The legendary Lockheed P-38 Lightning, once known as “White Lightnin'” made a rare and triumphant return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. Now owned by the Flying Bulls from Austria, the beautifully restored World War II fighter dazzled aviation enthusiasts with its striking polished skin and thrilling flight performances.
About Frederick Johnsen
Road Trip: On My Way to Oshkosh
Join one “Plane Nerd” on a cross-country road trip to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. From exploring Cold War jet fighters in Idaho to discovering agricultural drones in Iowa, experience the scenic grandeur and aviation treasures found along the journey to the world’s greatest aviation celebration.
Birthing a Billings Bluebird
Montana’s Tim Talen has breathed life into the extinct Montana Bluebird, a diminutive two-place airplane that made its debut at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.
The Curtiss Kingbird: A Forgotten Twin Engine Airliner
When aviation enthusiasts think of Curtiss aircraft, they rarely remember the Curtiss Kingbird.
Triple Tail Aircraft: Why Classic Airliners Used Three Fins
During the late 1930s and early 1940s, several pioneering airliners like the Boeing Clipper and Lockheed Constellation embraced an unusual design feature: The triple tail. Of Wings & Things columnist Frederick A. Johnsen tells us about the fascinating engineering challenges, aerodynamic secrets, and hangar size limitations that inspired these iconic aviation masterpieces.
Gunfighter Skies: A Flag-Waving Start to Air Show Season in Idaho
The 2026 Idaho air show season officially kicked off at Mountain Home Air Force Base with the patriotic Gunfighter Skies air show.
The Fokker Scourge
With panache, the British press coined the term Fokker Scourge to characterize the era when the Eindeckers were the only warplanes fitted with a synchronizer to enable the fighter’s machine gun to fire through the propeller arc. This revolutionized air-to-air combat.
The Monocoupe’s Overshadowed Sibling
The Monoprep was designed by Donald Luscombe as a side-by-side trainer, offering student pilots a forgiving ride.
Nose-Turreted Liberators: The Rigors of War
With Japanese and German fighter pilots making head-on attacks with closing speeds exceeding 500 mph, B-24s were modified with a manned nose turret.