For over a decade, there were rising tensions between the US and Libya, and it all came to a head on January 4, 1989. As the USS John F. Kennedy sailed in the Mediterranean, they detected two Libyan MiG-23 Floggers taking off from a nearby base and headed toward the carrier. Two F-14 Tomcats were […] More
We’ve all seen our fair share of experimental aircraft, such as the X-36 tailless fighter, the NASA AD-1 oblique wing plane, and the Bell X-1. These planes are all unique in some sort of way, but none of them are known to be as massive as the Douglas XB-19. XBLR (Experimental Bomber Long Range) Developed […] More
Even though the Mitsubishi Zero is Japan’s most recognizable plane of WWII, it was not the fastest nor their most powerful aircraft. That distinction belongs to a Japanese floatplane dubbed the Kawanishi N1K2-J Shiden Kai (George). Japan’s Early Plans The Japanese Empire was preparing to strike US military bases in 1941. Engineers from Kawanishi proposed […] More
Powered by a new engine that the world has never seen, the French Leduc 022 was geared to dominate the skies. Equipped with anti-air missiles and rockets, it would have been the perfect French bomber interceptor in the ‘50s. But today, the 022 is nowhere to be seen. Why is that? Going Back To 1913 […] More
During the first year of the war of the Pacific between the United States and Japan, there was just one fighter in the US Navy’s arsenal that could even hope of going toe-to-toe with the Mitsubishi A6m Zero and that is the Grumman F4F Wildcat. At that time, it was the best carrier fighter the […] More
Jay Leno believes that the Rolls-Royce Merlin is the greatest piston aircraft engine ever built – and he’s not all talk either. The television host owns several blueprints, books, manuals, and also owns two cars powered by a Merlin. However, what he’s really excited about is the new addition to his garage: a Packard-built Rolls-Royce […] More
During World War II, the B-29 Superfortress was one of the most formidable aircraft in the skies. Capable of carrying a devastating payload, the B-29 was an essential tool in the United States’ effort to defeat Japan. One of its many pilots was Frederick Allen Stearns, who flew the #42-94098 along with eleven more crewmembers. […] More
The Hercules is a massive cargo sea boat built towards the end of World War II by the Hughes Aircraft Company. Here are ten interesting things that you need to know about the behemoth of a plane: 1. It’s huge by 2022 standards, let alone in the 1940s The Hercules was a massive unit. It […] More
Ed McNeff was a P-51 Mustang pilot in the 355th Fighter Group in 1944 and 1945. This video walks you through two particularly challenging missions with his wingmen, and a run with skilled German Ace, Heinz Bar. 355th Fighter Group In March 1944, a couple of months before the Allied invasion of Normandy, Ed McNeff […] More
Loyce Deen was a TBF Avenger Torpedo Bomber gunner that was killed in action. Here’s the story behind the only Navy airman in history to be buried at sea inside his plane. Sent to the Front In the spring of 1944, Loyce Deen had recently passed gunnery training and had been sent to the front […] More
On December 13, 1943, 2nd Lt Philip R. Adair was flying Lulu Belle, his beloved P-40, over the skies of Assam when he saw what looked like a flight of 4 planes. When he took a closer look, he saw a force of 60 planes of both bombers and fighters headed straight for his home […] More
During the early 1960s, recent developments in submarine technology have open a new front in the global nuclear standoff situation. Back then, Americans could easily detect Soviet silos and launch sites, intercepting any attempts. Supersonic interceptor fighters were also on standby, stopping the enemy from reaching population centers. However, nuclear-armed fission-reactor-powered submarines could wander in the […] More
