News
The Battle of Midway and the Debut of the Thach Weave
22+ hour, 32+ min ago (1569+ words) During the Battle of Midway, U. S. Navy pilots introduced the Thach Weave, a defensive tactic designed to counter the agility of the Japanese Zero. Developed by Jimmy Thach, the maneuver proved effective in combat and went on to shape fighter tactics…...
Boneyard Files: Grumman F-9 F Cougar - The Swept Wing Panther in the Arizona Sand
1+ day, 15+ hour ago (68+ words) Developed in the early 1950s as a swept-wing evolution of the F9 F Panther, the Grumman F-9 F Cougar became the US Navy's first swept-wing carrier fighter. Built to counter fast Soviet Mi G-15s, the Cougar served as a fighter, attack aircraft, reconnaissance platform,…...
Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mooney M-18 Mite
22+ hour, 14+ min ago (72+ words) The Mooney M-18 Mite first flew on May 17, 1947, as a low-cost, single-seat general aviation aircraft designed by Al Mooney. Inspired by WWII fighter styling, the Mite featured retractable landing gear, efficient construction, and performance that helped shape Mooney's later aircraft designs....
CAF Airbase Georgia Hosts First Aviation Career Day for Coweta County Students
21+ hour, 14+ min ago (343+ words) Vintage Aviation News The CAF Airbase Georgia, Peachtree City, GA, recently held its first Aviation Career Day, bringing students from the Coweta County Education Center to its facilities for a closer look at different paths within the aviation industry. A…...
CAF New England Wing Adds Hiller UH-12 A Helicopter to Its Collection
1+ day, 21+ hour ago (414+ words) Vintage Aviation News The CAF New England Wing, North Hampton, NH, has added a Hiller UH-12 A helicopter to its collection following its donation in April 2026. The aircraft, now registered as N4977 E, is currently being prepared for display and future…...
TOP GUN at 40: Inside the Making of an Aviation Icon
2+ day, 1+ hour ago (1874+ words) On May 16, 1986, the Paramount film TOP GUN was released in theaters across the United States. Forty years later, Stephen Chapis revisits the iconic film through the lens of naval aviation history, drawing on conversations with Dave "Bio" Baranek and Lieutenant…...
Vulcan to the Sky Trust April Update: Progress Continues on XH558 and Future Plans
1+ day, 23+ hour ago (389+ words) Vintage Aviation News The Vulcan to the Sky Trust, Doncaster, UK, has shared an update on its work through April, covering ongoing efforts around Avro Vulcan XH558 and Avro Vulcan WK163, along with developments in its education programs. The trust said the…...
Aces of the Great War: Frederick Mc Call - The Maverick of No. 41 Squadron
2+ day, 16+ hour ago (573+ words) Aces of the Great War: Frederick Mc Call " The Maverick of No. 41 Squadron Vintage Aviation News In WWI, many Canadian aces fought in France, and one of them was Frederick Mc Call. Born on December 4, 1896, in Vernon, British Columbia, Mc…...
Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Miles M. 100 Student
2+ day, 22+ hour ago (49+ words) The Miles M. 100 Student first flew on May 15, 1957, as a privately developed two-seat jet trainer from F. G. and G. H. Miles. Despite its compact design and later counter-insurgency conversion, the aircraft lost out to the Jet Provost and remained a one-off prototype....
Vulcan to the Sky Trust Adds June Date for XH558 Engine Ground Run Experience
2+ day, 21+ hour ago (43+ words) The Vulcan to the Sky Trust has expanded its 2026 XH558 Engine Ground Run Experience schedule with a new June date. Visitors will be able to experience live Olympus engine runs, aircraft system demonstrations, and close-up access to the iconic Vulcan bomber....