The Bell P-63 Kingcobra first flew in December 1942 and was the successor to the Bell P-39 Airacobra. The Kingcobra featured significant improvements in design and performance but visually the most notable difference is the larger airframe and tail fin, along with the big four bladed propeller. The Bell P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra both… Read More The Bell P-63 Kingcobra – All Hail The King!
This years FHC Skyfair was another great one. This was the third annual air and ground show put on by the Flying Heritage Collection at Paine Field in Everett, Washington (my second attendance having gone to the first in 2014). This years theme was to commemorate the upcoming 75 years since the beginning of the Pacific War in December… Read More FHC Skyfair 2016
A great flying demonstration by the Commemorative Air Force Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat was conducted at the Planes of Fame Airshow 2015. The story of the Bearcat, a former US Navy fighter is an interesting one in aviation history. Designed to counter any aircraft the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy may put into service, the Grumman F8F Bearcat was… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Grumman F8F Bearcat
CAF AirPower History Tour 2015 The Commemorative Air Force AirPower History Tour featuring the World War Two era Boeing B-29 Superfortress Fifi bomber, North American P-51D Mustang Man O’ War fighter, Beech C-45 Expeditor Bucket of Bolts light transport, Fairchild PT-19 trainer and North American T-6 Texan / Navy SNJ trainers were hosted at the Van Nuys… Read More CAF AirPower History Tour 2015: An Afternoon With Fifi
“Texas Raiders” operated by the Commemorative Air Force – Gulf Coast Wing is regarded as one of the best restored Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress bombers still flying today. Restored to World War Two configuration this 1945 era bomber is a magnificent machine and I was lucky enough to see her take to the sky recently at the 2014 Sun… Read More “Texas Raiders” B-17G Flying Fortress
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a long-range four engine heavy bomber introduced into service in 1944 with sophisticated features including a pressurized cabin and remote-controlled gun turrets. The B-29 was used with devastating effect by the United States Army Air Force against the Japanese in the Pacific theatre of World War Two (this was the aircraft that basically ended the war in 1945 by dropping… Read More “Enola Gay”, “Bockscar” & “Fifi” – Famous B-29’s
In September 2012 I headed to Sacramento to go to the California Capital Air Show. Held at Mathers Airport each year, the air show attracts big crowds to see a great collection of historical and modern-day aircraft from military, law enforcement, commercial and private operators. I went on the Saturday and the weather was perfect – warm with clear blue skies. Great for… Read More California Capital Air Show 2012
Aces Flying High 