Flight Journal - Page 42 of 286 - Aviation History | History of Flight | Aviation History Articles, Warbirds, Bombers, Trainers, Pilots

D-DAY INVASION: JUNE 2024

1930'S FIGHTER FLIES AGAIN: APRIL 2024

The Legend of Maj. Paul "Pappy" Gunn

Their Finest Hour

Butcher Bird Hellcat & Corsair: A test pilot recalls

Stinson’s Big-Guy L-Bird

Stalin’s Flying Hammer

LATEST

Boeing Phantom Ray — first flight April 27

2011. The Phantom Ray, a stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) developed internally by Boeing takes flight. As part of Boeing’s Project Reblue, Boeing developed the Phantom Ray to take on autonomous missions that will include reconnaissance, ground attack and autonomous refueling, as well as suppression of enemy air defenses and seek and destroy missions. […]

Next Gen European Fighter — Airbus & Dassault Join Forces

Franco-German Airbus is part of the consortium behind Eurofighter, while France’s Dassault makes the Rafale jet. The two companies said their European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) would replace the existing planes by 2040. They said the deal would secure European sovereignty and technological leadership in military aviation. The French and German governments have yet […]

On this Day in Aviation History: April 24

1917 (France) — Lt. Col. William “Billy” Mitchell becomes the first United States Army officer to fly over German lines. 1946 (USSR) — First flights of the first Soviet designed and built jet aircraft, MiG-9 and Yak-15, are made. A member of the company test team for the Yak-15, Olga Yamschikova, is probably the first […]

April 18, On this Day in Aviation History

2012: Orbital Vehicle 103, the Space Shuttle Discovery, mounted to NASA 905, a Boeing 747-100 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, arrived at Dulles International Airport. The next day the Discovery was placed on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum. 1958: At Edwards Air Force Base, California, […]

F-22 Raptor Performs Belly Landing in Nevada

Thankfully the pilot was not injured in the incident. By Kyle Mizokami An F-22 Raptor fighter jet was damaged this weekend when it evidently experienced a malfunction during takeoff. The fighter skidded to a stop on the runway, damaging the underside of the aircraft. The pilot was not injured and the incident is under investigation. […]

How the Nazis’ Largest Battleship Is Still Affecting Norway Today

Decades after it sunk, the battleship Tirpitz is still stunting the environment! By David Grossman The scars of World War II are still visible today. A new study out looks at how Nazis warped Norwegian trees with poisonous gas to mask one of the largest battleships built for the conflict. Launched in 1939, the Tirpitz […]

16 April 1941. On this Day in Aviation History

Igor I. Sikorsky impressively demonstrates the capabilities of his VS-300 helicopter by hovering virtually motionless over Stratford (Connecticut) Airport for one hour, five minutes. Powered by a large, 90-hp engine, it sets a new helicopter record.

American Heroes Air Show in Austin TX April 21 & 22

The Texas Military Department’s OPEN HOUSE & AMERICAN HEROES Air Show team up to profile careers in public safety and national service. Since first landing at Camp Mabry in 2007, this unique event has been fueled by a mission to educate the Austin community about the critical role of rotary-wing aviation and exciting careers in […]

The Right Stuff — On this Day in 1959 — The World Meets the Project Mercury Astronauts

Today in 1959: NASA introduced the Project Mercury astronauts to the world. Known as the Mercury Seven or the Original Seven, they are (front row, left to right) Walter M. “Wally” Schirra Jr., Donald K. “Deke” Slayton, John H. Glenn Jr., M. Scott Carpenter, (back row) Alan B. Shepard Jr., Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom and […]

On this Day in Aviation History – April 6

It is amazing to look back and see all the amazing accomplishments made throughout the years in aviation. The feats and personalities involved have changed the world for ever and we all benefit from those that came before. 1890 (Java) — Anthony Herman Gerald Fokker, Dutch pioneer airman and aircraft manufacturer, is born in […]