The Japanese Empire had already planned to occupy Tulagi in Solomon Islands in 1942. To stretch their defensive perimeter even more, they had decided to turn their attention to Australia. Conflicting Ideas Some Japanese officials voiced their disagreement towards the planned invasion in Australia. They argued that the New Guinea stronghold at Port Moresby would […] More
The F/A-18E/F Super Hornet is one of America’s multi-role supersonic fighter and attack aircraft. This combat-proven fighter is and will be the backbone of the US Navy carrier air wing for decades to come. Notable Features It has the capability to employ any air-to-ground and air-to-air weapons in the Navy’s arsenal. The F/A-18E/F’s most notable […] More
During World War II, Britain and France planned Plan R4, frustrated by the country’s neutrality, and their unwillingness to allow the Allied troops to cross the country to help Finland during the Soviet Invasion. When Hitler learned about the Allies’ major military operation to occupy Norway, he planned to seize Norway before the Allies did. […] More
Blohm and Vohs’ creation, the infamous BV 141, was designed to be Germany’s reconnaissance aircraft in WWII. The strange-looking plane was in tight competition with the twin-engined, twin-boom Fw 189 before it lost the contract. Here’s what you need to know about the Luftwaffe’s uncommon reconnaissance plane. Unique Structural Asymmetry The Bv 141 was aerodynamically […] More
The Bristol Blenheim is a British light bomber aircraft that became the fastest commercial airliner in the world in the 1930s. It was also extensively used during the early part of World War II. Here are five facts that you need to know about this medium bomber: 1. Over 1550 units of the Mark 1 […] More
Flying the P-51 Mustang Ding Hao!, ace pilot Major James H. Howard defied all odds by defending the heavy bombers of the 401st Bomb Group from a swarm of Luftwaffe fighters. Andy Rooney went as far as saying that it was “the greatest fighter pilot story of World War II.” A Tricky Situation On January 11, […] More
The B-29 tail gunner is in the aft section of the bomber, facing backward, and is responsible for protecting the backend and the formation from tail attacks. How effective was it? Advanced Control Systems The tail turret has an arc travel of up to 30 degrees in all major directions. Moreover, the guns were fitted […] More
The Heinkel He 177 was Germany’s only long-range heavy bomber produced in significant numbers. Regardless, this aircraft would soon contribute to Germany’s defeat by sucking up enormous resources into an ineffective and compromised project. Confusing Designation Most of the crashes the He 177 suffered were from mechanical failures. Engine troubles plagued the aircraft, stemming from […] More
Can one American Carrier Strike Group successfully go up against Japan’s entire Navy? Spring of 1942 Japan sets its sights on the Hawaiian archipelago. In response, the CSG deploys an E-2C Hawkeye for surveillance and a handful of helicopters during its downtime. A CSG’s Air Wing carries around 6 to 20 helicopters, depending on the […] More
On July 9, 1962, thousands of people gathered in Tushino Airfield to watch a grand air parade dedicated to Soviet Aviation Day. At the parade’s conclusion, 10 unusually looking aircraft appeared- the aerodynamic shape and swept wings resembled the fighter, but these mysterious planes were thrice the fighter size. This is the day of the […] More
The MiG-9 was the first Soviet turbojet fighter built after World War II. Here are some interesting facts about this Russian fighter that couldn’t shoot its guns: Parade Fighter During the Soviet Air Force Day, the MiG-9 with its gigantic cannon indeed look ferocious, what most foreign officers didn’t know is that these all-new Soviet […] More
Air combat during WWII was dominated by propeller-driven aircraft. Regardless, the Allies were still cautious about the fact that the Germans had jets in their arsenal. In lieu of this, they decided to make one of their own. It would be called the Gloster Meteor and was the Allies’ only jet aircraft to engage in […] More
