Plane Tales

9/11 had devastating consequences but for those who were trying to get home, into the closed airspace of the United States, their diversions to unexpected destinations opened their eyes to the generosity of strangers.     Images under Creative Commons licence, Wally Gobetz and CFB Gander.

The Nazi Germans in the Netherlands were using starvation as retribution and air drops were the only way to save thousands.  The RAF and American bomber crews provide the solution.        

By for the most successful vertical take off fighter ever built.  The Harrier was a technological success for Hawker Siddeley that produced a fast jet fighter that could land on a runway and in a ploughed field!         Images under Creative Commons licence by Alan Wilson and Anthony Noble.

An eclipse of the sun moves over the earth at an incredible speed and no aircraft could possibly keep up with the shadow it casts whilst carrying a whole team of expert observers... except perhaps one!       Images through Creative Commons licence, Sunil Gupta, Natarajanganesan and André Cros.

America is keeping the Second World War at arms length whilst a Pan Am Clipper is wending its way from San Francisco down to Auckland in New Zealand. What happens next is a remarkable achievement for a civilian airliner but it remains an almost unknown story.

The tragic death of a friend leads to a life saving technology that has saved so many pilots.  Martin Baker.     Images through Creative Commons licence, StromBer and US Gov US Navy.

A faulty jet engine combustor leads to a tragic disaster but much is learned from the Manchester air disaster.   Images through Creative Commons licence, UK Gov Crown copyright.

In aviation we use a bewildering array of measurements, enough to confuse, baffle and discombobulate the average pilot.

The second of a two part tale which examines two bombers from the Second World War, their successes and their loss rates.  This tale is the story of the de Havilland Mosquito.       Images under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, Crown copyright.

The first of a two part tale which examines two bombers from the Second World War, their successes and their loss rates.  This tale is the story of the Boeing B17. Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov.  

An unusual pilot helps to defend the island of Malta during its darkest period. A brave man who excelled at Photo Reconnaissance.       Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov Imperial War Museum.

The race across the Atlantic and those adventurous first aviators who tackled the huge body of water that separates Europe and America.     Images under Creative Commons licence, US Gov and Library of Congress.

Balloons, Air Ships, Dirigibles, Blimps, Aerostats and all things lighter than air.       Images under Creative Commons licence from the US Gov Library of Congress and farrider.us.

One of the most amazing aircraft to make it out of the Skunk Works, the SR71 Blackbird.  

Some personal recollections from Air Force service men who took part in D Day.   Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, Crown Copyright.

Some of the lesser known but vital parts played by the Allied Air Forces during the D Day invasion.     Title Image under Creative Commons licence, UK Gov, RAF crown copyright.

The history of the B52 Buff and some of it's more memorable moments.       Image through Creative Commons licence, US Gov and USAF.

A look at the famous aviators of Pittsburgh prior to the Wings Over Pittsburgh meetup.

The crash of Papa India, a Trident, near Staines.  A disaster which brought to light the need for Crew Resource Management in the cockpit environment.   Images under Creative Commons licence by TSRL and Nimbus227.

Capt Nick's final conversation with Andy Anderson, holder of the Legion d'Honneur and Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Association.