Bell D-188A: The US Military’s Early Attempt at Developing a VTOL Aircraft
Throughout the Cold War, militaries across the world were interested in bettering their arsenals in the event of an enemy attack. One particular type of…
The B-29 Superfortress ‘Kee Bird’ Was Frozen in Time for 47 Years – It Was Almost Rescued
On February 20, 1947, US Air Force Lt. Vern H. Arnett and his 11-man crew took off for what was meant to be a routine…
Boeing E-4: The Cold War-Era ‘Doomsday Plane’ the US Air Force is Looking to Replace
Everyone has heard of the US Air Force’s “Doomsday Planes,” but do you actually know what they are? Stationed out of Offutt Air Force Base,…
C-5 Galaxy vs C-17 Globemaster III: What’s the Difference Between These Cargo Aircraft?
When it comes to strategic airlift operations, the US Air Force has two aces up its sleeve: the Lockheed C-5 Galaxy and the Boeing (formerly…
The Kamov Ka-50 ‘Black Shark’ Was Battle-Tested in the Harsh Conditions of the Second Chechen War
The Kamov Ka-50 “Black Shark” is a Russian single-seat attack helicopter developed by JSC Kamov. The chopper entered service with the Russian Armed Forces in…
Northrop YF-23: The Diamond-Winged Fighter That Couldn’t Out-Perform Lockheed’s F-22 Raptor
Northrop (today Northrop Grumman) is among the most famous military aircraft producers in North America, so it’s no surprise the company became involved in developing…
Is the Shenyang FC-31 China’s Answer to the US Air Force’s F-35 Lightning II?
When it comes to advanced military technology, many nations look to the United States for inspiration. This includes China, with the country constantly developing equipment…
Bell AH-1Z Viper: The US Marine Corps’ Secret (and Powerful) Weapon in the Sky
When it comes to attack choppers, Bell Textron (formerly Bell Helicopter) is a major player in the North American market. The brains behind the famed…
The B-29 Superfortress ‘Enola Gay’ Forever Changed Warfare When It Dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima
For many, the development of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a turning point of the Second World War. Hitting the skies in mid-1944, the bomber…
The Most Iconic Cargo Aircraft in Military History
When discussing military aircraft, much of the conversation centers around fighters and bombers. However, there’s a category that is deserving of more recognition: military cargo…
The 309th Maintenance and Regeneration Group Manages the Largest Aircraft Boneyard in the World
Military enthusiasts and aviation fans alike often marvel at aircraft boneyards, and the largest one in the world is located in the southwestern United States.…
The A-10 Warthog Was Built to Last – And These Facts Prove It
The Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II – better known among airmen as the “Warthog” – is one of the most powerful pieces of Cold War-era…
Northrop F-5: The Supersonic Lightweight Fighter That Was More Beloved By American Allies Than the US Air Force
When it comes to fighter jets, the emphasis has always been on making them faster and cheaper to procure and maintain, while not sacrificing their…
Two Dead Following Crash Involving World War II-Era Aircraft in California
Two individuals aboard a World War II-era Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior – better known as the L12 – died when the aircraft crashed shortly…
Boeing Delivers First Operational F-15EX Eagle II to Oregon Air National Guard
After an eight-month delay, Boeing has officially delivered its first operational F-15EX Eagle II to the US Air Force. Pilots with the 142nd Wing of…
Ukraine Claims Destruction of Sukhoi Su-57 Deep Within Russian Territory
Ukraine has scored several hits within Russian territory, but few have been as major as the one recently announced on Telegram. Posting to its official…
Did You Know the MiG-28 Fighters in ‘Top Gun’ Don’t Actually Exist?
Within the world of military aviation and popular culture, few fictional aircraft have captured the imagination quite like the MiG-28. Despite not really existing, it…
Royal Air Force Pilot Loses Life After Supermarine Spitfire Crashes Near RAF Coningsby
A Royal Air Force (RAF) pilot has died after the World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire he was manning crashed in a field near RAF Coningsby.…
Mil Mi-28 Havoc: The Soviet-Era Attack Helicopter That Didn’t Enter Service Until 2009
The Mil Mi-28 Havoc dates back to the early 1980s, an era marked by significant advancements in military technology. The Soviet Union recognized the need…
Little-Know Facts About the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird – One Disintegrated Mid-Flight!
One of the most famous and sleekest reconnaissance aircraft ever operated by the US Air Force is the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. A feat of engineering,…
These Are the Most Famous Military Aircraft Developed By Boeing
Boeing, a titan (and sometimes controversial) name in the aerospace industry, has a rich history of producing some of the world’s most iconic and formidable…
Pacific Wrecks Team Locates What They Believe to Be Richard Bong’s Missing P-38 ‘Marge’
Update – 05/24/2024: The joint-organization team involved in the search for US Army Air Forces (USAAF) pilot Richard Bong’s missing Lockheed P-38 Lightning Marge has…
US Air Force Orders New $13 Billion ‘Doomsday Plane’
The US Air Force has given Sierra Nevada a $13 billion contract to develop a new “Doomsday plane” – essentially, a successor to the Boeing…
The Soviet MiG-17 ‘Fresco’ Gave the North Vietnamese An Edge Against American Aircraft
Developed by the Soviet Union in the 1950s, the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17 quickly became a symbol of advanced aerial warfare technology. A successor to the famous…
Jimmy Buffett Anonymously Donated Two WWII-Era Aircraft to a Museum Before His Death
Jimmy Buffett’s passing on September 1, 2023 was a shock to music fans across the world. The “Margaritaville” singer’s death was attributed to an aggressive…
Forward-Swept Wings Gave the Sukhoi Su-47 ‘Berkut’ a Unique Appearance
Continued advancements are the norm when it comes to military aviation, and some designs stand out for their unique features and designs. The Russian Sukhoi…
Retired ‘Lancelot’ B-1B Lancer Being Returned to Active Service
The US Air Force has made the decision to reactivate a Rockwell B-1B Lancer it put into storage three years ago. The strategic bomber, nicknamed…
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23: The Most-Produced Variable-Sweep Wing Aircraft in History
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 “Flogger” is a variable-geometry fighter aircraft designed for the Soviet Union in the 1960s. It was introduced in the 1970s, with 5,047…
Northrop Grumman RQ-180: The US Air Force’s ISR Aircraft That’s Shrouded In Secrecy
When it comes to aerial reconnaissance and surveillance, the Northrop Grumman RQ-180 holds a unique position. Developed in secrecy following the retirement of the Lockheed…
A Man Bought All the Excess B-2 Spirit Windshields and Used Them to Build His Daughter a Treehouse
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is among the most advanced aircraft ever developed. Designed to blend stealth with strength, it’s capable of performing tasks other…
Sukhoi Su-30: The Russian Air Superiority Fighter That Rivals the American F-15E Strike Eagle
The Sukhoi Su-30 (Flanker-C) is a testament to the advancements made in contemporary air combat technology, offering pilots an incredible blend of agility, speed and…
The B-17 Flying Fortress Saw Use As An Airliner?! 12 Facts About the Iconic American Heavy Bomber
When asked what they think the most iconic Allied bomber of the Second World War was, the majority of historians and aircraft enthusiasts will likely…
Wreckage of WWII-Era Douglas SBD Dauntless Discovered In Pacific 80 Years After It Went Missing
In the jungle of Papua New Guinea, a relic from the Second World War has been discovered. The artifact, a downed Douglas SBD Dauntless, went…
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Scared the West – Until a Defector Exposed Its Secrets
The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 “Foxbat” carved its niche in aviation history with a blend of awe and mystery. This iconic aircraft, developed by the Soviet Union,…
Tupolev Tu-95: The Soviet-Era Bomber That Could See Nearly 100 Years of Active Service
Know by NATO as the “Bear,” the Tupolev Tu-95 is a turboprop-powered strategic bomber operated by the Russian Aerospace Forces. Dating back to the Cold…
Sukhoi Su-35: The Russian Multirole Fighter That Screams Aerial Dominance
The Sukhoi Su-35 stands as a testament to Russia’s relentless pursuit of aerial dominance. This advanced, super-maneuverable, fourth-generation fighter jet has not only captured the…
A US Air Force Stealth Bomber Was Once Caught Mid-Flight On Google Maps
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is among the most advanced stealth bombers ever developed. Its unique design is meant to keep its radar signature at…
X-32: Boeing’s Jet Fighter Prototype Lost Out to the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II
Many unusual-looking aircraft have been developed over the years, but none are as ugly as the Boeing X-32. Designed as part of the Joint Strike…
North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco: The Vietnam-Era Light-Attack Aircraft That’s Looking to Make a Comeback
The North American Rockwell OV-10 Bronco was a Vietnam-era light-attack and observation aircraft that was favored by the US Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.…
Bell P-63 Kingcobra: The American Fighter-Turned-Soviet Tank Buster
The Second World War saw the development of several new aircraft, among them the Bell P-63 Kingcobra. Initially developed for use by America, it became…
World War II-Era Mystery Solved 80 Years After Aircraft, Pilot Went Missing Over Italy
While fighting the Axis powers in Italy during the Second World War, a number of Allied pilots lost their lives. One of them was US…
SR-72: Lockheed Martin’s Proposed Hypersonic Successor to the SR-71 Blackbird
In 1998, the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird was officially retired, marking the end of its over 30-year service with the US Air Force. Over its three…
Video Shows Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider Taking First Flight
The Northrop Grumman B-21 Raider – better known as the US Air Force’s newest flying wing – underwent its first official flight on November 10,…
The Magic Engineering Behind Why Early Fighters Didn’t Shoot Their Own Propellers
Let’s dive into something that’s been bugging many for decades: how did old fighter aircraft shoot at the enemy without blasting their own propellers into…
One of the Principal Designers for the B-2 Spirit Got Himself Incarcerated At a Supermax Prison
The Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit is an American heavy strategic bomber featuring low-observable stealth technology, allowing it to penetrate and attack undetected deep within enemy…
Northrop XP-79: The Flying Wing Designed to Ram Into Enemy Aircraft in Mid-Air
The Northrop XP-79 Flying Ram was a rocket- and jet-powered flying-wing fighter designed during the Second World War for the US Army Air Forces. The…
Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum Embarking on Project to Reconstruct WWII-Era Fairey Barracuda
The Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm Museum has launched a project to carry out a live rebuild over a period of 10 years of an…
A Boeing B-29 Superfortress Carrying An Atomic Bomb Once Crashed In California
On August 5, 1950, a Boeing B-29 Superfortress, operated by the US Air Force and carrying a Mark 4 nuclear bomb, crashed northeast of San…
Debris Field Found in Search for Missing US Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II
Update – September 19, 2023: The crash site of the Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II that went missing over South Carolina on September 17, 2023…
Restricted Military Documents About F-117 Nighthawk Leaked on ‘War Thunder’ Forum
For the twelfth time in recent memory, military documents have been leaked to the public via the War Thunder forum – this time, regarding the…
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark Traded Ejection Seats for a Crew Escape Module
The General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark was a supersonic, medium-range, multi-role aircraft. Developed in the 1960s, it fulfilled a number of roles, including strategic bombing, reconnaissance…
North American B-25 Mitchell: The Most Produced American Medium Bomber of World War II
The North American B-25 Mitchell was an American twin-engine medium bomber that saw service throughout the Second World War. Flying in all theaters of the…
Victory Markings Were Used By Pilots To Show Wins Against the Enemy
It’s undeniable that aerial combat played a pivotal role in shaping the outcome of numerous battles during World War II. The skies were dominated by…
The Iraqi Air Force Buried Its MiG-25s In the Desert to Stop Them Being Destroyed By the US
There are some things you don’t expect to find hidden in the middle of the desert, and a Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 is certainly one of them. The…
US Naval Aviators Once Complained That NASA Pilots Were Bullying Them
In 1976, the US Navy retired its fleet of Vought F-8 Crusaders. The aircraft had an illustrious career, with the greatest kill ratio of all…
Downed Nakajima B5N2 Torpedo Bomber Off the Coast of Papua New Guinea
During the Second World War, the Nakajima B5N emerged as one of the most formidable aircraft in the Imperial Japanese Navy’s (IJN) arsenal. Renowned for…
Pilots Were Meant to Fly the Gloster Meteor F8 WK935 While Lying Down
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies’ only jet-powered aircraft to engage in combat during World War II. Following the…
A B-52H Stratofortress Once Flew for Five Hours – Without a Tail!
In January 1964, a Boeing B-52H Stratofortress embarked on an eight-hour flight load survey to test buffeting turbulence effects at low-levels. When this turbulence became…
Hughes XF-11: The Aircraft That Almost Took Out Its Creator
The Hughes XF-11 was a prototype reconnaissance aircraft intended to be operated by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was partially designed by Howard…
Martin B-26 Marauder: The Accident-Prone Medium Bomber That Went On to Become One of the Most Successful of WWII
The Martin B-26 Marauder was an American twin-engine medium bomber that saw service during World War II. Taking part in action in all theaters of…
Fairey Swordfish: The Outdated Biplane That Helped Sink the German Battleship Bismarck
The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber, nicknamed “Stringbag,” that primarily served with the Fleet Air Arm (FAA) of the British Royal Navy during…
The Story Behind a Lockheed P-38G Lightning Wreck Off the Southern Coast of France
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a versatile and highly capable fighter used by the United States and other Allied countries in both the European and…
World War II-Era Hawker Hurricanes Found Buried In Ukraine
As the fighting continues to wage on in Ukraine as part of the Russo-Ukrainian War, several World War II-era relics have been unearthed. Not only…
Forget CGI! A B-17 Was Actually Crashed During the Filming of ‘Twelve O’Clock High’
We live in a world where CGI is commonplace in movies. It’s actually become a selling point to say that flight sequences, such as those…
The B-17 Tail Gunner Who Continued to Fight, Even After Being Shot Down
On November 29, 1943, tail gunner Eugene Paul Moran survived what could have been a horrific crash aboard a Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. While on…
Convair XFY Pogo: The Tail Sitter That Looked Like a Mallard Duck
The Convair XFY Pogo was an American experimental vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) tail-sitter aircraft. Following World War II, the Americans began developing VTOL combat…
Northrop YB-49: The Flying Wing Strategic Bomber That Was Years Ahead of Its Time
The Northrop YB-49 was an American prototype jet-powered strategic bomber. The Northrop Corporation developed it following the Second World War for service with the US…
A WWII Bomber Pilot Flew a Cessna 172 for Over 64 Days As a Publicity Stunt
If you thought the seven-hour New York to London flight was bad, buckle up because two men decided to break the record for the world’s…
Goodyear Once Developed An Inflatable Aircraft Known As The ‘Inflatoplane’
During the 1950s, Goodyear became more involved with the US military, trying its hand at creating an aircraft that was compact enough to be delivered…
US Navy Pilots Were Afraid to Fly the Vought F7U Cutlass
The Vought F7U Cutlass was a carrier-based aircraft that served with the US Navy between 1951-59. Developed with the use of German research taken by…
How An F/A-18 Hornet Pilot and His Wingman Returned to Base After a Mid-Air Collision
On April 22, 1996, two US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets got into a mid-air collision during an exercise off the coast of Virginia. Both…
The Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress ‘Memphis Belle’ Flew 25 Combat Missions Over Europe
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress holds the distinction of being the third-most produced bomber of all time, with 12,731 built from 1936-45. The aircraft first…
The Northrop Tacit Blue Was Nicknamed the ‘Alien School Bus’ For Its Unusual Design
Several unusual aircraft have been developed over the years (just look at the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin), but few were as unique in appearance as the…
The Most Impactful Military Vehicles of World War II
In the shadowy chapters of history, battles are often viewed through the prism of generals and troops – their tactics, their bravery and their sacrifices.…
The Most Beautiful Military Aircraft to Ever Roll Off the Production Line
In the world of aviation, the marriage of beauty and function has birthed stunning creations, with aesthetics and power being held in equal regard. From…
The Hughes H-4 Hercules Was An Absolute Mammoth Of An Aircraft
Several experimental aircraft have been designed over the years, but few (if any) were as large and eye-catching as the Hughes H-4 Hercules. A flying…
The WWII-Era Disappearance of a Grumman J2F Duck Over Greenland
The Grumman J2F Duck was an amphibious aircraft that served the US military in various capacities during the Second World War. It could operate from…
Albert Hickman: The F3H Demon Pilot Who Refused to Eject and Saved the Lives of 700 Americans
Disaster doesn’t just strike in the heat of battle; there are times when things go wrong during training, which put servicemen’s lives in danger. That’s…
Naval Aviators Graffiti Jet Fighter After Pilot Lands On the Wrong Aircraft Carrier
If you look at photographs captured during the mid-20th century, odds are you’ll come across some that feature US Navy aircraft covered in graffiti. The…
Dassault Rafale: The French ‘Burst of Fire’ That’s Seen Service Across the Middle East
The Dassault Rafale is a French twin-engine multi-role fighter. Developed in the 1980s and ’90s, the fighter was the product of disagreements with allied nations…
A Gloster Meteor Once Deflected A V-1 Flying Bomb With Its Wing
The V-1 flying bomb was an early cruise missile developed by Germany as part of its V-weapons (Vergeltungswaffen) program. Starting on June 13, 1944, V-1s…
Walter Holden Accidentally Took Off In a Fighter Jet – Despite Not Knowing How to Fly It
Not everyone who serves with the Royal Air Force (RAF) is a pilot, as it’s equally important for crewmen to maintain the aircraft. This, however,…
Ryan FR-1 Fireball: The US Navy’s First Jet-Engine Fighter Was Also the Worst Aircraft of World War II
The Ryan FR-1 Fireball was an American fighter designed by Ryan Aeronautical for the US Navy during the Second World War. It was a mixed-power…
Bell X-1: America’s Experimental Rocket-Powered Aircraft That First Broke the Sound Barrier
The Bell X-1 was a rocket-powered aircraft designed by Bell for a supersonic joint research project between the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) and…
Henschel Hs 129 :The Luftwaffe’s Soaring Tank Buster Armed With a 75 mm Cannon
As tank warfare evolved and became a key strategy during the interwar period, the German Wehrmacht envisioned a new kind of blitzkrieg – one that…
Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star: The Only US Jet Fighter to See Action In WWII – During Secret Operations In Italy
The Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, also known as the F-80, was the first jet fighter used operationally by the US Army Air Forces (USAAF). While…
No. 1426 Flight RAF Flew German Aircraft Decked Out In Royal Air Force Insignia
In September 1942, Rachel and Eddie Jones were enjoying the warm weather at their home near Romsey, England. Rachel had formed a keen interest in…
Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse: The German Bomber Destroyer That Was No Match for Allied Fighters
The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was a German twin-engine heavy fighter and bomber destroyer operated by the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. Designed as…
KAI T-50 Golden Eagle: The Supersonic Trainer That Took Out Rebels In the Philippines
The KAI T-50 Golden Eagle is one of few supersonic trainers in the world and the first developed for the Republic of Korea Air Force…
Mikoyan MiG-29K: The Russian Cold War-Era Fighter That Didn’t Enter Service Until 2010
The Mikoyan MiG-29K is a Russian all-weather carrier-based multirole fighter. Developed by the Mikoyan Design Bureau in the late 1980s, it was the naval variant…
Saab J35 Draken: The Nordic Dragon That Accidentally Discovered the Cobra Maneuver
In the post-World War II world, the need for advanced jet fighter technology loomed large. In the soaring 1960s, the Saab J35 Draken was nothing…
Why Did a Test Pilot Wear a Gorilla Mask In Flight?
Imagine flying through the skies during the Second World War when, suddenly, an aircraft appears to your left. The pilot waves at you, but it’s…
The P-38F Lightning ‘Glacier Girl’ Was Buried Beneath The Ice For 50 Years
So many aircraft went down during the Second World War that it would be difficult to calculate the total. One was a Lockheed P-38F Lightning,…
de Havilland Mosquito: The Versatile Aircraft That Struck Fear Into the Germans
The de Havilland Mosquito was a British twin-engine, multirole combat aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force (RAF) and other Allied air forces during…
Northrop Grumman X-47B: The US Navy’s Historic Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle
The Northrop Grumman X-47B is an American unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Two were developed for use under the US Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System…
Korean War Helicopters That Were Vital to Those Serving In the Conflict
The Korean War took place between 1950-53 and saw the UN coalition forces operate a plethora of military vehicles, including helicopters. The United States, in…
The McDonnell F3H Demon Was Doomed Before It Ever Entered Service
The US Navy has operated an array of aircraft throughout its history, but few had as short a service life as the McDonnell F3H Demon.…
Cessna A-37 Dragonfly: The Forgotten Legend of Vietnam
The Cessna A-37 Dragonfly is an American light attack aircraft. Developed from the T-37 Tweet basic trainer, which earned it the nickname, “Super Tweet,” it…
The Vought F-8 Crusader was Nicknamed the ‘Last of the Gunfighters’
The Vought F-8 Crusader was an American jet-powered fighter that served with the US Navy from 1957-76. During its tenure, the aircraft participated in the…
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet Was the ‘Champ of the Fighter-Bombers’
The Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American jet-powered fighter-bomber. Primarily flown by the US Air Force from 1947-64, it suffered many issues during its development…