Museum Tour: Korean War | Air Force Museum Foundation | The Air Force Museum Foundation, Inc.

Aerial warfare took a technological step forward during the Korean War. This conflict saw wide-spread use of both jet aircraft and helicopters. The USAF’s participation in Korea is displayed in photos and memorabilia throughout the Korean War Gallery.

The Lockheed F-80C “Shooting Star” was the first American aircraft to exceed 500mph in level flight. It was a day-fighter, fighter-bomber and photo reconnaissance aircraft during the Korean War.

The helicopter proved its worth during the Korean War. It was used extensively for rescue and medical evacuation work. The Sikorsky H-19 was used by all military services as well as the Air Force.

The Douglas A-26 “Invader” was another bomber developed in WWII that saw service in Korea. It became an important part of the USAF interdiction campaign against communist ground forces.

One of the largest aircraft in the Museum is the C-124 “Globemaster.It was used extensively as a strategic airlifter during the Korean War and the Southeast Asia War.

Although jet fighters were used extensively in the Korean War, a few World War II fighters such as the F-51 Mustang and the F-82 Twin Mustang were used in the early days of the war.

The North American F-82 “Twin Mustang” was developed as a long range escort fighterfor the Pacific Theater during WWII, but wastoo late to participate in that war. Later, all weather versions equipped with radar pods were used as night fighters in Korea until superseded by the F-94B.

Located in the Korean War Gallery is a fuselage of a B-29 that the public can walk through. The fuselage is painted in the markings of “Command Decision” which shot down five Soviet built MiG 15 jet fighters and qualified as a bomber “jet ace.”

The North American T-6 “Texan” trainer found a new mission during the Korean War as a Forward Air Controller (FAC) aircraft.

Although many associate the air war in Korea in terms of the duels between F-86 “Sabres” and the MiG-15s, other aircraft played significant roles in the war.

Itazuke Tower referred to an airbase in Japan that was used extensively by American aircraft during the Korean War.

The Korean War saw the first jet versus jet dogfights with the main battles of the war fought by the North American “Sabres” of the United States Air Force and the MiG-15 flown by the North Korean Air Force. The F-84F was used extensively by the USAF for interdiction and close air support.

This diorama inspired by a popular photograph of the time depicts the close relationship between a pilot and the ground crew that maintains his fighter aircraft.