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.

General Dynamics® started development of the F-16 in the early '70s, just as tensions in Vietnam were drawing to a close. Preliminary test flights proved the F-16 could execute supersonic speeds with ease. Exceptional maneuverability, long-range performance and affordability also made the F-16 highly sought after by the U.S. Air Force and numerous NATO nations. Today, the F-16 easily ranks among the world's most-produced jet fighters, with over 4,450 models flown by 26 countries in all.

The first A6M5 Zero was build by the Mitsubishi Jukogyo in 1943. It was developed to combat heavier built & armed Allied fighters that were knocking the earlier Zero out of the sky during 1943. The Nakajima NK1F Sakae 21 engine gave the plane slightly better performance, and the armament was changed to 2- 20mm and 2- 13.2mm guns. These changes did not make up for the lack of armor, or the lack of self-sealing fuel tanks. However, despite these shortcomings, over 10,450 were built, being used during the entire war because other models of Japanese aircraft continued to have teething problems.

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.