By Steve Pace It was first publicly known as the A-11, then the YF-12A, but it actually began life in total secrecy as the AF-12. We’ll call it the YF-12A because that’s what its buyer, the U.S. Air Force, designated it and it was just one of the many derivatives of the Lockheed-built CIA-funded A-12 [...]

The F-35 Approaches U.S. Service By Robert F. Dorr Col. Andrew J. “Drifter” Toth, commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing, the “Nomads” at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, was talking about the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter when he acknowledged a flight restriction on the airplane. “We’re not allowed to fly within 25 miles [...]

By Robert F. Dorr Only once in history has an intercontinental ballistic missile — an ICBM — been launched from an aircraft in flight. It happened October 24, 1974 when a C-5A Galaxy from Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, launched a 60-foot, 78,000-pound LGM-30F Minuteman II ICBM from its cargo ramp high over the Pacific [...]

  With a month to go to the 70th anniversary of the Dambusters Raid, the Royal Air Force Museum London has unveiled the various activities that it has organized to commemorate this historic campaign and the men of 617 Squadron. From 13th to 17th of May the Museum will have on display  a selection of artefacts from the Dambusters [...]

 Never been done–at least not since World War II. For the first time since our nation’s heroes made history in the skies over Europe, the general public is now scheduled to see a dedicated team of skydivers jump from a formation trio of Douglas C-47s in “D-Day” invasion livery. And it’s going to happen at [...]

History buffs will be ecstatic – aviation enthusiasts will be thrilled – the general public will be captivated.  Those are the great reactions to be expected when five lovingly restored, airworthy B-25 Mitchell bombers visit the Destin Airport in conjunction with the activities for the 71st Doolittle Raiders Anniversary Reunion in Fort Walton Beach. There [...]