The Convair F2Y was an experimental seaplane in the 1950s and the fastest seaplane in the world. But like any other envelope-pushing aircraft of its time, it was just not meant to be. Here are the ten interesting things that you need to know about this seaplane fighter aircraft: 1. It has a delta wing […] More
A failed landing or a takeoff on a short aircraft carrier strip can result in damage or the loss of significant defense assets or the crew. Here’s what happens when pilots fail to land at a very high speed on a US aircraft carrier: 1. The deck of an aircraft carrier is supported by a […] More
The US military is an institution that relies heavily on training to protect the lives of its troops. These men and women operate in extremely dangerous conditions and equipment. However, do you know there’s a terrifying test to prepare troops in case their helicopter has crashed into the ocean? Helicopter Underwater Escape Training (HUET) The […] More
The Kawasaki Ki-61 Tony was the only 1943 Japanese fighter that could really compete with the P-38. Here are the ten interesting facts about Japan’s answer to the P-38 Lightning: 1. It’s considered the best-looking fighters of WWII It’s a relatively streamlined airplane packed with a supercharged liquid-cooled inverted V12. The Tony doesn’t always look […] More
Demonstration Practice The mission was to practice the maneuvers they would be performing in an airshow 3 days away. First, the plane takes off and turns left at an 80-degree angle. After a while, the C-17 is expected to turn right at a 260-degree angle. After this turn, the plane would then be aligned to […] More
1. Routine Checks Like any other airplane, the C-5 gets its wheels checked first by the ground crew. Its 28 wheels can be individually raised for maintenance. In this step, the brakes of the C-5 are also tested. A well-maintained set of wheels is very important for a massive plane like the C-5. 2. Loading […] More
1. State of Japanese Cities Houses in Japan’s cities were predominantly made of wood and paper. Combine that with the fact that Japan’s urban areas were densely populated, and you’ll get flammable cities. Furthermore, their military plants were surrounded by these crowded areas and some of the industrial work was actually done inside the homes […] More
The B-2 was fueled by a need for a US bomber that could deliver nuclear warheads to the heart of Moscow in case an apocalyptic conflict arose. In worst-case scenarios, the US needed the most advanced bomber to strike Soviet Union’s inner cities. Here are ten facts about the “Invisible Bomber,” the B-2 that will […] More
US Naval vessels are often tasked to spend months on the sea. Thus, the Navy needs to use creative methods to keep the crews fed and the ships armed and fueled. One of the oldest and perhaps most effective resupplying techniques is the airdrop. This is an airlift operation in which weapons, equipment, humanitarian aid, […] More
1. Detailed Briefings Pre-flight operations always start with briefings. In these meetings, the pilots are fed with intel from the Carrier Intelligence Center. It covers any flight-related information such as the current and forecasted weather and ship position. In addition, they are also told about the critical operations in the area and the recent data […] More
1. Night Vision Lens Contrary to what its name suggests, the Javelin’s night vision lens can be used for day and night missions. It provides an option to use a 4x or 9x magnification and infrared sight. The lens is part of the Command Launch Unit which can be detached from the main tube. When […] More
In June 1950, communist forces from North Korea invaded western-aligned South Korea, starting the Korean War. General Douglas MacArthur was put in charge of the coalition of United Nations troops. President Truman was also worried that China might view the invasion as hostile, causing them to intervene in the conflict. However, MacArthur assured his superior […] More
