Bell UH-1H Huey Helicopter cockpit section

The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is one of the most successful helicopters in history, with over 16,000 built between 1955 and 1976. First flown in 1956 as the HU-1A (hence “Huey”), it was primarily used to transport troops, medical purposes, cargo transport, and aerial attacks. It was powered by a single 700 shp Lycoming T53-L-1 turbo shaft engine turning a large two bladed rotor.

The Fargo Air Museum has the cockpit section of UH-1H Huey #67-17406 on display for guests to climb inside of. This Huey flew with E Battery (Aviation), 82nd Artillery, 1st Air Cavalry Division during the Vietnam War. It flew with the callsign ‘Woodpecker 406’.

Pitts Special

The Pitts Special was a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by Curtis Pitts. Its first flight was in 1944. Even though the design of this plane has changed continuously since the original prototype, the current Pitts Special still remains very similar to the original design concept.

Standard J-1 ‘Jenny’

The Standard J-1 was designed by Charles Day, who also designed the famous Curtiss Jenny. This two seat trainer was primarily used by the U.S. Army Air Service to supplement the JN-4Jenny. The construction of this aircraft consisted of wire-braced wood with a canvas covering. It had about 100 horsepower that was driving a two blade wooden propeller. Performance topped 72 miles per hour with an endurance of three-and-a-half hours of flight time. The J-1 at the Fargo air Museum is the oldest aircraft in North Dakota, with it being 90% original.

BT-13 Valiant Trainer

The Valtee BT-13 was an American WWII-era basic trainer aircraft. It was built by Vultee Aircraft for the United States Army Air Corps and later US Army Air Forces. A later variant of the BT-13 in USAAC/USAAF service was known as the BT-15 Valiant. An identical version for the US Navy was known as the SNV, and was used by the US Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard for training. Photo credit - Craig Maas

North American Aviation T-6 Texan (Harvard)

The Texan originated from the North American NA-16 prototype. The first model went into production and 180 were supplied to the USAAC as the BC-1 and 400 to the RAF as the Harvard I. The US Navy received 16 modified aircraft designated the NSJ-1, and further 61 as the NSJ-2 with a different engine. 

It remains a popular warbird aircraft used for airshow demonstrations and static displays. 

1942 Rearwin Skyranger

Rearwin Aircraft and Engines introduced the Skyranger in 1940 as a sid-by-side, two-seat cabin monoplane. Designed by Gene Slvay and George A. Stark, the Skyranger was first flown on April 9th, 1940 and given Aircraft Type Certificate #729.

Fairchild PT-19

In 1938, most military pilots were still receiving their initial training in biplanes and designers at Farichild Aircraft recognized a need for a new trainer design; one to better approximate the more advanced types of fighter aircraft the trainees would soon be flying. The result was one of the most effective and innovative monoplane primary training planes ever designed - the Fiarchild Primary Trainer (PT). Photo credit - Craig Maas

North American B-25 Mitchell

The B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engined, medium bomber manufactured by North American Aviation. It was named after Major General William "Billy" Mitchell, widely considered the father of US military aviation.

The B-25 is a descendant of the XB-21 (North American-39) project of the mid-1930s. Experience gained in developing that aircraft was put to use in the B-25. Requiring 8,500 original drawings and 195000 engineering man-hours to produce this aircraft.

The B-25 Mitchell at the Fargo Air Museum served with the USAAF and subsequent USAF in the late 1940s and 1950s. It never saw combat, however, was converted into a Radar-Intercept trainer in the 1950s and helped train USAF interceptor crews on how to identify friendly and enemy aircraft. It was retired in 1959 and sat in a Texas field until 1981 when it was rescued and flown to Wahpeton, North Dakota. There it sat again until 2014 when it was moved to the Fargo Air Museum.

War Vehicles

The Harley-Davidson WLA was produced to US Army specifications for use in WWII. Over 60,000 were produced for war-time use. 

The Jeep legend began in November 1940, in the early days of World War II, just a year before the United States entered the war. A small, four-wheel drive prototype, the Willys "Quad", was delivered to the US Army. Willys produced over 300,000 MB vehicles. Photo credit - Craig Maas

1981 L-39 Aero Vodochody Jet Trainer

In 1964, Czechoslovakian aircraft manufacturer Aero Vodochody embarked on a project to create a new single-engine, twin-seat aircraft that would be com the primary training aircraft throughout the Warsaw Pact nations. In 1969 the first L-39 took flight and remained in production until 1996. Photo credit - Craig Maas

The Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper

The Taylorcraft L-2 Grasshopper is an American observation and liaison aircraft. It was produced by Taylorcraft for the United States Army Air Forces in World War II.

In World War II, the AAF began using the L-2 in much the same manner as the observation balloon was used in France during World War I. It served in spotting enemy troop and supply concentrations then directing artillery fire on them. It was also used for other types of liaison and transport duties.

Replica Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würger (Shrike)

The Fw 190A started flying operationally of France in August 1941. It quickly proved superior in all but turn radius to the Royal Air Force's most used fighter, the Spitfire Mk. V. 

The half-scale flyable model was donated by Dave Gierszewski & Glen Anderson. It was built over the course of 13 years and flew for the first time in 1993.