I saw this beautiful MD-11 taking off at RUH

A retired McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II stands on display, its imposing side intakes and two-seat cockpit prominent in the bright desert sun.

A weathered USAF-marked McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II displayed outdoors, with its distinctive twin-seat canopy, broad side intakes and underwing stores visible.

A weathered California-marked F-4 Phantom II rests on display beneath a clear blue sky, with other historic aircraft visible behind it.

Rear view of a parked McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, with its twin afterburning exhausts and outward-canted vertical tails prominent.

A rear underside view of a KC-10A Extender, its distinctive tail-mounted engine intake towering above the wings, on display among other military aircraft.

Spotted on the cargo ramp at my visit to Harrisburg

A U.S. Navy F-4 Phantom II in VC-8 markings rests on outdoor display beneath a clear desert sky.

A preserved two-seat F/A-18D Hornet in U.S. military gray, displayed beneath a bright blue sky.

A U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet on display aboard the USS Midway, shown from a dramatic low angle with its nose, cockpit, and stores prominent against a bright sky.

A UPS Airlines MD-11F freighter sits on the apron, its distinctive three-engine configuration and brown-and-gold tail set against a desert-mountain backdrop.

Goin to Oakland

A Western Global Airlines MD-11 freighter climbs away with its landing gear still extended, passing above the coastline.

Western Global Airlines MD-11F, one of the few remaining active MD-11 freighters, captured at an airport with classic tri-jet lines.

Western Global Airlines MD-11F (N781SN) performs a classic smoky touchdown, capturing the trijet's enduring appeal in cargo service.

Tucked away at ORD.

Hanging out at the FedEx terminal at ORD.

Classic McDonnell Douglas DC-9, a rare sight today, captured on a taxiway with an autumn forest backdrop.

T45 Goshawk