Welcome to my Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum web page, My name is Tracy and I'll be your host today.

The Champlin Fighter Aircraft Museum is currently located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona. However, the museum will be moving to Washington State in December 2002.


 Click the images to enlarge them


Falcon Field Tower
 
 

 

Aerial view of Falcon Field (Mesa, AZ)
 

This water tank is an icon of Falcon Field
   

MiG-17

MiG-17

  This MiG-17 was presented to the American Fighter Aces Association and the Champlin Fighter Museum in January 1984 by His Majesty King Hassan II of Morocco.

  Following independence in 19955, Morocco obtained its first jet aircraft from the Soviet Union. This particular plane, 1FJ-10, was flown by Colonel Major Mohammed Kabbaj, who became Commander of the Royal Moroccan Air Force. His fighter training program was based in part upon the tactics manual "No Guts No Glory," written by Major General F. C. Blesse, an American jet ace of the Korean conflict.

  Through the efforts of Mr. Richard McConn of Washington DC, these two fighter pilots-Major General Blesse and Colonel Major Kabbaj-were able to meet. This gift from Morocco was the result of that unusual three-way friendship.

Aircraft:      MiG-17
Manufacturer:   Mikoyan and Gurevich
Type:          Fighter
Year:          Circa 1958
Engine:        VK-1 turbojet,
               5,952 lbs. thrust
Wingspan:      31'
Length:        36'3"
Height:        11'
Weight loaded: 11,773 lbs.
Maximum speed: 711 MPH at 10,000 Ft.
Ceiling:       54,460 Ft.
Range:         913 Miles
               (w/2 Drop Tanks)
Armament:      Two 23mm and
               one 37mm cannon
Crew:          1
   

MiG-21 PFM

  The MiG-21 is considered the world's most successful jet fighter, in terms of numbers produced and world-wide use. Reportedly some 25,000 were built in a production run spanning nearly three decades, and the type has been flown by at least 37 air forces--mostly aligned with the former Soviet Union.

  Designed in 1954 and first flown in 1956, the MiG-21 was immediately recognized as a threat by NATO air arms, which code named it "Fishbed". Though rated at Mach two (twice the speed of sound), the -21 was limited to about Mach 1.8 with a useful load.
 
  The claim is made that the MiG-21 has been flown in every war or conflict since the 1960s, except the 1982 Falklands War. However, despite its wide use, as a fighter-interceptor the Fishbed remains a loser in overall combat. Primarily engaged in various Arab-Israeli conflicts and the Vietnam War, it has seldom been as well flown as its opponents, resulting in a negative kill-loss ratio. However, over North Vietnam the MiG-21 was the primary aerial threat to U.S. aircrews, with 83 Fishbed shot down versus at least 46 American fighters lost to the same type.

  Most recently employed in the war with Iraq, the -21 is giving way to a new generation of Russian jets. Nevertheless, it remains an important benchmark in the history of fighter aviation.

  This MiG PFM was obtained by Doug Champlin in late 1994 when it was shipped to Arizona from the Czech Republic. The aircraft had been well maintained and was found to be in airworthy condition. As of 1995 it was one of perhaps four privately-owned MiG-21s in the United State.
Manufacturer:      Mikoyan-Gurevich
Designation:       MiG-21PFM
Formal name:       Fishbed (NATO code name)
Service type:      Single-seat
                   fighter-interceptor
Country of origin: Soviet Union
                   via Czechoslovakia
Length:            48' 7"
Wing span:         23' 5"
Height:            12'
Empty weight:      11,396 lbs
Gross weight:      20,438 lbs
Max. speed:        1,364 MPH
Max. range:        683 miles
Service ceiling:   59,050 ft
Armament:          Two heat-seeking
                   missiles
Engine:            Turbojet
Power rating:      13,640 obs thrust

   

F-4N "PHANTOM"
 First flown on May 27, 1958, the "Phantom" was clearly the dominant fighter in the world for the first 20 years of it's existence. It is considered by many to be the best fighter/bomber ever built and it has been one of the American aeronautical industries greatest successes. The phantoms unequaled versatility in the role of fighter, bomber, interceptor, reconnaissance and even research have taken it to all parts of the globe. F-4's of one type or another have flown in virtually every major air force in the non-communist world.
 
 The museum's Phantom, bureau number 153017 came from the Navy via the San Diego Aerospace Museum. It was disassembled and trucked here in November 1988 and re-assembled by a crew of volunteers from NAS San Diego. This particular F-4 was manufactured as a "B" model and later upgraded to a "N". It is a true combat veteran with several hundred combat missions in Vietnam. It was assigned to VF-21 U.S.S. Ranger and VF-74 U.S.S. Forestall. The crew names on the canopy sills reflect four navy fliers who were killed in Vietnam. The names of Lt. Larry Lewis and Lt. (JG) Terry Miller on the port side, and Lt. Jim Duensing and Lt. (JG) Ray Haviland on the starboard.

 

 
Aircraft:     F-4N "PHANTOM"
Type:         Fighter/Bomber
Manufacturer: McDonnell-Douglas
Year:         1966
Engine:       2 General Electric J-79S
Thrust:       38,000 lbs
Speed:        1,584 MPH (Mach 2)
Ceiling:      70,000 ft.
Armament:     A wide variety of
              weapons including
              missiles, bombs,
              cannon
   

F-86F SABRE
 

Aircraft:     F-86F Sabre
Manufacturer: North American Aviation
Type:         Fighter
Year:         1953
Engine:       GE J47-GE-27
Thrust:       5,910 lbs
Wingspan:     39' 1"
Length:       37' 6"
Height:       14' 9"
Weight:       10,815 lbs
Max speed:    688 MPH
Ceiling:      48,000 ft
Armament:     Six .50 caliber machine guns
Crew:         One
  This F-86F, serial number 51-13371, was built at North American's plan in Columbus, Ohio and delivered in August 1953, less than one week after the Korean war ended. It served with two fighter-bomber groups in Europe and returned to the US in 1956 for modification. In 1958 the Sabre was turned over to the Military Assistance Program and went to South Korea.

  Eventually retired from the Republic of Korea Air Force, this aircraft was selected for display in the US in 1984. Retired Major General F.C. "Boots" Blesse, a double ace in Korea, helped obtain the F-86 through the Air Force Heritage Program for display by the American Fighter Aces Association.

  Through the efforts of the Oregon and Minnesota Air National Guard, this Sabre was airlifted to Arizona in August 1984. It is on long-term loan from the Air Force, displaying the markings of General Blesse's Sabre when he flew with the Fourth Fighter Wing during 1952.
    

MiG-15 "FAGOT"

 
 
Crew:       1
Wing span:  33' 1"
Length:     36' 4"
Height:     11' 1"
Speed:      660 MPH
Ceiling:    51,000 ft
Range:      560 miles
Weights:     8,320 lbs empty
            14,230 lbs loaded
Armament:   1 37mm cannon
            2 23mm cannon
            2 550 lb bombs
            2 1,10 lb bombs
   

Jimmie "Doc" Savage - Fighter Ace



Flight log books of Captain Jimmie E. Savage

   Jimmie "Doc" Savage graduated from Dorchester High School Dorchester, Texas in 1937 where he was a leader in all sports. He received his B.S. degree from North Texas State University in January 1941 and immediately entered the Naval Aviation Cadet Program. He received his Navy Wings on October 1941. After flight instructor duty Savage joined VF-11 (Sundowners) at the Naval Air Station Alameda, Calif. VF-11 entered combat flying F6F's from the USS Hornet (CV12), 10 October 1944.

  Aerial Combat: While strafing on Heito Field, Formosa a Japanese fighter (Tojo) engaged Lt. Savage while he was in a strafing run. A hard left turn into the attack brought Savage almost in a head on firing position. A short burst turned the e/a left and down. Savage turned right and dove with the Tojo to near ground level. The enemy leveled off and Savage hit him with his six fifties. The Tojo caught fire and rolled to the left and split "sed" into the ground. Color gun camera film of the action was excellent. On the very next day 14 October 1944 Lt. Savage and Lt. Charlie Stimpson's divisions teamed up to intercept and turn back a flight of some 30 enemy bombers and fighters approaching out carrier Task Force. Lt. Stimpson was credited with five and Savage three. Overall score fifteen to three. VF-11 continued it's combat tour in the USS Hornet engaging the enemy at Leyte Gulf, Manila Bay, Clark Field, Indo-China, China Coast, Hong Kong and units of enemy fleet. Savage returned to the States with VF-11 in February 1945 after being credited with seven aerial victories, three probables and fourteen aircraft destroyed on the ground and bomb and rocket hits on units of the enemy fleet.

  Lt. Savage was commissioned in the Regular Navy after World War Two and served for 31 years. Career highlights are as follows: exchange duty with the US Air Force in 1949-50; ordinance test pilot at Inyokern; Commanding officer VF-121 (Pacemakers) in USS Boxer 1953-54; Air Officer USS Hornet; Naval War College; Staff CNO; Director Navy Recruiting Southwest and Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Dallas, Texas. Captain Savage retired from the Navy in 1972 and now owns and operated the Lazy S Farms, Dorchestor, Texas. Captain Savage served as President of the American Fighter Aces Association in 1066 and is a National Director.