When Spitfires Delivered Beer to the Troops in Normandy
After the D-Day landings, Spitfires transported beer to airfields in Normandy using modified drop tanks and barrels. Summary Following the D-Day landings on June 6, […]
Knowledge
Fighter pilot: the qualities that make the difference on a mission
Physical, mental, technical, collective: what sets a fighter pilot apart, from selection screening to in-flight reflexes and squadron discipline. The physical requirements that determine flight […]
Mastery of darkness as a pillar of military superiority
Technological advantage at night now determines the outcome of modern conflicts by offering decisive tactical and strategic impunity. In summary The ability to operate at […]
The decisive role of the F-5 in the Vietnam War
The Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter served discreetly in Vietnam, carrying out essential attack and training missions. Technical and operational analysis. Summary The Northrop F-5 Freedom […]
The secret rules that shaped Skunk Works innovation
Kelly Johnson defined 14 rules that enabled Skunk Works to create the world’s most secret aircraft. A modern guide to management and rapid innovation. In […]
The F-35 and spatial disorientation—a look back at the 2019 crash
In 2019, a Japanese F-35A crashed into the sea during a training flight. Detailed analysis of the pilot’s spatial disorientation and technological limitations. Summary On […]
The logistical challenges of rapidly deploying fighter squadrons to distant theaters of operation
Rapidly deploying a fighter squadron thousands of miles away remains a colossal logistical challenge. A look back at the methods, shortcomings, and innovations of the […]
Falklands 1982: The Sea Harrier versus the Argentine Mirage III and Skyhawk
A look back at the Falklands War and the aerial duel between the British Sea Harriers and the Argentine Mirage III and Skyhawk in 1982. […]
What the human body experiences during a 9G turn in a fighter jet
A 9G turn places extreme stress on the human body: blood displacement, impaired vision, loss of consciousness. Pilots and technology are pushing this limit. Summary […]
Flying at Mach 1: what a fighter pilot feels
Discover the physical sensations and aerodynamic effects experienced by a pilot when breaking the sound barrier and flying at supersonic speeds. In summary Breaking the […]