A Brief Look at the United States Defensive Missile Systems from 1945 to 2004 - Part 1

During the years that followed the end of World War II, the Western Democracies, lead by the United States, and the Soviet-lead Eastern Bloc were locked in a political, economical, ideological and sometimes military battle known as the Cold War. In the military arena, both main superpowers, were developing more advanced offensive weapon systems like the long-range bomber and the new intercontinental... 

Air Attack on the German Oil Industry

The swift focus of the Allied bomber campaign against the German’s oil industry had immediate and far-reaching effects, compared with the 175,000 tons of aviation fuel it produced in April 1944. In June of that same year, German oil production fell to just over 55,000 tons, less than a third of the previous years output. Unless something was done, and done very soon, the Luftwaffe could find... 

The Magnificant DH-4B

The extraordinary DH-4B and M model has, among many titles and distinction, being the first American developed fighter to achieve full squadron certification. In essence, the backbone of the nascence United States Army Air Service at a time when America lacked a true dedicated ‘pursuit’ plane. From late 1917 to 1918, this venerable biplane was the best observation-bombing platform in the... 

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... 

The Dreadnaught No. 1

Aviation was in its infancy when the Great War began in August 1914. Still, many historians point towards the ‘War to End All Wars’ as the single, most important event in the transformation of the aircraft from a novelty to a much sough out commodity. No one will look at aviation the same way after 1914. That’s because the antagonist on this cataclysmic period utilized the airplane... 

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... 

FY2010 Air Force Budget: Do more with a lot less

This past summer, the United States’ President, Barack Obama sent to Congress his proposal for the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization Bill. As anticipated, the new Bill is full of deep cuts across all four branches of the military. A plethora of weapon system programs were slashed almost in half. Others, weren’t so lucky as twenty-two current projects were officially terminated. Hardest... 

The A-5 Fantan: The Low Priced Ground Attack Aircraft

The Nanchange A-5, code named “Fantan” by NATO, gave the Peoples Republic of China an effective, low cost supersonic strike aircraft. A step that helped China demonstrate to the world their ability to alter and improve an existing aircraft platform. The Fantan is based on the 1950’s MiG-19 airframe. During the late 1950s, the Chinese military leaders identified the need to field a... 

The Incredible M-4: The Birth of the Bison

After spending almost a decade ‘outside’ the bomber design business, Vladimir Myasishchev officially returned with a bang in the mid 1940’s. By early 1950, one of the most prolific Soviet aircraft designers of all time, in collaboration with GN Nazarov from Experimenta Design Bureau (OKB) # 22 and the Central Aerohydrodynamic Institute (TsAGI), commenced a full, state-funded study... 

The Blackburn Baffin

The Blackburn Baffin’s design was directly influenced by the early versions of the Ripon torpedo/bomber platform. But unlike the underpowered Ripon, the Baffin B-5, as the aircraft was marked, was sufficiently equipped for its proposing operational role. Inspired by alterations performed on Ripons in Finland, Major FA Bumpus, the chief designer of the B-5; decided to incorporate into the new... 

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