Top Flights
Located in the birthplace of America’s space program, Hampton’s Virginia Air & Space Center spans 100 years of aviation history. Here are some high-flying highlights to check out.
N25-3 Stearman Trainer
N25-3 Stearman Trainer
FIRST FLIGHT: 1934
Thousands of WWII pilots received flight instruction in these beauties, ideal for teaching basic maneuvers, aerobatics and takeoffs.
TOP SPEED: 124 mph
WINGSPAN: 32 feet, 2 inches
F-18 HARV (High Alpha Research Vehicle)
FIRST FLIGHT: 1962
Faster than the Mach 2, this tandem- seat fighter-bomber set 15 world records, including absolute speed and absolute altitude, and was used during the Vietnam War.
TOP SPEED: 1,472 mph
WINGSPAN: 38 feet, 4.5 inches
F-4E Phantom II
FIRST FLIGHT: 1980
A former NASA research aircraft, this stunner helped improve the safety and maneuverability of US fighter jets in combat situations, especially those with high angles of attack.
TOP SPEED (FOR NON-RESEARCH F/A-18): 1,190 mph
WINGSPAN: 37 feet, 5 inches
DC-9 Passenger Jet
FIRST FLIGHT: 1965
Part of AirTran Airways' fleet until 2004, the DC-9 was designed for the short- to medium-range routes on which the airline was built, reaching underserved cities that relied on propeller-driven airlines.
TOP SPEED: 575 mph
WINGSPAN: 93 feet, 5 inches
Virginia Air & Space Center
600 Settlers Landing Rd, Hampton; 757-727-0900; www.vasc.org
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