NATO Cold War Aircraft (1949 - 1989)

NATO stood as Europe's first line of defense against the Soviet Union following the close of World War 2.

There are a total of 47 NATO Cold War Aircraft (1949 - 1989) in the Military Factory. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator.

Thumbnail picture of the Airbus Helicopters (Aerospatiale) SA 330 Puma

Airbus Helicopters (Aerospatiale) SA 330 Puma
The SA 330 Puma helicopter has gone into operational service with no fewer than 40 military forces worldwide.

Thumbnail picture of the Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter / MBB) Bo 105

Airbus Helicopters (Eurocopter / MBB) Bo 105
The Airbus Helicopters Bo 105 light utility helicopter has seen military and civilian service across the world with production totals reaching over 1,500 units.

Thumbnail picture of the Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck

Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck
The oft-overlooked Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck played an important role in the Cold War defense of North America.

Thumbnail picture of the Avro Vulcan

Avro Vulcan
The Avro Vulcan was an impressive design feat as 1950s bombers went - though the aircraft itself saw only limited combat action for its time aloft.

Thumbnail picture of the Beechcraft C-12 Huron

Beechcraft C-12 Huron
The Beechcraft C-12 Huron is based on the Super King and 1900 series platforms and serves with the United States military as a utility transport.

Thumbnail picture of the Bell OH-58 Kiowa

Bell OH-58 Kiowa
The Bell OH-58 Kiowa light helicopter series has seen a successful operational tenure beginning in the late 1960s.

Thumbnail picture of the Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle

Boeing (McDonnell Douglas) F-15 Eagle
With service entry in the mid-1970s, the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle went on to become a classic American fighter aircraft sporting an excellent combat record.

Thumbnail picture of the Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS)

Boeing E-3 Sentry (AWACS)
A critical player for the United States, NATO and a few Western allies, the Boeing E-3 Sentry continues service in the vital AWACs role.

Thumbnail picture of the Canadair CF-104 Starfighter

Canadair CF-104 Starfighter
Following the introduction of the American Lockheed F-104 Starfighter came the Canadian equivalent as the CF-104.

Thumbnail picture of the Canadair CL-13 Sabre

Canadair CL-13 Sabre
The Canadiar Sabre line of swept-wing, jet-powered fighters were Canadian variants of the storied North American F-86 Sabre series.

Thumbnail picture of the CONVAIR F-102 Delta Dagger

CONVAIR F-102 Delta Dagger
The CONVAIR F-102 Delta Dagger was an interim delta-wing interceptor design fielded by the USAF until the arrival of the more capable CONVAIR F-106 Delta Dart series.

Thumbnail picture of the Dassault Mirage 5

Dassault Mirage 5
The Dassault Mirage 5 fighter-bomber did not encounter the excellent global acceptance that the preceding Mirage III series did.

Thumbnail picture of the Dassault Mirage III

Dassault Mirage III
The Dassault Mirage III interceptor-strike fighter series proved a commercial success for the French company with combat advertising courtesy of Israel during the 1967 Six Day War.

Thumbnail picture of the de Havilland DH.100 Vampire

de Havilland DH.100 Vampire
The Vampire series of aircraft was the second jet-powered aircraft produced by Britain after World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the de Havilland DH.112 Venom

de Havilland DH.112 Venom
The de Havilland DH.112 Venom served across dozens of RAF squadrons as well as in several foreign air powers.

Thumbnail picture of the Douglas B-66 / RB-66 Destroyer

Douglas B-66 / RB-66 Destroyer
The Douglas B-66 / RB-66 Destroyer series was used in a variety of ways during its service tenure by the United States Air Force.

Thumbnail picture of the Douglas C-124 Globemaster II

Douglas C-124 Globemaster II
The Globemaster II was a direct post-war design development of the World War 2-era C-74 Globemaster I.

Thumbnail picture of the English Electric / BAC Lightning

English Electric / BAC Lightning
The English Electric Lightning remains the only Mach 2-capable jet-powered fighter to emerge solely from Britain.

Thumbnail picture of the English Electric Canberra

English Electric Canberra
The record-setting English Electra Canberra progressed much as a medium-to-high altitude bomber - so much so that the U.S. ordered it as the B-57.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)

Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog)
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II features the awesome tank-killing 30mm GAU-8 Gatling Gun in its nose as standard.

Thumbnail picture of the Fiat Aeritalia G.91 (Gina)

Fiat Aeritalia G.91 (Gina)
Nearly 800 Fiat Aeritalia G.91 swept-wing jet-powered fighters were produced with Italy and West Germany becoming major operators of the type.

Thumbnail picture of the General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111 Raven

General Dynamics / Grumman EF-111 Raven
The Grumman EF-111 Raven was a direct EWA conversion of the F-111A Aardvark fighter-bomber strike platform.

Thumbnail picture of the General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark

General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark swing-wing bomber was retired in 1996 from active service with the United States Air Force followed shortly by its counterpart - the EF-111 Raven.

Thumbnail picture of the Gloster (Armstrong Whitworth) Meteor

Gloster (Armstrong Whitworth) Meteor
The Gloster Meteor became the first operational British jet-powered fighter on July 27th, 1944 - this during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Gloster Javelin

Gloster Javelin
The Gloster Javelin was the very last aircraft to be produced by the renowned Gloster company.

Thumbnail picture of the Hawker Hunter

Hawker Hunter
The Hawker Hunter was the longest-serving British jet fighter and found many foreign operators abroad.

Thumbnail picture of the Hawker Siddeley Harrier / AV-8A

Hawker Siddeley Harrier / AV-8A
The Hawker Siddeley Harrier was the first generation Harrier jump jet to see service and saw combat action in the Falklands War of 1982.

Thumbnail picture of the Leonardo / AgustaWestland Lynx / Super Lynx

Leonardo / AgustaWestland Lynx / Super Lynx
Main versions of the Westland Lynx helicopter covered army and navy service roles that proved the type's adaptability to varying mission requirements.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter

Lockheed C-141 Starlifter
The Lockheed C-141 Starlifter strategic transport proved itself a Cold War-era workhorse for the US military.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy

Lockheed C-5 Galaxy
The massive Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the largest aircraft in service with the United States Air Force today - fulfilling the role of strategic heavy lifter in service.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter

Lockheed F-104 Starfighter
The Lockheed F-104 Starfighter served a greater role with air forces abroad than it did with the USAF, though its operational service was not without issues.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon

Lockheed Martin (General Dynamics) F-16 Fighting Falcon
The multirole-minded Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon has proven a favorite in the export market with over 20 operators committed to the type.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed MC-130 Combat Talon (I / II)

Lockheed MC-130 Combat Talon (I / II)
In service since the Vietnam War, the Combat Talon series of aircraft has served in a multitude of mission types and is still in operational service today.

Thumbnail picture of the McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet

McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
The Royal Canadian Air Force makes use of over 100 American FA-18 Hornet fighters as the CF-18 Hornet.

Thumbnail picture of the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II is regarded as one of the most successful fighter designs of all time.

Thumbnail picture of the McDonnell F-101 Voodoo

McDonnell F-101 Voodoo
The McDonnell F-101 Voodoo achieved several endurance and speed records during her time aloft, earning the nickname of One-Oh-Wonder in the process.

Thumbnail picture of the North American F-100 Super Sabre

North American F-100 Super Sabre
Though not without issues early on, the North American F-100 Super Sabre jet evolved into one of the finest American fighter aircraft.

Thumbnail picture of the North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco

North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco
The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco provided a useful light strike and observation capability for various forces throughout the Cold War years.

Thumbnail picture of the Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger / Tiger II

Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter / Tiger / Tiger II
The Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter grew into the F-5 Tiger II, which sprouted the ill-fated F-20 Tigershark.

Thumbnail picture of the Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defense Variant)

Panavia Tornado ADV (Air Defense Variant)
The Panavia Tornado ADV is the dedicated Air Interceptor Variant of the successful Tornado fighter-bomber series.

Thumbnail picture of the Panavia Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat / Reconnaissance)

Panavia Tornado ECR (Electronic Combat / Reconnaissance)
The Panavia Tornado ECR forms the second of three major Tornado aircraft variants.

Thumbnail picture of the Panavia Tornado IDS (InterDictor / Strike)

Panavia Tornado IDS (InterDictor / Strike)
The Panavia Tornado became a limited production, specialized strike variant of the famous Panavia Tornado line.

Thumbnail picture of the Republic F-105 Thunderchief

Republic F-105 Thunderchief
The large Republic F-105 Thunderchief was the most technologically advanced aircraft of its type when introduced in the late-1950s.

Thumbnail picture of the Republic F-84 Thunderjet / Thunderstreak

Republic F-84 Thunderjet / Thunderstreak
The Republic F-84 jet-powered fighter suffered through many issues in its early service life - but proved a major player in the Korean War.

Thumbnail picture of the SEPECAT Jaguar

SEPECAT Jaguar
The SEPECAT Jaguar was a joint French/British strike fighter endeavor that saw action in several notable conflicts of the 1990s.

Thumbnail picture of the Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion

Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion
The Sikorsky CH-53 Sea Stallion was introduced to American forces in 1966 and still sees active service today in slightly varied forms.

Thumbnail picture of the Vickers Valiant

Vickers Valiant
The Vickers Valiant was the beginning of the V-Bomber trio of strategic bombers for the Royal Air Force.