aircraft saw extensive action during the Vietnam War, collecting intelligence information and directing US fighters towards their targets.
The Convair C-131 Samaritan was mainly used for executive transport and medical evacuations. The aircraft on display is a Coast Guard HC-131.
During the Korean War, the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar delivered troops, supplies, and prefabricated bridges. Following the war, the aircraft was used to retrieve satellites and drones.
During the Vietnam War, the Fairchild C-123 Provider was used to spray Agent Orange.
A ubiquitous transport aircraft, the Lockheed C-130 Hercules can be seen across the world flying a variety of missions.
The Grumman HU-16 Albatross flying boat mainly flew search and rescue missions. Some were modified for antisubmarine warfare.
An airshow favorite due to the distinctive howl of its four Olympus engines, the Avro Vulcan was one of three British “V bombers” in service during the Cold War. Despite its massive size, the Vulcan’s delta wing provided remarkable high-altitude maneuverability.
Canada’s first supersonic fighter, the Avro-Canada CF-100 Canuck flew air defense missions during the early Cold War years.
Small, agile, and fast, the delta-winged Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21 remains the world’s most produced fighter aircraft. The MiG-21 “Fishbed” was widely exported and flown in numerous Cold War conflicts.
With its unique double-delta wing, the SAAB J35 Draken was one of Sweden’s premier Cold War fighters and fulfilled the air defense role for many European air forces. Through its advanced fire control and weaponry systems, the Draken remained formidable throughout the latter half of the twentieth century.
Capable of Mach 3 flight, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird flew high-altitude reconnaissance missions over the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
The McDonnell Douglas VC-9C on display served as a transport for several Presidents, First Ladies, and Cabinet members.