Military Archives - Page 18 of 180

Restored Tomcat to Debut During Air Show

As Warbirds News reported three weeks ago, the Commemorative Air Force’s High Sky Wing, based in Midland, Texas, was set to begin refurbishing a U.S. Navy Grumman F-14A Tomcat on July 27. This airframe, if you recall, is of particular significance because it was the first Tomcat to shoot down another aircraft in combat. Cmdr. […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1918 – The first American night patrol of the war takes place when a Felixstowe F.2A flying boat crewed by U.S. Navy Ensign Ashton W. Hawkins and Lt. George F. Lawrence take off on patrol from RNAS Killingholme, England. 1930 – Birth of Neil Alden Armstrong (shown), American aviator, NASA astronaut, test pilot, aerospace engineer, […]

Lockheed Martin May Build F-16s in India

U.S. aerospace firm Lockheed Martin is in talks with the Indian government to build the latest version of F-16 Fighting Falcon warplanes in India, a company official said on Thursday. The firm has offered to move its only production line for the fighter jets from Fort Worth, Texas, to India from where F-16s could be […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1898 – Birth of Lionel Arthur Ashfield, British World War I flying ace. 1943 – The first Canadian-built four-engined aircraft, the Avro 683 Lancaster X, is flown at Malton, Ontario. 1952 – Death of Robert Opie Lindsay, American World War I flying ace and U.S. Army Air Corps officer; he also was a founding member […]

USMC Says F-35B Ready to Fight

When asked on Friday if the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II could fly combat missions to fight ISIS in Iraq and Syria, the U.S. Marine Corps’ head of aviation said, “We’re ready to do that.” Noting that the decision to deploy the fifth-generation jet into combat would come from higher command, Lt. Gen. Jon Davis, deputy commandant […]

Warbirds Abound at Oshkosh

Truly one of the most iconic events in aviation, even though it’s organized by the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), is Airventure. Better known by the name of EAA’s hometown of Oshkosh, Wis., the week-long event always brings together an incredible variety of airplanes large and small from far and wide. Warbirds are a vital part […]

F-35A Could Be Ready to Fight Soon

Lockheed Martin Corp.’s next-generation F-35 jet could be deployed on combat missions this year if requested by regional commanders, according to the U.S. general responsible for declaring the system war-ready. “The minute I declare initial operational capability, if the combatant commander calls me up and says they needed F-35s, I would send them,” U.S. Air […]

First Flight for ‘Doc’ Set for Sunday

Doc’s Friends, the group managing the restoration of the B-29 known as Doc, announced today the historic B-29 will make its return to flight Sunday, July 17. The restored Boeing B-29 Superfortress will take off from the non-joint-use runway at McConnell Air Force Base, adjacent to where the restoration team has spent the last 16 […]

On This Day in Aviation History

1895 – Birth of William Otto Brash Winkler, Scottish World War I fighter ace. 1917 – In daylight, German Gotha heavy bombers make a third attack on England, killing 65 people and injuring 245. 1927 – T.B. Tull and J.V. Medcalf are the first Canadians to attempt a transatlantic flight but after they depart Harbour Grace in Newfoundland, the duo […]

Chinese Military Adds Transport to Fleet

China’s air force on Wednesday put into service a new, domestically-developed large transport aircraft, as part of the government’s ambitious modernization program. The Xian Y-20 has a maximum takeoff weight of 200 tons and is ideal for carrying cargo and people over long distances in difficult weather conditions, the air force said in a short statement […]