Project Tom-Tom

Project Tom-Tom was originated by the United States Air Force’s Strategic Air Command as a way to provide its long range heavy bomber fleets with a fighter umbrella by towing them on semi-fixed wing links. The concept of the MX-1018, the programs official call-sign, was devised from the FICO (Fighter Conveyor) system. A program initiated by the US Air Force in the 1950s to test the feasibility... 

Blackburn B.32 - Big Daddy Never Made It Off The Drawing Board

Many aircraft designs never made it as far as the production stage. But that does not mean that they did not contribute to furthering the development of the industry. Such was the case of the Blackburn B.32 flying boat. Until the late 1940s, many air forces around the world still viewed the flying boat as an instrumental part of their force structure. The same applied to the civilian sector where the... 

Germany’s Air Assault On England - 1914

“Nobody said it will be easy, but I think that this (bombing) campaign can shorten the ground war to a minimum. In fact, there’s a good enough chance that Britain’s public would rise and force its government to the negotiating table”, said a boastful Paul Behncke, Deputy Chief (Konteradmiral) of the German Imperial Navy Staff and one of the most ardent proponents for a saturated... 

Argentinian Air Operations: Guided Missiles

Just days after the American and British forces broke through the German defenses at Normandy, foreshadowing the end of Nazi rule over the European Continent, much of that country’s top technical personnel began to filter out in hopes of escaping the ever closing circle. Most were captured by the Western Allies (United States and Great Britain); others were ‘recruited’ by the Soviet... 

Flying Home Made Machines

Is flying home made machines safe? Just ask Wilbur and Orville Wright. They tried and failed. Then they tried again and again, finally succeeding in getting man in the air (if only briefly) in 1903. Maybe the most famous aviation explorers in American history this team of brothers didn’t let fear stand in their way of success. Still, their journey towards building the very first airplane didn’t... 

A French Pioneer ‘South of the Border’ Part II

As with Argentina, several other South American nations ushered in the aviation age riding the back of the venerable Bleriot Type XI monoplane. Of all the nations that compose the Latin part of the Western Hemisphire, no one has the sheer mass, vast natural resources and commercial capabilities than Brazil. By far, the largest nation in Latin America at the turn of the century, Brazil was just awakening... 

A French Pioneer ‘South of the Border’ Part I

Without a doubt, the Bleriot XI monoplane was one of the most revolutionizing aircraft of the Twentieth Century. Designed and built by the famous French pioneer, Louis Bleriot, it became a staple in the early days of aviation when, with his inventor at the controls, it managed to cross the English Channel on the morning of July 25th 1909. The amazing feat placed Bleriot and France atop of the nascent... 

HALO in the Skies - Britains Attempt at Stealth Technology

The once mighty British Royal Air Force Base at Warton, home to major elements of the British Royal Air Force during World War II, is now a development and testing facility for the BAE System Corporation, the last of Great Britain’s biggest aircraft design and developmental companies. Warton’s runways had been proving ground for some of Britain’s greatest aircrafts of the last four... 

The Incredible B-70 Valkyrie Bomber

The B-70 Valkyrie supersonic heavy bomber was one of the most elegant planes that ever took to the skies. It was not only a remarkable looking aircraft but also the most advanced flying platform of its time. Its elegant design and airborne avionic systems were decades ahead of its peers. Just the sight of a Valkyrie flying sent chills down the collective spines of military leaders in both America and... 

Charles Hamilton - Flying With A Pioneer - Part 2

The last time we saw Charles Hamilton he was tracking down American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss with the hopes of learning the difficult art of flying from one of the masters. Although the pair did not met until October 1909, it was rumored that Curtiss kept a close eye on the flying prodigy, probably because of his association with the New York aviation scene. In November 1909, the duo made its... 

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