‘The F-14s dropped while the F/A-18s lased. We egressed the target area having achieved absolutely superb results from direct hits, and there were impressive secondary explosions,’ Bob Brauer, F-14A Tomcat…
After six years of development, the F-22 Raptor made its first flight on September 7, 1997, in Marietta, Georgia After six years of development, the F-22 Raptor made its first…
‘Everything about the A-12 Oxcart program was dark alley, cloak, and dagger. Even the way they financed the operation was highly unconventional,’ Ben Rich, second Director of Lockheed’s Skunk Works…
Only the hottest fuel was transferred to the engines by the SR-71 Blackbird smart valve, while cooler fuel was sent to the avionics and to retract landing gear The Lockheed…
How close did a Blackbird Mach 3 spy plane ever come to being shot down? The famed spy plane SR-71 Blackbird is renowned for holding the official record for the…
‘Because of the cannons, the Ju 87’s maneuverability is disadvantageously reduced, and its landing speed is increased considerably. But now armament potency is a prime consideration over flying performance,’ Hans-Ulrich…
In a sense, Little Boy and Fat Man—as well as other bombs of the same kind—had parachutes. Not a textile one, but a California Parachute is the name given to…
Between the P-51B/C ”Razorback” or the long-ranged P-51D, the P-51B Razorback was faster and flew straighter/smoother with the smooth-back fuselage and still got 1,350 miles of range In 1940, the…
The first British pre-production aircraft was the Panavia Tornado XZ630, which flew on March 14, 1977, and took part in weapons release trials at the A&AEE at Boscombe Down The…
The video shown in this article, which was shot at RAF Fairford at the Royal International Air Tattoo in 2023, features the Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbe jet fighter making its…