When we hear James Stewart’s name, we often think of his acting career; we particularly think of his role in It’s a Wonderful Life. I mean, who doesn’t love that movie? But did you know that he was the first Hollywood star to wear a military uniform during World War II? James Stewart is one [...]
Designed by Lockheed Aircraft, this Vega monoplane holds a special place in the hearts of many. The record-setting plane was capable of long-ranges and was used in the discovery of jet streams. Design, Development, Operation John Knudsen Northrop, of Northrop Corporation, and Gerard Vultee, of Vultee Aircraft Corporation, designed the Vega in the earlier days [...]
There’s nothing worse than being stuck in an airport, all alone, for five hours or more. I mean what are you supposed to do? If you don’t have access to the VIP or First Class lounges, the thought of that upcoming layover might be plaguing you day and night. Well, it doesn’t have to be [...]
Here’s some fuel for thought: what’s being pumped into the underbellies of the giant jets that fly us around the world? Furthermore, if you’re looking to power up some of your own toys, you might be wondering if you can use it in your car or any other fuel-powered devices. Here’s everything you need to [...]
Usually, a double “F” is a bad thing, but this Grumman FF fighter biplane was a winner if I ever saw one. Between its bulbous, tear drop-shaped body and its nickname “Fifi,” this plane is sure to capture your hearts—if it hasn’t already. Design and Development The Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation was formed in late [...]
When we think of Marilyn Monroe, we think of a seductive superstar of the 1950-60s. We think of Joe DiMaggio. We think of John F. Kennedy. We think of… airplanes? Born Norma Jeane Mortenson, this forever famous actress and model’s career came to be from her time working in an airplane factory. The Rise of [...]
Jumping on a plane to use up some of those vacation days is, in my opinion, always a good idea. However, many people are thinking twice before taking their rightfully earned paid time off. Have you ever gotten weird vibes from a coworker over taking vacation—for using the days you’ve earned? Whether it be weird [...]
This British biplane was designed in the 1920s and led to the design of many similar airplanes. With over 1,000 built, the Hawker Hart was the most widely used light bomber aircraft of its time. Design and Service Sydney Camm designed this plane after the Air Ministry stated a requirement for a high-performance day-bomber with [...]
Perhaps one of the most well-known aviation tragedies, the disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains a mystery today. We wrote briefly about Amelia in our Women in Aviation History post, and we're diving into more of her life and dissapearance here. I mean, how could we not? A Young, Aspiring Aviatrix At a young age, Earhart was [...]
Aerial warfare has evolved a great deal over the years. In its earliest days, it was utilized as a means of observation of the enemy. While aviation has grown a great deal, observation balloons have persisted over time. Military Signaling Lanterns were used prior to balloons as signaling devices. A small candle is lit at [...]
