The Vehicles and Equipment

A-1J Skyraider
The A-1 Skyraider is primarily used as a reconnaissance plane by the Asran regular ground forces. Its most prominent appearance is In Chapter 079 (v06c02), Sand and Trust. When a sandstorm turns visibility to 0%, Greg must guide McKinley in his A-1J in for a harrowing landing at the Area 88 Mountain base by using alarm bells. An A-1 also briefly appeared briefly in Chapter 065 (v05c05), Devil on the Ridge Line, informing the Old Man McCoy that the C-130 transport planes had been shot down, as well as during a flashback scene in Chapter 006 (v01c06), Blue Mirage as Mickey recollects a ‘friendly fire’ incident involving an F-14A Tomcat during the Vietnam War.

A-4E Skyhawk
As an inexpensive attack aircraft with excellent reliability and easy maintenance, the A-4 Skyhawk is one of the most often seen aircraft in the series.  A favourite of many of the Area 88 pilots, including Greg, the sightings are too numerous to list.  However, A-4Es were featured prominently in Chapter 039 (v03c10), Of Ants and a Monster, as Greg and Campbell attack the Desert Carrier.  They were also used by Shin and Kim as the primary training aircraft at the base in Greece in Chapter 056 (v04C11), A New Set of Molars.  Given that Old Man McCoy likely gathered A-4s from all over the world, there are several variants in play.

RA-5C Vigilante
The recon RA-5C Vigilante makes only one brief appearance in Chapter 156 (v10c03) Border Zone as it gets shot down while scouting the ground forces during Project 4’s invasion of Tundria.

A-6E Intruder
Several A-6E Intruders make a brief appearance in Chapter 137 (v09c05) Failed Strike?!, as they are deployed from Aircraft Carrier 88 to take part in the Second Attack wave during the Brasia invasion.

A-7E Corsair II
An A-7E Corsair II makes an appearance, albeit a brief one, during the final assault on the Desert Aircraft Carrier in Chapter 052 (v04c07) Dunes of Steel. After taking a hit, Roxy pilots his doomed A-7 into a kamikaze strike on the carrier. A-7 Corsairs can also be spotted during the final assault on the Asran capital city as well as on deck of Aircraft Carrier 88.

A-10A Thunderbolt II
The signature plane of Greg Gates, the A-10A Thunderbolt II makes its first appearance in Chapter 055 (v04c10) Golden Warriors. At the time, the A-10 was the latest and greatest in ground-attack aircraft.  So, after being frustrated by the armour plating of the Desert Carrier, Greg asked Old Man McCoy to procure an A-10.  Despite the seemingly impossible task, McCoy was able to reroute a NATO shipment. In Chapter 062 (v05c02) Memoirs of a Tiger PART1 Ken also flies an A-10 alongside Greg.

Note: Greg’s A-10 has a (fictional) 40mm Vulcan instead of a 30mm canon.

F-4E Phantom II
One of the most widely adopted fighter aircraft across the Western Hemisphere, the F-4 is seen throughout the series – mostly type “E” (equipped with a Gatling gun in the nose), but some type “D” can also found.  One of the more prominent appearances of the F-4E Phantom II is when “Phoenix” Charlie returns to Area 88 (flying solo in the two-seater) in Chapter 022 (v02c08) Clinging to Life. It was also flown by Shin and Warren in Chapter 047 (v04c02) 88 Desperate Situations, as part of the operation to “break the Big Leg” and stop the Grand Slam. It was also flown by Sera and Kim in Chapter 124 (v08c09) Supersonic Goddess, during their attempt to gather together the remnants of the Brasian air force.

F-5A Freedom Fighter
Another best-seller, especially to air forces in developing countries, the F-5A is seen throughout the manga series.  Although it doesn’t have a primary pilot associated with it, it is flown by many of the nameless mercenaries at Area 88.  Its most prominent appearance is arguably in Chapter 054 (v04c09) The Gods and the Men of Twilight, when it’s flown by Shin during a training session in Greece and engine trouble forces him to make an emergency landing in an olive grove.

F-5E Tiger II
An early icon of the series, the F-5E Tiger II was Shin Kazama’s second signature aircraft, and the first to bear his personal flaming unicorn mark (in the manga the F-8E was unbranded). It first appears in Chapter 005 (v01c05) The Crossing Point of Solitude, as Shin has a close encounter with a Yamato Airlines B-747-100 flown by Satoru Kanzaki.  It was destroyed in a crash landing in Chapter 010 (v01c10) Longing at Dawn, after its battle-damage landing gear fails.  Later, in Chapter 081 (v06c04) The Queen of the Sand, Shin flies another F-5E (on loan from McCoy while his F-20 is in the shop), but is shot down by Sera, making her first appearance in her MiG-21. The F-5E Tiger II also makes a memorable appearance in Chapter 124 (v08c09) Supersonic Goddess, flown in formation by the remnants of the Brasian air force.

F-8E Crusader
Right from the second page of Chapter 001 (v01c01) The Blue Skies of Betrayal, the F-8E Crusader makes an impactful first appearance as one of Shin Kazama’s most iconic fighter jets.  However it is probably most well known for its appearance in Chapter 002 (v01c02) A Man Named Boris, as both Shin and Boris use the F-8E’s ability to fly with its wings folded to make their way through the “Fang” air defence screen. Iconic though it may be, the F-8E Crusader only lasted 3 chapters, making its final appearance in Chapter 003 (v01c03) The Endless Desert when Shin gets shot down by a MiG-17.

Note: in the manga series, Shin’s F-8E is unmarked.  The flaming unicorn brand is only found in the animated version.

F-11 Tiger
Although not deployed in the Asran theatre of operations, the F-11 Tiger does make an appearance in Chapter 078 (v06c01) Heaven and Earth during a flashback scene of Gary MacBurn’s time as a member of The Blue Angels  – the American Navy’s flight aerobatic demonstration team.

F-14A Tomcat
Mickey’s iconic F-14A Tomcat, with his signature Playboy Bunny mark is probably the second-most iconic plane (after Shin’s F-20 Tigershark) in the entire series.  First introduced in Chapter 025 (v02c11) The New Wings, the then cutting edge fighter jet was improbably procured by Old Man McCoy for Mickey by using a serial number mix-up with a few F-14As sold to Iran before the fall of the Shah.  Mickey’s original F-14A – with the rear seat removed – appears until Chapter 033 (v03c04) Saki, Again when he’s shot down by the Desert Carrier while investigating Shin’s disappearance.  McCoy replaces it in Chapter 064 (v05c04) Betrayal of the Funeral March, after Area 88 relocates to the mountain base, and it appears until the end of the series.The F-14A also appears during a flashback scene in Chapter 006 (v01c06), Blue Mirage as Mickey recollects a ‘friendly fire’ incident involving an A-1 Skyraider during the Vietnam War.

F-15A Eagle
Three F-15A Eagles make their only appearance in Chapter 004 (v01c04) The Old Soldier’s Fire as a trio of jets procured for use by the Royal Asran Air Force. As Area 88 is a mercenary forces base, that supposedly means only for Saki. However, when the base comes under attack from an Anti-Government Forces nuclear missile, Shin is commanded to takeoff in the high-tech fighter and destroy it – ironically only after Maurice was able to clear the runway during a locust swarm using his ancient T-6 Texan. The F-15s were assumed to have been destroyed during the Wolf Pack surprise attack on the Area 88 desert base a short time later.

F-18A Hornet
As an example of the latest (at the time) fighter jet technology employed by the West, the F-18A appears notably twice in the manga series.  The first appearance, in Chapter 031 (v03c02) The Passage to Hell, is as a fictional role of the remote-controlled drone planes deployed by the Desert aircraft carrier.  Shin and Mickey escape captivity in the carrier by stealing a pair of Hornets and fly them briefly until they are destroyed in Old Man McCoy’s workshop when a technician (unknowingly) tampers with the self-destruct mechanism.  The F-18 also re-appears at the end of the series as a special fighter plane personally reserved for Satoru Kanzaki.  In the last Chapter 172 (v10c19) Battlefield of Sand it is destroyed by Shin and his F-20 Tigershark in the final battle.

F-20 Tigershark (F-5G)
As Shin’s personal plane, the F-20 Tigershark with the flaming unicorn mark on the tail is probably the most iconic plane in the entire series.  Part of the allure is also probably the rarity of the plane – literally no one else has one.  With only 3 planes built (two of which were destroyed in crashes), it is highly improbable that anyone other than Old Man McCoy would have been able to get their hands on a battle-ready prototype.  Shin receives his F-20 Tigershark in Chapter 056 (v04C11) A New Set of Molars, shortly before Area 88’s relocation to the mountain base.  It survives right up to the end of the series when it is nearly destroyed in battle in the skies over the Asran capital city against Satoru Kanzaki in his F-18 Hornet.

F-100D Super Sabre
Fittingly, the American Air Force’s world famous first supersonic fighter jet would also be Mickey’s first jet after arriving at Area 88.   It makes its first appearance in Chapter 001 (v01c01) The Blue Skies of Betrayal, alongside Shin’s F-8E Crusader. However, it’s most notable appearance is in Chapter 051 (v04c06) Battle Line 88 when Mickey uses rocket boosters to take off after the base runway was damaged by the first Desert Carrier attack on the base and the explosion of the Grand Slam subterranean missile.

RF-101C Voodoo
Seen only a handful of times in the series, the RF-101C Voodoo appears briefly on the runway of the Greek training base.  However, its main, almost equally brief, appearance is in Chapter 145 (v09c13) Confessions of a Storm, when it’s used by Saki and Warren to inspect the runway after the return to the original Area 88 desert base.

F-104G Starfighter
The F-104G Starfighter first appears in Chapter 098 (v07c04) In the Freedom of Hell after Sera “borrows” it  from the West German Air Force and uses it to return to the Area 88 Mountain base after her trip to Paris.  From then on, it appears as Sera’s signature aircraft, complete with her personal mark, the green heart.

F-105 Thunderchief
Decked out with Nguyen Van Chom’s flying tiger mark under the cockpit, and the tiger stripe paint on the wings, the F-105 is one of the more easily recognisable planes in the series. It first appeared in Chapter 068 (v05c08) The Man-Eating Tiger and served as Nguyen’s signature aircraft until it was later destroyed by the anti-aircraft mines in Chapter 078 (v06c01) Heaven and Earth. Even though it was not used by the South Vietnamese Air Force, the F-105 was in active service by the American forces during the Vietnam War.  So exactly how Nguyen came to fly this aircraft is unclear.

F-111 Aardvark
Despite being briefly seen in Chapter 052 (v04c07) Dunes of Steel on the runway at the Area 88 desert base just before the final assault on the Desert  carrier, the F-111’s most noticeable appearance was in Chapter 075 (v05c15) The Grim Reaper’s Fugue as the reconnaissance plane that was shot down during the early stages of the Project 4 invasion of Asran.

T-6 Texan
The T-6 Texan’s signature appearance came in Chapter 004 (v01c04) The Old Soldier’s Fire as Maurice’s ancient propeller aircraft – mocked by Mickey as a “mother” of the newer jets – which ends up ironically saving the day when the base comes under attack from a nuclear missile during a locust swarm. The propeller plane’s smaller air intake allows it to take off and clear the runway while all the jets are grounded.  Unfortunately, it is destroyed in the attempt and only appears once.

T-38 Talon
This best-selling supersonic training aircraft appears several times in the manga series as a convenient two-seater transport.  It’s first appearance is in Chapter 008 (v01c08) The Vulture’s Afternoon, when Shin takes Goh “Rocky” Mutsuki, the NP reporter, for a flight to snap some pictures.  In Chapter 049 (v04c04) When the Devil Greets the Dawn, It is also used by Shin and Saki to reach the capital under the threat of the Grand Slam.  The T-38 also appears in Chapter 088 (v06c11) Air Force as Sera escapes from the Area 88 mountain base after the fall of the Asran Government, and in Chapter 094 (v06c17) Reminiscence, when Shin flies King Zak safely into exile in France.

OV-10A Bronco
In Chapter 050 (v04c05) The Winds of the Mediterranean, a special aircraft for counter-insurgency (COIN) combat – great for attacking ground troops and light vehicles, terrible for facing off against carrier-based fighters – finds its way into the hands of a drunken Greg during the land-based carried attack on the Area 88 desert base.  It is destroyed almost immediately in an attack by a passing F-18, which Greg somehow miraculously survives.

X-29
Following in the footsteps of the prototype F-20 Tigershark, late in the manga series, Shin receives an even more improbable ride, the X-29 experimental plane and uses it to triumphantly return to Area 88.   Despite only two being made, Shin somehow gets his hands on a combat-ready version of the X-29.  Improbable or not, it’s hard to argue that the forward sweeping wings and sleek fuselage design, coupled with Shin’s flaming unicorn mark, doesn’t make for one kick-ass-looking bird.

MiG-17PFU “Fresco”
Appearing from the very first chapter, 001 (v01c01) The Blue Skies of Betrayal, the MiG-17PFU (distinguished by its K-5 air-to-air missiles) was the main anti-government forces enemy aircraft in the early part of the story.  Despite usually being depicted as more or less unremarkable canon fodder, The MiG-17’s biggest claim to fame in the manga series is as the fighter that shot down Shin Kazama’s F-8E Crusader in Chapter 003 (v01c03) The Endless Desert.

MiG – 21PFM “Fishbed”
As the best-selling fighter of the Eastern block, it’s no wonder the MiG-21 is the main fighter of the Anti-Government Forces. The first appearance of a MiG-21 is in Chapter 010 (v01c10) Longing at Dawn, in the dogfight that damages Shin’s F-5E Tiger II and causes it to crash upon landing.  However the MiG-21 really becomes becomes the most prominent enemy aircraft after Gary MacBurn and Project 4 arrive in Asran in Chapter 075 (v05c15) The Grim Reaper’s Fugue.  From the shape of the windscreen, they mostly appear to be the PFM type.

MiG-23BN “Flogger”
The successor of the MiG-21, the MiG-23BN is the ground attack version of the MiG-23B, and was largely an export model for the Soviet Union as it was considered in interim model.  Since it couldn’t match the MiG-21 in terms of mobility, it seems it was not widely adopted by the Anti-Government Forces as its appearances are few.  MiG-23BNs notably appear in Chapter 061 (v05c01) 88 Souls, as the intercept aircraft deployed from the crevasse airbase during the “Flamenco” trench run led by Roundel in his Buccaneer.  They also make up the bulk of the Asran Air Force (Project 4) that launches the final attack on the Area 88 Mountain base in Chapter 099 (v07c05) Southern Flight Plan.

MiG-27D “Flogger”
Developed from the MiG-23BN, the main difference between the two types is the smaller variable air intake and gatling guns.  The MiG-27D first appears as the signature aircraft of the “Wolf Pack”, a rival group of mercenaries led by Col. Kilvic (a.k.a. “Papa Wolf”), fighting on the side of the Anti-Government Forces in Chapter 011 (v01c11) Mercenaries vs. Mercenaries.

Yak-38 “Forger”
The Soviet Union’s answer to the question of fighters with VTOL capabilities. Despite being inferior in almost every way to the West’s Harrier fighter, at the time it appears in the manga series, it was largely unknown and thought to be a high performance supersonic fighter. As such, the Yak-38 first appears in Chapter 065 (v05c05) Devil on the Ridge Line as a sneak attack fighter that cripples the Area 88 mountain base’s supply lines by appearing out of nowhere and destroying the transport aircraft convoys that the base relies upon for parts and supplies. By using advanced “cat whisker” sensor technology, the Yak-38 force is able to hide it’s landing area by descending some distance from it and travelling under the cover of the forest canopy. The plan works well, until Kim’s Harrier is also equipped with the same technology and uncovers the “Skylarks’ nest.”

KFIR
A mainstay of the series, the Kfir is likely to the most widely used aircraft in the series.  First appearing in Chapter 011 (v01c11) Mercenaries vs. Mercenaries, Asran receives an emergency shipment of ten Kfirs from ally Israel after most of the combat jets at Area 88 are destroyed during the surprise attack by the Wolf Pack mercenary group.  Although the most notable of all the Kfirs is Saki’s personal fighter jet, complete with the Asran royal sigil on the tail fin, there are several other key characters that regularly use Kfirs, including Warren, Ken and Hoover.

AV-8A Harrier
The first appearance of the Harrier in the series was as part of the land-based desert carrier’s fleet of remote-controlled drone planes.  However it is best known as Kim Abba’s signature jet fighter, complete with his personal snake-wrapped sword and olive branch mark, which first appeared in Chapter 064 (v05c05) Devil on the Ridge Line. Old Man McCoy seems to have “procured” Kim’s original AV-8A via British Royal Navy, however Kim escapes the mountain base in Shin’s F-20 Tigershark and apparently leaves is behind. McCoy gets a new one for Kim – via the U.S. Marine Corps., sometime after the Aircraft Carrier 88 appears.

J35 Draken
Another of Shin’s signature aircraft in the series, the J35 Draken first appeared in Chapter 025 (v02c11) The New Wings, as the eventual replacement for the F-5E Tiger II (after a period of time flying a Kfir on loan from the Asran government). As impressive a fighter as Mickey’s F-14A (which arrives at the same time), Shin faces off against “Phoenix” Charlie and his F-4E in the Draken.  It was finally shot down in Chapter 032 (v03c03) Home is Far Away, by an anti-aircraft missile launched from the Desert Aircraft Carrier just before its attack on the Area 88 desert base.

Blackburn Buccaneer
Major Roundel’s main jet fighter, the Blackburn Buccaneer makes it’s first appearance in Chapter 059 (v04c14) 100 Miles of Hell, during the canyon run – where he makes good use of it’s low speed, low altitude, high maneuverability. Originally a carrier-based aircraft for the Royal Navy, this comes in handy late in the series when the base relocates to the Aircraft Carrier 88.

BAC Lightning
These British-made fighters – which were already considered out of date at the time of the series – had their signature appearance in Chapter 010 (v01c10) Longing at Dawn, as the trio of jets flown by the three African pilots, the “Escape Killers” responsible for hunting down deserters. However, sharp-eyed readers will also notice a brief appearance of a BAC Lightning, flown by Emerson, in Chapter 008 (v01c08) The Vultures’ Afternoon, during the “gold rush” sparked by Randy.

SEPECAT Jaguar
An attack plane jointly developed in England and France, it is used by the French Air Force used for training.  Although it didn’t see combat in the Asran theatre, after being discharged in Paris, Shin is invited to fly one in Chapter 097 (v07c03) The Whisper of a Lonely Sky, by Lt. Colonel Laurent Bosch during a training run of the Patrouille de France, the aerobatics demonstration team of the French Air Force.

Mirage 2000
Albeit an extremely brief appearance, Mirage 2000 fighters can been seen briefly flying overhead at the air base in Paris in Chapter 095 (v07c01) Secret Paris, just after Shin hands over custody of King Zak as he goes into exile.

G.91
The Tundrian Air Force’s main fighter plane, the G.91 only appears in Chapter 156 (v10c03) Border Zone, during a patrol flight, not in actual battle.  It is also mentioned (though it does not appear) in Chapter 014 (v01c14) The Requirements of Wolves, as the Jet Mario Bandini flew during his time with the Italian demonstration team, Fletche Tricolori.

A6M2b Zero
Although not part of the series main storyline, the iconic Japanese Zero appears during a flashback scene-within-a-scene in Chapter 022 (v02c08) Clinging to Life.  As Ryoko thinks back to their first meeting, she recalls the pleasant afternoon flight in her father’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk, with Shin having been pressed into service as a co-pilot. During the flight, the pair are enthralled by her father’s recount of his time as a Kamikaze pilot in the Imperial Japanese Army during WWII.

A300
The wide-bodied Aribus appears in Chapter 093 (v06c16) The Coffin of Flames, under the fictional TEP livery, as Abdel Vashtar makes his triumphant return to the Asran capital after Project 4’s  successful invasion.

B-707
The B-707 only appears briefly in Lufthansa livery, in the background of one panel in Chapter 016 (v02c02) The Explosive Sky. It is featured moments before Saki and Ryoko’s first meeting at the airport in Paris.

B-747
The iconic “Jumbo Jet” B-747 appears several times throughout the series, under several different carriers, including Japan Airlines and Alitalia.  However, arguably the most memorable scene is in It first appears in Chapter 005 (v01c05) The Crossing Point of Solitude, when the Yamato Airlines passenger jet, piloted by Kanzaki, narrowly avoids a mid-air collision with Shin’s brand new F-5E Tiger II.

DC-8
Although only appearing in one small panel in Chapter 073 (v05c13) The Plot’s Fuse., the DC-8 shape/engine configuration is unmistakable as the plane that Rishal flies from Switzerland to Sweden on for the reunion with his father, Abdel.

DC-10
Like the B-747, the DC-10-30 appears several times throughout the series, under several carriers, including Seven Airlines and Alitalia. However, it’s most prominent appearance is in Chapter 016 (v02c02) The Explosive Sky, as the MacGregor Airlines flight that Saki and Ryoko are on which is threatened by under-wing bombs that require some fancy upside down flying/shooting my Shin and Mickey in a pair of Kfirs.

Tristar L-1011
The commercial passenger jet, Tristar L-1011 appears several times throughout the series. However, it’s most prominent appearance is in the final Chapter 172 (v10c19) Battlefield of Sand as the United Airlines flight that Ryoko catches as she returns to Asran just in time to witness the final aerial battle between Shin and Kanzaki.

Maxwell MB-14
The fictional commercial mid-sized twin-engine passenger jet, manufactured by Maxwell International, goes down in flames in Chapter 036 (v03c07) Prelude to Collapse. Similar in shape and size to the B-767, the MB-14 is 50 tons lighter than the average Airbus.  This makes it extremely economical to fly, however most of the weight reduction came at the expense of safety systems and quality of parts.  This becomes evident when poor engine durability becomes the major cause of a disaster, when a Yamato Airlines (under Kanzaki’s leadership) MB-14 crashes into Tokyo Bay, killing all on board.

Learjet 35
As one of the most popular private business jets in the world, the Learjet 35 appears several times throughout the manga series – usually as Kanzaki’s personal plane.  In In Chapter 070 (v05c10) Stairway to Ruin, he flies it to the first meeting of the Merchants of Death that kicks off Project 4.  Also, in Chapter 088 (v06c11) Air Force, he lands in a Learjet in Asran after the city falls to the Project 4 forces.  However, it’s most memorable appearance has to be in Chapter 062 (v05c02) Memoirs of a Tiger PART1 as “Blue Cheese 7” – the passenger jet that Greg uses to smuggle defectors out from behind the Iron Curtain, during Greg’s flashback “origin” story.

Cessna 172 Skyhwawk
One of the best selling planes in the entire world, the Cessna 172 Skyhawk appears several times throughout the manga series.  The first is in Chapter 022 (v02c08) Clinging to Life, during a flashback scene-within-a-scene.  As Ryoko thinks back to their first meeting, she recalls the pleasant afternoon flight in her father’s Cessna 172 Skyhawk, with Shin having been pressed into service as a co-pilot. During the flight, the pair are enthralled by her father’s recount of his time as a Kamikaze pilot in the Imperial Japanese Army during WWII. Old Man McCoy also delivers a Cessna 172 floatplane to Shin in Bambara in Chapter 108 (v07c14) Prelude to War. A pair of them also appear later in the series in Chapter 146 (v09c14) Time Passes By, as Shin and Kanzaki ‘duel’ in them during their meeting in Tokyo.

Cessna O-2 Skymaster
The Cessna O-2 Skymaster plays a major role in a turning point in Shin’s story. In Chapter 099 (v07c05) Southern Flight Plan, after being discharged from Area 88 and trying to cope with his return to civilian life, Shin is talked into taking an aerial tour of Paris by a trio of bubbly Japanese schoolgirls. During the flight, the tour pilot suffers a heart attack and Shin is forced to spring into action and take the controls.  The experience proves to Shin that he is no longer cut out for a peaceful and quiet existence, and sends him into the waiting arms of Laurent Bosch and the Mark III mercenaries.

DHC-2 Beaver (?)
Although likely a fictional amalgamation of several types of sport/recreational planes, the float plane that Greg initially flies during his “Blue Cheese 7” flashback origin story in Chapter 062 (v05c02) Memoirs of a Tiger PART1, most closely resembles a DHC-2 Beaver.

B-1A Lancer
The B-1A Lancer is another of the improbably state-of-the-art planes that somehow make it into the hands of the Area 88 pilots.  Saki takes possession of a B-1 in Europe after his eye treatment and returns to the base in style in Chapter 040 (v03c11) A Swan Carrying Death. Asran is gifted the B-1 as a test subject to determined how swapping the General Electric engines for Rolls Royce ones would affect performance.  The B-1A plays a starring role during the Desert Carrier attack and, in Chapter 047 (v04c02) 88 Desperate Situations, is instrumental in the bombing run to “Break the Big Leg” and block the Grand Slam from reaching the base.

B-52 Stratofortress
The iconic B-52 plays an interesting role in the manga series. They first appear in Chapter 147 (v09c15) Supreme Commander Kanzaki, as Project 4 brings in a large number of the all-weather large bombers. Interesting to note, some of which have been retrofitted to act as mid-flight re-fueling platforms for the fighter jets – despite never being used in this fashion by the US Air Force.

C-1 Trader
The transport version of the Grumman S-2 Tracker, in the C-1 Trader has a starring role in Chapter 069 (v05c09) Bandit Report, as the plane that transports Carlyle Benditz to the Asran Capital so he can catch a flight to Paris (and then London) after his contract is up and he is discharged from the base.

C-5 Galaxy
On occasion, when the C-130 is unavailable or the cargo is too big, McCoy has resorted to using the massive C-5 Galaxy to transport equipment to the Area 88 base – most notably in Chapter 056 (v04c11) A New Set of Molars, when McCoy brought Shin the cutting edge F-20 Tigershark at the training base in Greece.

C-47 Skytrain
Although it only appears for a few panels in Chapter 007 (v01c07) The Distant Battle, there is no mistaking the iconic C-47 Skytrain as the transport plane that first drops off NP News Service reporter Goh “Rocky” Mutsuki at the Area 88 desert base.

C-130 Hercules
As one of the main tactical transport aircraft used in the West, it should be no surprise that it plays a major role in the supply chain for the Area 88 base.  McCoy’s iconic C-130, with it’s Money Bag marking on the nose and the giant red McCoy Industries “M” on it’s tail, first appeared in Chapter 064 (v05c04) The Funeral March of Betrayal, making a memorable “tight squeeze” landing at Area 88 Mountain Base.

E-2 Hawkeye
Although not prominent in the manga series, in Chapter 124 (v08c11) The Counter-Attack Begins, the Project 4 forces employ the Northrop E-2 Hawkeye and its Aerial Early Warning (AEW) capabilities in an effort to find the location of the Area 88 costal base.

S-2 Tracker
These anti-submarine patrol aircraft play an important role in the series.  In Chapter 075 (v05c14) An Aura of Blood, two reconnaissance patrol aircraft discover the Project 4 amphibious landing site and are subsequently shot down.

S-3 Viking
Although they do not play a major role, several anti-submarine S-3 Vikings can be seen on the deck of the Area 88 Aircraft Carrier.  However, the most notable, albeit brief, appearance of an S-3 Viking comes in Chapter 157 (v10c04) The Sound of Pulling the Trigger, when an S-3 drops an anti-submarine missile (strangely described as being an infrared detection system, rather than the actual acoustic guidance system) and sinks the Project 4 Lafayette-class submarine.

AH-1 Cobra
Part of the helicopter attack squadron from Area 85, the AH-1 Cobra appears in Chapter 031 (v03c02) The Passage to Hell, where it takes out the A.G.F. Leopard 2A4 tank that ambushes the squadron. It also appears in Chapter 121 (v08c08) An Escape Plan for Two as part of the Project 4 target practice using prisoners of war in Brasia.

AH-64 Apache
The AH-64 Apache makes a short appearance in Chapter 160 (v10c07) Fighter Pilot, as part of the Project 4 ground forces during the attack on the Tundarian front.

CH-53 Sea Stallion
The CH-53 Sea Stallion appears in Chapter 146 (v09c14) Time Passes By, when Kanzaki gets picked up in style by a CH-53 Sea Stallion as he makes his return to the Middle East after he and Shin have a night of nostalgia in Japan.

CH-54_Tarhe
The CH-54 Tarhe appeared in Chapter 54 (v04c09) Spirits, Twilight, and Men, when Mickey arrives at the olive grove where Shin had make an emergency landing in an F-5A borrowed from the training base in Greece.

SH-3 Sea King
A SH-3 Sea King is first seen when it’s deployed from the Aircraft Carrier 88 to give Kim a trip home in Chapter 130 (v08c17) Love Again. It also plays a significant role in blasting a new land port for the Aircraft Carrier 88 in Chapter 133 (v09c01) Overnight Castle. Perhaps its most memorable appearance is Kim’s rescue of Shin from the Asranian Royal Palace in Chapter 171 (v10c18) The Future Turns to Ash.

SA-341 Gazelle
The SA-341 Gazelle is flown by the Mark III pilot, Kenny in Chapter 114 (v08c01) Three Hours to Live, to track down the UNIMOG that Shin and the team are using to to escape from Bosch after the attempted coup in Bamballa.

UH-1 Iroquois
The most iconic appearance of the UH-1 helicopter is likely as the main attack force that heads out in Chapter 031 (v03c02) The Passage to Hell, from Area 85 to engage a mysterious new force on the Asranian battlefield. However, the UH-1 also shows up when McCoy discovers Rishal’s body lying in the sand while flying back to Area 88 in Chapter 045 (v03c16) Under the Scarlet Sands.

Bell 206 Jetranger
One of the most widely flown helicopters anywhere, Rocky has a memorable scene aboard the Honichi Times Bell 206 Jetranger news chopper in Chapter 036 (v03c07) Prelude to Collapse, after the Yamato Airs MB-14 passenger jet crashes into Tokyo Bay.

T-62
The Soviet made T-62 is the main tank of the Anti-Government Forces army.  It appears several times in the manga, but most noticeably in the first few pages of Chapter 001 (v01c01) The Blue Skies of Betrayal – the victim of an attack by Shin’s F-8E Crusader.  The T-62 also notably appears in Chapter 155 (v10c02) Operation Order in the hands of Project 4 forces during the invasion of neighbouring Tundria.

Leopard 1A2
The Leopard 1A2 appears in Chapter 102 (v07c09) Beginning… and End as Project 4 forces, posing as Brasian troops, roll in over the border into Asran in West-German made tanks instead of their usual T-62s. The “border incursion” sets up the perfect excuse for the Asran Army (i.e. Project 4) to retaliate and invade neighbouring Brasia.

Leopard 2A4
Used by Desert Carrier forces, the West-German made Leopard 2A4 appears in the manga in Chapter 031 (v03c02) The Passage to Hell, during an ambush attack on the UH-1 helicopter forces deployed from Area 85.

M1A1 Abrams
The American-made M1A1 Abrams made makes a brief appearance in Chapter 121 (v08c08) An Escape Plan for Two, as the Project 4 forces conduct live-fire target practice using the captured Brasian defence forces as targets.

Merkava Mk.II
Despite no record of having been exported, the Israeli-made Merkava Mk.II made makes a brief appearance in Chapter 162 (v10c09) GOOD LUCK, as the Project 4 forces prepared to invade Tundaria.

UNIMOG
An acronym for the German “UNIversal-MOtor-Gerät” – with Gerät being the German word for a piece of equipment. The UNIMOG first appeared in Chapter 112 (v07c18) 50 Kilometres to Runga, as Shin and the rest of the Mark III team try to escape the treachery of Laurent Bosch. Map drives the rugged UNIMOG over some treacherous terrain – which no other land vehicle can traverse – to make a mad dash over the final 50 km to the border between Bamballa and Runga.

Enterprise-class aircraft carrier
Living up to his reputation to be able to secure ANYTHING, Old Man McCoy procures a moth-balled Enterprise-class aircraft carrier and delivers to Saki (on behalf of an anonymous donor named Shin) just in time to become Area 88’s fourth base. It makes its first, stunning, appearance in Chapter 125 (v08c12) Hope Crosses the Sea.

Lafayette-class nuclear submarine
During the initial stages of Project 4’s invasion of Tundria, the Project 4 forces launch a mid-range ballistic missile from the a Lafayette-class nuclear submarine towards a Tundrian missile base in Chapter 157 (v10c04) The Sound of Pulling the Trigger.  Launching the missile gives its position away and it is quickly sunk by an S-3 Viking.

Desert Carrier
Based on an un-used WWII-era design by a German scientist, mafia head Giuseppe Farina brings this monstrosity to life. Much like it’s more familiar ocean-going cousins, the desert carrier is a nuclear-powered craft that “sails” the sands of the desert. Consisting of a long, flat flight deck and numerous tank-tread crawlers, the Desert Carrier provides the same mobile air superiority on land that traditional aircraft carriers provide at sea.  However, there are some significant differences. The chief among these is the carrier’s ability to sink below the sand and create an almost impenetrable camouflage. Despite the significant tactical advantage this gives the carrier, it comes at a price. Unlike ocean-going vessels that are able to use seawater to cool the internal temperature, the Desert Carrier needs to rely on an air-cooling system that can render the carrier vulnerable for long periods of time. Because of the camouflage system, there is no ability to leave aircraft parked on the deck. As such, despite the same arresting hook/steam catapult systems used on regular carriers, the deck is not angled. There is an elevator system at the near end of the runway to transport aircraft into the hangars below deck. The Desert Carrier first makes its appearance in Chapter 031 (v03c02) The Passage to Hell, and becomes a massive thorn in the side of the Area 88 pilots until it is ultimately destroyed in the final battle in Chapter 052 (v04c07) Dunes of Steel.

Grand Slam
Launched from the Desert Carrier, the Grand Slam is effectively a large (300t) underground missile. Equipped with a huge drill, the Grand Slam is a slow, medium range self-propelled bomb capable of inflicting massive damage to a target – as shown by the almost complete destruction of the Area 88 desert base’s runway. Despite its slow speed, the Grand Slam, being deep underground, is very difficult to detect and destroy. The Desert Carrier was equipped with two of these massive weapons. Although the first was delayed enough by a carpet bombing campaign that the timer ran out and only destroyed a significant portion of the runway instead of the Area 88 desert base itself, the second one – launched against the Asranian Capital City – turned out to be a dud. This is likely due to corrosion after exposure to illegal industrial (nuclear?) waste that was hidden in a mine, owned by the weapons merchant O’Reilly, that the Grand Slam passed on its way to the capital city.