Three-quarters of a century ago, in September 1949, the North American Aviation XT-28 chugged into the sky, launching a production run of nearly 1,950 of the big single-engine, tricycle-gear trainers that became air show favorites after their military careers were over.
Skyfest returns to Spokane’s Fairchild Air Force Base
Once every two years the bastion of Fairchild Air Force Base swings open its gates and welcomes the residents of Spokane, Washington, and the Inland Empire to come on base for a weekend of displays and flying known as Skyfest.
Eberhart: Somebody else’s airplanes
Formed in 1918 to make airplane parts, Eberhart gained a U.S. Army Air Service contract to rebuild British S.E. 5A biplane fighters and French SPAD S.XIII biplanes.
Windy and wonderful
A STOL competition, RC flying, civilian and military performers all came together for the 2024 Moses Lake Air Show in Washington.
Plane Panels Part Two
Here’s another installment in “Can you pick a panel for a plane?” in which our Of Wings & Things columnist pairs some grand old Air Force cockpit photos with examples of the aircraft depicted, including the exotic German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.
Notes from an unknown veteran
I look at these snapshots from World War II and I wonder how their owner’s life went in peacetime. Did he pass me on the street, unseen, unrecognized? Did he ever get thanks for his efforts in the war?
Massive Martin Mars migrating to museums
Coulson Aviation recently announced plans to place the air tanker Hawaii Mars in the British Columbia Aviation Museum (BCAM), not far from where the huge seaplanes flew, while Philippine Mars will go to the world-class Pima Air and Space Museum in Tucson, Arizona.
Can you pick a panel for a plane?
Can you look at an instrument panel and tell what airplane it belongs to?
Navy’s factory went small with the SA-1
Designed and manufactured at the Naval Aircraft Factory, the SA-1 was diminutive, simple, and open air, with small wheels complementing wooden landing skids.