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Albatross
Mixed set of jets & props
Chaute Glider (Replica)
Constellation (Flying Radar)Replicas and Loaners
"Chanute 1986 Glider"
Wingspan: 15 ft. 7 in.
Length: 12 ft. 5 in.
Height: 6 ft. 10 3/4 in.
Weight: 43 lbs.
This replica of Octave Chanute's 1896 biplane glider was built by museum volunteers Anton Bilek and Richard Clark here at the museum. Chanute's original was the forerunner of the modern hang-glider. The "pilot" hung by his armpits from the wooden supports beneath the lower wing, throwing his weight from side to side to steer the craft. The aircraft featured Chanute's square-truss design, first employed in railroad bridge construction and later used by the Wright brothers on their 1903 Flyer.
Chanute Air Museum
"Wright 1903 Flyer"
Wingspan: 40 ft. 4 in.
Length: 21 ft. 0 in.
Height: 9 ft. 3 in.
Weight: 605 lbs without pilot
Engine: one Wright-Taylor 4-cylinder gasoline engine; 12 hp
Crew: 1
The Wright Flyer Project Team of Central Illinois has created an accurate reproduction of the first successful airplane, the Wright 1903 Flyer. On December 17th, 2003, a dedication ceremony was held at the museum for the Wright Flyer Project. This project involved the meticulous construction of both the Wright Flyer Airframe and machining of its engine.
"Curtiss JN-4 (Jenny) replica"
Wingspan: 43 ft. 7 in.
Length: 27 ft. 4 in.
Height: 9 ft. 10 in.
Weight: 1,430 lbs
Engine: one Curtiss OX-5 reciprocating; 90 HP
Speed: 75 MPH maximum
Armament: None
Crew: 2 (Instructor and student)
The Curtiss JN-4 was perhaps the most famous of all the American aircraft of the World War I era. The JN-4D was the most numerous version of the over 6,000 JN-4s built. Following the war, the plane became the workhorse of many "barnstormers" across the country.
The first "Jenny" arrived at Chanute Field in July 1917. The aircraft was used in flight training and aviation maintenance courses during World War I.
This replica was built by museum volunteers Anton Bilek and Richard Clark. It is painted to closely resemble the JN-4Ds assigned to Chanute Field.
"McDonnell Douglas RF-4C Phantom II"
Wingspan: 38 ft. 5 in.
Length: 62 ft. 11 in.
Height: 16 ft. 6 in.
Weight: 28,276 lbs empty; 58,000 lbs maximum takeoff
Engine: two General Electric J79-GE-15 turbojets; 17,000 lbs thrust each w/afterburner
Speed: 587 MPH cruise; 1,459 MPH maximum
Range: 1,750 miles with external fuel
Armament: None
Crew: 2
Until the development of the F-15 and F-16, the F-4 Phantom IIwas the backbone of the USAF fighter force. This popular aircraft was also used by the U.S. Navy and a variety of Western nations. The F-4 saw extensive combat service in Vietnam as a fighter and ground support aircraft. The Phantom was also used during Operation Desert Storm.
"Boeing C-97G Stratofreighter"
Wingspan: 141 ft. 3 in.
Length: 110 ft. 4 in.
Height: 38 ft. 3 in.
Weight: 82,500 lbs empty; 175,000 lbs maximum take-off
Engine: four Pratt & Whitney R-4360 radials; 3,500 horsepower each
Speed: 300 MPH cruise; 370 MPH maximum
Range: 4,300 miles
Armament: none
Crew: 6
The C-97 was based on the B-29 Super Fortress of World War II. The B-29, was known for its speed, payload, and long range capability. After the war, the B-29 was re-engined with powerful Pratt & Whitney R-4360, 28 cylinder, radial engines. This bomber was known as the B-50.
The event of World War II revealed that transportation of supplies would become as major a factor in victory as individual fighting tactics. A second fuselage was built underneath the normal fuselage to hold more freight.
Many C-97s were adapted to the tanker role. They were designated KC-97s. The KC-97 fed fuel, in flight to other aircraft. Long range was necessary in the "Cold War" era of the 1950's in order to extende the range of bombers and fighters.
This C-97G, S/N 52-898, was originally received by the Air Force as a KC-97G-23-BO.
This aircraft is on loan to Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum from the National Museum of the United States Airforce.
