Aviation History Magazine

An Ingenious Blend of Airplane and Helicopter - the Fairey Rotodyne

The Fairey Rotodyne was a unique aircraft whose time just never quite came.

An Ingenious Blend of Airplane and Helicopter - the Fairey Rotodyne An ingenious blend of airplane and helicopter features, the Fairey Rotodyne was a case of almost--but not quite enough.

During the Golden Age of Air Travel, These Posters Let You Fly Around the World Without Leaving the Ground

Who could resist these tantalizing glimpses of exotic locales?

During the Golden Age of Air Travel, These Posters Let You Fly Around the World Without Leaving the Ground Who could resist these tantalizing glimpses of exotic locales?

The Rise of the Superbombers

The development of a modern intercontinental strategic bomber proved to be as much about politics as the performance of the aircraft.

The Rise of the Superbombers The U.S. military was convinced in 1941 that an intercontinental bomber was desperately needed.

Barling Bomber

A "Magnificent Leviathan," The U.S. Army's first strategic bomber was a bold step, that ended as a misstep.

Barling Bomber Cost overruns and poor performance doomed the experimental strategic bomber, but it helped point the way to the future. To some it was the “Magnificent

Twin Yak Aerobat: The 'Yak-110'

Spring is here and airshow season isn't far away. Where are you going to see your favorite aircraft show their stuff?

Twin Yak Aerobat: The 'Yak-110' Both cockpits are fully operational, and the Yak-110 has been extensively test-flown, including a full range of conventional aerobatic maneuvers.

Britain’s ‘Bloody Paralyzer’

became the prototype for todays strategic heavy bomber.

Britain’s ‘Bloody Paralyzer’ The first really large bombers to be produced in substantial numbers and employed in massed formations in a coordinated strategic offensive, the Handley Page O/100 and O/400 set the basic layout for both British and American bomber design.

How Quick Thinking Saved the First Airliner to Break the Sound Barrier

In August 1961 a crew of Douglas Aircraft test pilots proved the new DC-8’s worth by diving it through the speed of sound.

How Quick Thinking Saved the First Airliner to Break the Sound Barrier In August 1961 a crew of Douglas Aircraft test pilots proved the new DC-8’s worth by diving it through the speed of sound

Amazing But True Aviation Stories

We all have a couple of tall tales to tell. Here are a few of ours, let us hear a few of yours!

Amazing But True Aviation Stories These 10 aviation tales prove that sometimes truth really is stranger than fiction.

The First Coup: President Diem's Own Paratroopers Attempted to Overthrow His Regime

South Vietnamese paratroopers attacked the presidential palace to remove the corrupt regime.

The First Coup: President Diem's Own Paratroopers Attempted to Overthrow His Regime South Vietnamese paratroopers attacked the presidential palace to remove the corrupt regime.

Northrop's Radical Flying Wing Bomber of the 1940s

Jack Northrop dreamed big with his futuristic flying wing, but the radical bomber proved too great a technological leap for his company to bridge.

Northrop's Radical Flying Wing Bomber of the 1940s Jack Northrop dreamed big with his futuristic flying wing, but the radical bomber proved too great a technological leap for his company to bridge.

A Kamikaze Who Lived to Tell the Tale

Unlikely as it may seem, a number of Japanese kamikaze pilots did survive the war.

A Kamikaze Who Lived to Tell the Tale A few years ago, when I was making a BBC TV documentary series about the Japanese and World War II, I mentioned to a colleague that I was leaving for

Call Her Connie: The Legendary Lockheed Constellation

The Lockheed Constellation may be the object of more misinformation and fables than any other airliner ever made.

Call Her Connie: The Legendary Lockheed Constellation The Lockheed Constellation may be the object of more misinformation and fables than any other airliner ever made. Stephan Wilkinson sorts out fact from fiction in this Aviation History magazine article.

Northrop’s Norwegian Floatplane Faced the N**i Invasion

While only 24 aircraft were ever built they performed yeoman like work in Scandinavian waters.

Northrop’s Norwegian Floatplane Faced the N**i Invasion Built to defend Norway’s fjords, the N-3PB ended up flying maritime missions out of Iceland after the N**i invasion.

The True Story of 'Wrong-Way' Corrigan's Atlantic Adventure

Douglas Groce Corrigan was going to get to Dublin no matter what.

The True Story of 'Wrong-Way' Corrigan's Atlantic Adventure Douglas Corrigan had long dreamed of being the first man to fly nonstop from New York to Dublin. When officials denied him permission for a transoceanic attempt, he was determined not to let red tape get in his way.

Secrets Behind the Surprising Rise of Drones

From inauspicious biplane beginnings to near mastery of the skies above combat zones, UAVs have a rich history.

Secrets Behind the Surprising Rise of Drones From inauspicious biplane beginnings to near mastery of the skies above combat zones, UAVs have a rich history.

Why Pilots Loved the F-105 'Thud' Despite its Vulnerability

The "Thud" saw more action than any of the other Century Series fighters.

Why Pilots Loved the F-105 'Thud' Despite its Vulnerability A fast mover designed to carry a nuclear weapon, the F-105 Thunderchief became the Vietnam War’s most important conventional fighter-bomber.

Beyond the Norm: Japan's Failed Cutting-Edge Floatplane

This sleek Japanese floatplane was cutting edge, but the sleek floatplane never lived up to its advanced design.

Beyond the Norm: Japan's Failed Cutting-Edge Floatplane The Kawanishi E15K incorporated a variety of advanced features in an aircraft type that was on its way out.

Flight of the Polar Eagle: Journey to the North Pole

In 1897 three Swedish aeronauts set out for the North Pole in a balloon, only to disappear in the vast Arctic. Their fate would remain a mystery for 33 years.

Flight of the Polar Eagle: Journey to the North Pole In 1897 three Swedish aeronauts set out for the North Pole in a balloon, only to disappear in the vast Arctic. Their fate would remain a mystery for 33 years

This Cigarette Lighter has a Tragic Origin Story

It was made from the spark plug of a Nieuport 28.

This Cigarette Lighter has a Tragic Origin Story It was made from the spark plug of a Nieuport 28.

It Was the Most Powerful Engine Ever Created. Rocketdyne Engineers Just Had to Ensure It Didn't Blow Up.

The F-1 was a vast leap forward in size and power from anything before it. But it was unstable. Engineers' solution? Put a bomb inside it.

It Was the Most Powerful Engine Ever Created. Rocketdyne Engineers Just Had to Ensure It Didn't Blow Up. The F-1 was a vast leap forward in size and power from anything before it. But it was unstable. Engineers' solution? Put a bomb inside it.

Army and Navy Pilots Joined Together in a Day of Duels Over Vietnam

These aerial skirmishes were just a prelude to the all-out bombing campaign called Operation Linebacker. It began in earnest on May 10, 1972, with both sides committing all their air assets in a sprawling succession of aerial duels.

Army and Navy Pilots Joined Together in a Day of Duels Over Vietnam U.S. and North Vietnamese aces clashed on May 10, 1972

Why Willard Custer’s Unique Channel Wing Never Took off

has a shape all its own

Why Willard Custer’s Unique Channel Wing Never Took off The inventor knew only frustration and failure, but his unusual wing design might yet succeed.

This French Aviation Pioneer Pushed the Boundaries of Flight… Before it Killed Him

This pioneering aviator died as he lived — flying.

This French Aviation Pioneer Pushed the Boundaries of Flight… Before it Killed Him This pioneering aviator died as he lived — flying.

Before Gene Roddenberry Created Star Trek, He Cheated Death in WWII

As a B-17 pilot, Gene Roddenberry survived tropical storms, flak and crash that tore his plane apart and left two dead.

Before Gene Roddenberry Created Star Trek, He Cheated Death in WWII As a B-17 pilot, Gene Roddenberry survived tropical storms, flak and crash that tore his plane apart and left two dead.

XF-84H: 'Thunderscreech!' The Loudest Airplane Ever Built

July 22, 1955
The extremely loud XF-84 flies for the first time at Edwards AFB. After only one flight in the aircraft, one of the three pilots to fly the plane was quoted as saying "You aren't big enough and there aren't enough of you to get me in that thing again"

XF-84H: 'Thunderscreech!' The Loudest Airplane Ever Built The Republic XF-84H turboprop was so loud that ground crews were physically sickened by its noise.

The Best Movies About Aviation—and the Worst, Too | HistoryNet

Airplane and motion pictures were born around the same time, and feel like a natural pair. Here, the best movies about aviation and flying—and the worst.

The Best Movies About Aviation—and the Worst, Too | HistoryNet Airplane and motion pictures were born around the same time, and feel like a natural pair. Here, the best movies about aviation and flying—and the worst.

The Soviets' Giant Intercontinental Turboprop Airliner

Developed from the Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bomber, the Tu-114 Rossiya airliner set records as the world’s fastest turboprop aircraft.

The Soviets' Giant Intercontinental Turboprop Airliner Developed from the Tupolev Tu-95 “Bear” strategic bomber, the Tu-114 Rossiya airliner set records as the world’s fastest turboprop aircraft.

What Happened to the Two Canadian Aviators of Lancaster L7576?

Their Lancaster was supposed to be a lucky airplane. Luck can run out.

What Happened to the Two Canadian Aviators of Lancaster L7576? Their Lancaster was supposed to be a lucky airplane. Luck can run out.

This 'Advanced' EDO Floatplane Wasn't

The EDO company was known for their "floats" but the Navy just didn't like the "cut of its jib"

This 'Advanced' EDO Floatplane Wasn't Technical advancements in design couldn't keep this EDO floatplane from replacing the U.S. Navy's existing fleet of scout planes

Percival Spencer’s Air Car: Everyman’s Amphibian

During the Great Depression Percival Spencer wanted to bring an amphibious airplane to the average American. His ideas are still on the water today.

Percival Spencer’s Air Car: Everyman’s Amphibian Percival Spencer’s 1941 Air Car design formed the template for two generations of amphibious lightplanes. For ordinary Americans living through the Great

February 11, 1939
After losing both engines due to icing, the Lockheed XP-38 Lightning prototype crash lands on the Cold Stream Golf Course while on approach to Mitchel Field, Long Island. The fighter was finishing a cross-country speed flight. Test pilot Ben Kelsey survives. Attempts by authorities to shield the "secret" design from local photographers fails miserably.

Fire in the Skies, Ceasefire on the Ground

On August 15, 1945, U.S. Navy aviators fought right to the limit.

Fire in the Skies, Ceasefire on the Ground On August 15, 1945, U.S. Navy aviators fought right to the limit.

This Polish Monoplane Wasn't as Bad as You Might Think

What the PZL P.11 lacked in speed and armament it almost made up for with maneuverability.

This Polish Monoplane Wasn't as Bad as You Might Think What the PZL P.11 lacked in speed and armament it almost made up for with maneuverability.

Japan’s Floatplane Dive Bomber

A dive bombing floatplane?

Japan’s Floatplane Dive Bomber Built with more than fleet reconnaissance in mind, the Aichi E16A1 floatplane came equipped with dive brakes.

How “Hundred Takes Hughes” Got His Nickname

Millionaire movie mogul Howard Hughes overcame daunting production problems to shoot some of the most memorable air combat sequences ever captured on film.

How “Hundred Takes Hughes” Got His Nickname Millionaire movie mogul Howard Hughes overcame daunting production problems to shoot some of the most memorable air combat sequences ever captured on film.

March 13, 1928
Eighteen year old Eileen Vollick, passes her private pilot’s License (the Government Civil Aviation examination) and is granted Certificate No. 77. It makes her the first licensed female pilot in Canada.

What Made This First Homebuilt Airplane So Dangerous?

History’s first homebuilt entrepreneur named his aircraft after an insect.

What Made This First Homebuilt Airplane So Dangerous? History’s first homebuilt entrepreneur named his aircraft after an insect.

Able Dog: Was the AD Skyraider the Best Attack Bomber Ever Built?

The Douglas AD Skyraider wasn't pretty, but its pilots and maintenance crews dubbed it the Able Dog because of its handling and dependability. Some still regard it as "the best airplane ever made for close-in attack."

Able Dog: Was the AD Skyraider the Best Attack Bomber Ever Built? The Douglas AD Skyraider wasn't pretty, but its pilots and maintenance crews dubbed it the Able Dog because of its handling and dependability. Some still regard it as "the best airplane ever made for close-in attack."

Voyager's Nonstop Around-the-World Adventure

On a flight fraught with peril, two pilots circumnavigated the globe in a spindly twin-boom airplane with only the fuel they carried.

Voyager's Nonstop Around-the-World Adventure On a flight fraught with peril, two pilots circumnavigated the globe in a spindly twin-boom airplane with only the fuel they carried.

Forgotten First Flight Across the South Atlantic

It took three floatplanes and 79 days, but a pair of Portuguese airmen succeeded in crossing the South Atlantic by air five years before Lindbergh’s famous flight.

Forgotten First Flight Across the South Atlantic It took three floatplanes and 79 days, but a pair of Portuguese airmen succeeded in crossing the South Atlantic by air five years before Lindbergh’s famous flight