The Aichi D3A was a carrier dive bomber primarily used in WWII that played a role in almost every Imperial Japanese Navy mission. The D3A replaced the D1A biplane in the mid-1930s as a faster plane that was able to handle the same tasks. Aichi, Nakajima, and Mitsubishi submitted designs to the Japanese Navy for the [...]
In 1955, the Swedish Air Force (Flygvapnet) introduced the first supersonic plane to Western Europe--the Saab 35 Draken. The highly-adaptable plane was initially produced for interceptive duties and took to the sky for the first time in 1955 before joining the Swedish Air Force in 1960. Saab manufactured 651 of the aircraft between 1955 and 1974. [...]
The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is one of the largest military aircraft in the world--and probably out of this world, too. The Lockheed C-5 Galaxy is the United States Air Force's largest and only strategic airlifter. This gargantuan aircraft can carry more cargo farther than any other aircraft in the world. Additionally, with its payload of six [...]
In 1985, the Cessna Aircraft Company began producing what would become one of the most popular aircraft: the Cessna Caravan. The aircraft's 208 airframe can operate under several different environments because of its ability to be fitted with various landing gear, such as floats or skis. A single Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A turboprop engine [...]
The MiG-21 is flown by over 50 nations and is the most produced supersonic jet fighter. 11,600 MiG-21s were built since entering service in part because its simple design made it easy to manufacture. This plane originates from the Soviet Union and its development began back in the 1950s with a mission to replace the [...]
Today, business and personal flight is the norm—if you’re traveling far, you jump on a jet and get there quickly. But 747s weren’t always around. The first commercial jet was the Learjet 23. These were also the first products of Learjet Corporation. Learjet 23 Design and Development In 1959, William P. Lear Sr. started with [...]
While the Lockheed L-1011 TriStar’s lifetime was incredibly short, it was not without fanfare. This medium-to-long-range, wide-body trijet airliner was the most technologically advanced commercial jet when it was finally delivered in April 1972. Six years of design work and unforeseen setbacks made sure of it. This aircraft’s development was meant to rival the Boeing [...]
As a nimble jet, the L-39 Albatros trains future pilots and prepares them to use heavier, larger planes in the future. Air force units and the military utilize the plane for tactical aircraft, as well as a light ground support fighter. Pilots refer to the plane as an aggressive, agile aircraft with speed and maneuverability. [...]
These Pitts Sure Don't Stink. For a reliable aerobatic biplane, you can't go wrong with a Pitts Special. Design & Development Curtis Pitts designed this series of light, aerobatic biplanes beginning in 1943-1944. He built his first design, the S1, in 1945. Since then, the Pitts Special (and its derivatives) have dominated the world of [...]
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 [...]
