Two years before WWII ended, the military re-purposed the PB4Y-1 Liberator into a Navy PB4Y-2. The U.S. Army Air Corp originally designed the plane for their use; however, the plane did so well in maritime patrol that engineers transformed it into a long-range patrol bomber. Naval officers initially called the plane the Sea Liberator, but [...]
When we think of radiation, we think scary. We think of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster. We think of the Chernobyl disaster and radioactive boars running around Europe. Or we think of cancer—fatigue and hair loss. Do you think of bananas? Doubtful. Do you think of flying? Probably not. But there are doses of radiation thanks [...]
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 [...]
When the United States Army Air Forces wanted an operational jet fighter of their own, the War Department's wish was Kelly Johnson's command. They sure wished upon this shooting star. The Lockheed P-80 was the first jet fighter used operationally by the USAAF. The aircraft was designed and built by Lockheed in [...]
The International Paris Air Show began on June 19 and will continue until June 26. The International Exhibition of Aeronautics and Space (SIAE) host the event, and it is the 52nd edition of the largest and longest-running aerospace trade show in the world. The show is held every odd year and welcomes the latest in [...]
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 [...]
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is one of the most famous bombers from WWII and the most produced heavy bomber in history. With over 19,000 built, this American heavy bomber gained an esteemed record during the war as the response to a need for more Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses. Design and Development The B-24 was created [...]
Did a killer unintentionally change the course of aviation history as we know it? In 2015, famed historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author David McCullough released a new book, “The Wright Brothers.” Early in his text, he recounts an event that ultimately changed the course of Wilbur’s life—and arguably the history of aviation as we know [...]
Utopia: a place of ideal perfection. Tall, bright buildings between smooth highways surrounded by green grass. Driverless cars making seamless lane changes. Computers performing jobs better than humans ever could. Appealing as this may sound, real life is a bit more… messy. Pilotless planes seem like something taken out of a Utopian society that will [...]
Technology and budget made building the JetStar a challenge. In the 1950s, aeronautical engineer Kelly Johnson designed the Lockheed JetStar. The design was originally produced for the US Air Force, but it was eventually used for business. Four Pratt & Whitney JT12A6 turbojets powered the aircraft with a swept wing and cruciform tail. Inflatable rubber deicing [...]
