The Harrier GR7 is part of a second generation vertical/short takeoff and landing (V/STOL) jet aircraft used by the Royal Air Force (RAF), and the Royal Navy. The GR7 had its maiden flight in May 1990 and made its first operational deployment in August 1995 over the former Yugoslavia. The aircraft is used for low level operations at subsonic speeds because of its forward-looking infra-red (FLIR) equipment used with the pilot's night vision goggles (NVGs), provides a night, low level capability.

The He162 was the second German jet fighter which served in WWII. It was the fastest of the first generation of Axis and Allied jets. Volksjger was the official name for the He162. Other names given to the plane include Salamander, which was the codename of its construction program. Much of this People's Fighter plane was made of wood, as metals were in very short supply at this time and typically allocated to current front line combat aircraft.

The F-86, the US Air Force first swept-wing jet fighter, made its initial flight on October 1, 1947. The F -86F 30 were the versions of the F-86 family .She featured with the "6-3" solid-wing. USAAF received the first aircraft the F -86F 30 model on 27 March 1952, and the new F -86F began serving with the 51st Fighter Interceptor Wing.

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 was originally developed in the Soviet Union as an interceptor. First flew in December 1947. It began appearing in service in 1949 and by 1952 it had been provided to a number of Communist satellite nations, including North Korea where it was used extensively against United Nations forces. The MiG-15 was deployed against American Air Forces in December of 1950 in Korea.

The U.S.A.F. Thunderbirds converted their entire fleet to F-4 Phantom IIs in 1969. The Blue Angels also switched to the Phantom that year, marking the only time in history that both demonstration squadrons flew the same aircraft. For five exciting years, the Thunderbirds performed some of the most memorable shows in the squadron's 58-year history flying Phantom IIs.

The F-14 Tomcat was retired by the U.S. Navy in September 2006, but it remains one of today's most famous fighter aircraft. That's because the F-14 has been prominently featured in a number of novels, television shows and films since its 1974 introduction. The aircraft most famously appeared in the 1986 blockbuster "Top Gun®," where it was flown by Tom Cruise's character, "Maverick." The film was an instant hit, which propelled the actor - and the aircraft - into superstardom.

The F/A-18 Hornet was chosen to be the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels' primary aircraft in 1986, which proved to be a significant year for both the squadron and the aircraft. 1986 marked the Blue Angels' 40th anniversary. In the same year, the aircraft was used for the first time in combat, during Operation Prairie Fire. This unique fighter remains in use with the Blue Angels today.

All through the Vietnam War, the U.S. Armed Forces lacked adequate close air support. Fairchild-Republic developed the A-10 Thunderbolt to remedy the situation. The A-10 can fly at altitudes under 1,000 feet (300 m) and 350 mph (560 km/h) speeds. The Thunderbolt's ability to fly "slow and low" makes it better suited for the ground-attack role, where small target detection often plays a part in a mission's success.