Aviation History

A photograph of Ruth Rowland Nichols (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale 12430–1)

Ruth Rowland Nichols American Aviation Pioneer

Ruth Rowland Nichols, aviatrix extraordinaire, set a number of world records in the eary 1900s which remain to this day. Discover the fascinating life of this lovely aviatrix.

October 5, 1914 First Aerial Combat Victory

The Start of the Age of Aerial Combat

On the 5th of October, 1914, the first air to air dog fight occurred between a French Voisin III aircraft and a German Aviatik B.II aircraft. The air battle took place over France during World War...

Albert Scott Crossfield, Jr., Aeronautical Engineer and Test Pilot, 1921–2006.

The Death Dodger Pilot

This is the story of The Death Dodger Pilot, A. Scott Crossfield Jr. He became the first man to fly an airplane at twice the speed of sound (Mach 2), and had an illustrious career in aviation as bo...

Major Richard Ira Bong, United States Army Air Forces, Medal of Honor recepient.

The "Ace of Aces"

During World War II the air war was necessary to win to protect the troops on the ground. Of the many pilots swho became Aces (pilot with 5 or more aerial combat victories) arose a phenomenal pilot...

The Hunter Brothers

The conclusion to the saga of the Hunter Brothers continues through the end of their aviation careers and accomplishments.

Kenneth Hunter makes repairs to the “City of Chicago” in mid-flight during their world record setting flight of 23 days.

Twenty-Three Days In The Air

In 1930 four brothers worked together to set a world endurance record for flying an airplane non-stop for 553 hours, 41 minutes and 30 seconds in a 1927 Stinson SM-1 "Detroiter" aircraft.

North American Aviation F-51D-25-NA Mustang of the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron, 18th Fighter Bomber Group, Republic of South Korea, 1950.

Major Louis Joseph Sebille, USAF

Exceptional heroism in war time sometimes results in a Medal of Honor for bravery above and beyond the call of duty. Read this fascinating story of one such brave military pilot in the Korean War.

President John F. Kennedy presents the 1961 Harmon International Trophy for Aviators to A. Scott Crossfield, Joseph A. Walker, and Major Robert M. White. (L-R)

"Boy, That Was A Ride"

Robert M. White enjoyed an exceptional career in the USAF, achieving many goals including setting the World Record for altitude in a manned aircraft. He fought in three wars, was an exceptional pil...

A UH-1 helicopter on a landing pad in Vietnam

Helicopters Over Vietnam

On Novmber 9, 1967, a rescue helicopter crew heard a call for help while on their way back to base. Tired, weary, and heading home, the crew decided it was more important to help their fellow soldi...

Lieutenant Byron Quinby Jones, Aviation Section, Signal Corps, United States Army.

Byron Q. Jones Aviator and Inventor

Byron Quinby Jones was a major contributer to the begginings of the U.S. Air Force starting back in 1913. Among his many accomplishments were to be the first military pilot to stall an aircraft and...

The Freeman Field Mutiny

In 1945 a group of 101 African-American Officers challenged the "Separate But Equal" view of their base commander, resulting in the The Freeman Field Mutiny.

The Curtiss-Wright P-40L Warhawk was armed with FOUR .50-caliber machine guns.

1st Lt. Charles Blakesly Hall, U.S. Army Air Corps

Its July 2nd, 1943, and the pilot of a P-40 Warkawk takes careful aim at a German Luftwafe fighter targeting B-25 bombers over Sicily. Soon the German aircraft is streaking earthward to its death. ...