USA STAMPS 1997 - AAAXtremecollectors

Classic American Aircraft

Issue Date & City: July 19, 1997 Dayton, OH

Model D (header): The Curtiss D was suited to exhibition flying because of its maneuverability and easy disassembly and reassembly for shipment between exhibition locations. First manufactured in 1909, it was dubbed the "Headless Pusher" because of its lack of a forward elevator surface.

Sabre (header): During the Korean conflict, North American F-86 Sabres destroyed almost 800 Soviet-built MiG-15s, while losing fewer than 80 of their own. The Sabre soon became the definitive fighter for many air forces of the world.

Mustang: The North American P-51 Mustang was considered one of the best fighters of World War II. Unlike other fighters, it was conceived during the war and built on the basis of combat experience.

Model B: A slightly modified version of the Wright Model B Flyer was the first model produced in quantity by the Wright Brothers. It is representative of planes purchased by the Army in 1911 and used for training pilots and in aerial experiments. A Model B was used for the first military trials of a bombsight and bomb-dropping device.

Cub: First built in 1937, the Piper J-3 Cub became one of America’s most popular low-price light planes.

Vega: During 1931, the first year of the Lockheed Vega’s production, Ruth Nichols piloted a Vega to women’s records in altitude, speed and distance. That same year, Wiley Post and Harold Gatty, also flying a Vega, set a new record for flying around the world (just over 8 1/2 days). Later, Post would accomplish the feat alone in the same plane. The Vega also was a favorite of flying legend Amelia Earhart.

Alpha: The sleek, single-engine Northrop Alpha carried passengers in an enclosed cabin, along with 465 lbs. of mail, although the pilot flew in an open cockpit. The Alpha was used mainly for flying experimental routes, and was retired from service in the mid-1930s.

B-10: The Martin B-10, produced in 1935, was the first modern-day all-metal single-wing bomber to be produced in quantity, and featured innovations such as internal bomb storage, retractable landing gear, a rotating gun turret and enclosed cockpits. The B-10 was 50 percent faster than its contemporary biplane bombers and as fast as most fighter planes.

Corsair: Beginning in the 1940s, the Chance Vought Corsair F4U was one of the Navy’s most popular and effective aircraft carrier-based fighters.

Stratojet: In 1947, the Boeing B-47 Stratojet was produced for the newly formed U.S. Air Force and became perhaps the most important military jet aircraft of all time because of its influence on world events and aircraft design.

Gee Bee: Legendary pilot and scientist James "Jimmy" Doolittle won the coveted 100-mile Thompson Trophy Race in 1932 flying a Gee Bee Super-Sportster at an average speed of more than 252 m.p.h. The stubby, bumblebee-like craft named after its manufacturer, Granville Brothers, was powerful, fast and dangerous due to its giant engine, short wings, rearward cockpit and teardrop shape.

Staggerwing: The Beech Model C17L Staggerwing earned its name from the placement of its lower wing ahead of the upper wing. The Staggerwing first flew in 1932, and became popular for luxury, private and business transport.

Flying Fortress: The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famous airplanes ever built. A prototype first flew in 1935, but mass production didn’t begin until the 1940s. The Flying Fortress served in every WW II combat zone, but is best known for daylight strategic bombing of German industrial targets.

Stearman: The Stearman PT-13 biplane was built in 1939 by Stearman Aircraft, a division of Boeing, as a primary trainer for the Army.

Constellation: The famed Lockheed Constellation was first used in the early 1940s as a military transport plane. Later versions were used as commercial cargo and passenger carriers, executive transports and airborne early warning radar ships. Orville Wright, at 72, piloted a C-69 "Connie" during his last flight.

Lightning: Designed in 1937, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the only American fighter in continuous production before, during and after World War II. The long-range Lightning served in every theater of the war and was credited with shooting down the most enemy aircraft.

Peashooter: Affectionately called the "Peashooter," the Boeing P-26 was the U.S. Army Air Corps’ first all-metal single-wing fighter and the last with an open cockpit, fixed landing gear and wire-braced wings. First flown in 1932, the P-26 was the Air Corps’ primary fighter in the mid-1930s.

Tri-Motor: The Ford Tri-Motor was extremely popular at the time of its design in the late 1920s. Although noisy and drafty, the Tri-Motor was relatively comfortable. Its sturdy all-metal body and three engines gave it a reputation for reliability.

DC-3: The Douglas DC-3 was designed as a sleeper to carry 21 passengers (and later 28 or more) overnight from New York to Los Angeles. With a full load, it was the first transport airplane that could fly passengers without mail and still make a profit. Its streamlined, versatile design and strong wing construction made it an exceptional aircraft. At least 400 are still flying today.

314 Clipper: The Boeing 314 Clipper is considered the greatest of all civil flying boats. Forty passengers could be carried in cruise ship comfort, and the aircraft was renowned for its reliability in serving both Pacific and North Atlantic routes.

Jenny: The Curtiss JN-4 Jenny was America’s most famous training plane of World War I. Thousands of pilots earned their wings aboard the Jenny.

Wildcat: The Grumman F4F Wildcat fought at Wake Island in the early days of World War II and established its reputation as a rugged, dependable fighter during the carrier battles of Coral Sea and Midway in 1942. Its heavy armament and solid construction enabled it to win air combats against overwhelming odds, and bring its pilots home safely.