Monthly Archives: March 2010

Lockheed P-38 Lightning, Fork Tail Devil

Lockheed manufactured over 5,000 P-38s during the war years. By: Norm Goyer Every war has had at least one aircraft which is most recognizable. World War I had the Fokker Triplane and World War II had the Vought Corsair and … Continue reading

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Early Lockheed Aircraft, Future Home of the Skunk Works

By:Norm Goyer Even before the outstanding achievements of Lockheed’s design group, who brought us such famous aircraft as the U-2, SR-71 Blackbird, F-104 Missile with-a-man-in-it, even to the current F-35 VTOL fighter, Lockheed was one of a very few benchmark … Continue reading

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Douglas AD-1 Skyraider

The Douglas AD-1 was used extensively during the Korean and Vietnam wars. By:       Norm Goyer Last week we talked about the great Douglas DC-3 and its achievements over many decades. Another landmark Douglas war bird was the Douglas A-1 Skyraider; … Continue reading

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A Rap on Dive Bombers

By:       Norm Goyer I have always been fascinated by dive bombers; they were born for lack of aiming technology and were eliminated by emerging aiming technology. Between the wars, there were crude attempts at dive bombing with make shift aircraft, … Continue reading

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Douglas DC-3/C-47 AKA “Gooney Bird”

This Douglas DC-3 is  being operated in Sweden. The plane was sold around the world, with many still in daily service. By: Norm Goyer One of the most easily recognized twin engine airplanes of all times, is the 1936 Douglas … Continue reading

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Douglas Aircraft, the Early Years

By: Norm Goyer Douglas Aircraft is a true Southern California Company, like Lockheed, Consolidated, Vultee, North American, Ryan and many others, not so well known. The O-46 was one of a series of high-wing, parasol, observation aircraft built by Douglas … Continue reading

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The Boeing/Stearman PT-17 Primary Trainer of the Aces

Boeing’s early biplane building experience paid off with the Boeing/Stearman PT-17. Over 10,000 were built for military primary pilot training. By: Norm Goyer Boeing never built many aircraft that could be described as General Aviation sport aircraft. The closest would … Continue reading

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Boeing, Aviation Pioneer, the Early Years

By:    Norm Goyer When the average person thinks of Boeing the thoughts turn to airliners, fantastic aircraft seem to keep coming out of the factory almost every year. Folks who remember World War II, will never forget the Boeing B-17 … Continue reading

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Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

The most widely used FAC aircraft during Vietnam was the Cessna O-1/L-19 Bird Dog. It used many elements of the civilian Cessna 170. It also saw service in Vietnam. By:       Norm Goyer When the US Army Air Corps became the … Continue reading

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FACs During Korea and Vietnam Wars Pt. II

By:       Norm Goyer When the Korean conflict started our new Air Force was in transition from prop driven aircraft to the new jet powered warbirds. Helicopters were also becoming more operational during this time. Remember the great scene in the … Continue reading

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