Plane Tales

The DH Comet was the first jet airliner and was going to be a world beater until there were unexplained and sudden losses.  The investigation that followed opened the eyes of the entire industry to the dangers of aircraft pressurisation and metal fatigue.   An enormous water tank was erected test the fuselage during repeated pressurisation runs.   The fuselage of G-AYLP which broke up in mid air.   Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to UK Gov, Imperial War Museum and Krelnik.

An opportunity to set the record straight about Japanese suicide missions in the final days of the Second World war   Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov.

The Fairey Swordfish.  In a war of high speed monoplanes, a biplane from a previous generation of combat aircraft could hardly change the face of the Second World War... could it?         Title image under Creative Commons licence by Beadell, S J (Lt), Royal Navy official photographer.

The C-130 Hercules; the longest continuously produced military aircraft in history! An early version of the C130 lands at Kham Duc during the Vietnam war.   A C130 lands aboard USS Forrestal during trials.   C130 captures a satellite payload after reentry.   The Blue Angels C130 demonstrates a JATO takeoff.   The Hercules... a perfect all terrain work horse.     Images through the Creative Commons licence from US Gov.

The 1958 Munich plane disaster which decimated the Manchester football team and a look at some other sporting aviation tragedies.

A nostalgic look back at the aircraft that Capt Nick flew. Capt Anderson the First.   The Slingsby T31 (flying brick) glider.   The ubiquitous Cessna 150A trainer.   The Jet Provost T Mk3.   The slightly pointier Jet Provost T Mk5.   The very pointy Folland Gnat.   The wonderful Hawker Hunter.   The mighty F4 Phantom II.   Yawn, the BAe Hawk T1.   The Ozy McDonnell Douglas F/A18.   Another yawn, the BAe Tornado F3.

In the aftermath of the Second World War, Russia attempts to take control of Berlin by cutting off access to the West but an audacious plan to supply the beleaguered city from the air is mounted.  One special American pilot becomes famous amongst the people of Berlin.   "OPERATION VITTLES" (Berlin Airlift)Berlin youngsters who live near the Tempelhof Air Force Base, where the U.S. Air Force transport planes unload their airlift supplies, play at a game called "Luftbrucke" (air bridge). They use model American planes which are sold in German toy shops throughout the western sector of Berlin.   Images under Creative Commons licence by US Gov, National Museum of the USAF.

Fundamental errors in dealing with the dangers of winter operations brings a B737 down into the Potomac river, just after take off from Washington National airport.  An apaling accident which was compounded by a poorly organised rescue which occured in the full blaze of publicity. An Air Florida Boeing B737.   The flight path of Flight 90 taken from the NTSB report.     Images under Creative Commons licence by Peter Duijnmayer, the US Gov NTSB and the Washington Post

February 1956 and the RAF is proud of it's fine new jet fighter, the Hawker Hunter.  Of course the occasional loss is to be expected but this day's work ends up with questions being asked in Parliament and a surprise for the people of Swaffham!     Images under Creative Commons licence, by Alan Wilson and UK Gov OS.

A hijacking of an Air France A300 ends up in Uganda which is ruled by the despot Idi Amin.  The Israeli Commandos mount a rescue that stuns the world.   The survivors disembark at Ben Gurion airport.     Images under Creative Commons licence by SRA Andy Dunaway - DefenseImagery.mil and the Government Press Office (Israel).

How something small and insignificant distracted a crew to the point of disaster.  The story of Flight 401. The flight path of Flight 401 recreated for the NTSB accident report.   Images under Creative Commons licence by Jon Proctor and US Gov NTSB.    

For most of the holidays around Christmas are a time to enjoy and celebrate but during the World Wars the fighting never stopped.  This is the story of three brave pilots, each holding their countries highest awards for valour and each killed during Christmas in pursuit of the same aims, victory. The Victoria Cross.   The Air Force Medal of Honor.   The Knight's Cross.   Images under Creative Commons licence, Crown Copyright Commonwealth War Graves Commission,

To survive falling thousands of feet from a disintegrating airliner is a remarkable feat but that was just the start of the story! A similar Lockheed Electra L-749 to LANSA flight 501.   Title image under Creative Commons licence by Trotterjt.

At Kitty Hawk the Wright Brothers take their first hops into the air but elsewhere in the world others were striving to be first!     Image under Creative Commons licence by W. B. Robinson.

US Pilots Fly in the Eagle Squadrons During WW II