The Consolidated PBY Catalina was a World War Two era flying boat used by the Allies for maritime patrol, search and rescue, laying mines and anti-submarine warfare. Between 1936-1945 over 3,300 Catalina’s were manufactured. A number of US Navy squadrons had PBY’s painted in a matt black paint scheme that were specially equipped for night-time operations against Japanese… Read More A Cat among the Pigeons
With the relaxing of the budget, 2014 has seen a limited return to the US air show circuit of military jets including the US Navy Blue Angels display team who fly the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet. I am happy to say I got to see the Blues once again at the Sun ‘n Fun air show in Lakeland,… Read More 2014: The Return of the US Navy Blue Angels
With the relaxing of the budget, 2014 has seen a limited return to the US air show circuit of the military jets including the USAF Thunderbirds display team. I was lucky enough to see them fly twice this year already. Admittedly it was over two days at the Tampa Bay Air Fest in Florida but each day was slightly different and to me it… Read More 2014: The Return of the USAF Thunderbirds
MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida is home to the 6th Air Mobility Wing of the USAF. The wing comprises the 6th Operations Group, 6th Maintenance Group, 6th Mission Support Group and the 6th Medical Group. The base is also home to other units including the United States Central Command, United States Special Operations Command and teams… Read More MacDill Stratotankers
The Lockheed XFV-1 was an experimental VTOL aircraft prototype designed to demonstrate that a fighter could be deployed on convoy ships to provide them with air cover. It would take off and land from a tail sitting position. It was certainly a unique concept! The US Navy ordered the aircraft in 1951 and 2 prototypes were built… Read More Lockheed XFV-1 a failed experiment in VTOL
“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 core mission of the USAF Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk is recovery of military personnel under stressful conditions such as being under direct fire and includes search and rescue. The pilots and crews of these choppers are true heroes. They go into “hot” situations in hell holes like the battlefields of Afghanistan and bring downed pilots… Read More Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk – Aerial Savior
