Plane Tales

The first of a two part tale which examines two bombers from the Second World War, their successes and their loss rates.  This tale is the story of the Boeing B17. Boeing Y1B-17 in flight. (U.S. Air Force photo) Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov.  

An unusual pilot helps to defend the island of Malta during its darkest period. A brave man who excelled at Photo Reconnaissance.       Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov Imperial War Museum.

The race across the Atlantic and those adventurous first aviators who tackled the huge body of water that separates Europe and America.   Charles Lindbergh and his aircraft, The Spirit of St Louis.   Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov and Library of Congress.

Balloons, Air Ships, Dirigibles, Blimps, Aerostats and all things lighter than air. Tethered Aerostat Radar System.       Images under Creative Commons licence from the US Gov Library of Congress and farrider.us.

One of the most amazing aircraft to make it out of the Skunk Works, the SR71 Blackbird.  

Some personal recollections from Air Force service men who took part in D Day.   Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, Crown Copyright.

Some of the lesser known but vital parts played by the Allied Air Forces during the D Day invasion.     Title Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, RAF crown copyright.

The history of the B52 Buff and some of it's more memorable moments. One of two Mk.39 thermonuclear bombs rests in a field in Faro, NC after falling from a disintegrating B-52 bomber.   Boeing B-52D-40-BW (S/N 56-0695). Note the GAM-72 Quail decoy missile and trailer near the nose of the aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo)     Image through Creative Commons licence, US Gov and USAF.

A look at the famous aviators of Pittsburgh prior to the Wings Over Pittsburgh meetup.

The crash of Papa India, a Trident, near Staines.  A disaster which brought to light the need for Crew Resource Management in the cockpit environment. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA   Images under Creative Commons licence by TSRL and Nimbus227.

Capt Nick's final conversation with Andy Anderson, holder of the Legion d'Honneur and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Association.

The second part of Capt Nick's most recent interview with Andy Anderson, holder of the Legion d'Honneur and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Association.

Capt Nick continues his Conversations with Andy Anderson, holder of the Legion d'Honneur and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Association.

July 1967 and USS Forrestal is preparing for a major strike against North Vietnam.  All goes well until a combination of a change in arming procedure, a batch of old unstable bombs and a few loose electrons combine.  The result is devastating for the men of Forrestal.   Images on Creative Commons licence by US Gov and United States Navy.

All commercial pilots just LOVE getting into the simulator!     Title image of a Link Trainer under Creative Commons licence.