Part One: The British breakthrough that didn’t There are a lot of ways to end a sentence that begins “If it weren’t for the Rolls-Royce Merlin…” In fact, it would be a fun parlour game next time the avgeeks got together. If it weren’t for the Rolls-Royce Merlin… the Cromwell tank would have been a tin pillbox could be one slightly off-piste option. But I … Continue reading The Merlin Mustang
One of the few responsibilities that are attached to my membership of the South Australian Aviation Museum (SAAM) is an “obligation” to help out on the front desk about once a quarter. Behind the scenes I say “obligation” in quotes because it is hardly a chore. Desk duty involves setting up, greeting visitors and processing their payments, then closing up afterwards. There are generally three … Continue reading On the front line
As the western world heaved itself up from the trauma of World War II, the future must have seemed as bright as a new-polished silver cup. True, nearly anything would be brighter than the six years of horror and heartbreak that had come before, but the world at large was far richer for the industry and innovation that had been marshalled to beat back the … Continue reading Screaming Jets
Back in the days when aircraft designers used slide rules and genius, one of Britain’s best sat down to address the widening gap between his country’s front-line fighters and those of her arch-rival Germany. As a private venture project, he was free to pour everything he knew about air fighting and aerodynamics into his design. From its radically streamlined fuselage to its elegantly curved wing, … Continue reading The fighter project
Under the skin These days, 3D CAD and sophisticated rendering tools mean creating images that aren’t rooted in reality is a breeze. For most commercial applications, it’s the norm. For example, I follow developments in electric aviation fairly actively, and the fact that last night’s beer coaster brainwave can be a fully rendered, photo-realistic artefact by lunchtime is clearly a real bonus for entrepreneurs, founders … Continue reading Cutaways
In 1963, the CIA and US Navy began working together to adapt the Lockheed U-2 spy plane for carrier operations. This is the story of bringing the US’s most difficult aircraft to land to aviation’s most difficult landing. Continue reading Trapping the Dragon Lady
The story of C-54 Skymaster production at the Douglas Chicago factory is extraordinary in itself. But how they produced their very first aircraft – and how – quickly is simply next-level. Continue reading War comes to Chicago
Enter the mind of a WW2 Japanese volunteer suicide pilot… This is the extraordinary diary of Masa’aki Saeki, trainee Yokosuka MXY-7/K-1 Ohka pilot, 721st Kōkūtai Jinrai Butai, Imperial Japanese Navy. Translated by Nicholas Voge. Continue reading 1. Finally, we depart for Kashima
What It Takes to Pull Formation Gsat World Championship Level Written by Monica Kade Flying is an unexpected romance, one that many have come to know intimately in their own way. It seems to choose the individual, rather than the other way around, and it’s a feeling that’s hard to shake from the soul. Those who love it, live and breathe it—and a select few, … Continue reading Extra Manoeuvers
William Ewart Hart It’s fair to say that most of Australia’s early aviation history happened during and immediately after the Great War… Most. But not all. There were a handful of Australians who caught the flying bug early and gave it full rein right here. And one of the most important was Paramatta dentist William Ewart Hart – holder of Australian Aviator’s Licence No. 1. … Continue reading Pilot No.1
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