November 24th, 2020: Boeing 727
by Robert Phillips
Image credit: Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
Specs. (727-200)
Crew: 3
Capacity: 134 Passengers
Wingspan: 108 ft
Length: 153 ft 2 in
Height: 34 ft 11 in
Empty weight: 97,650 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lbs
Engine: 3x JT8D-7/9/11
Engine power: 14,000–15,000 lbf
Cruise speed: 467-515kt
Range: 1,900 nmi
Ceiling: 42,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The 727 first flew in 1963.
- Many 727s were converted in to freighters.
- The 727 was developed as a medium range narrow-bodied airliner.
- D.B Cooper hijacked a Northwest Orient 727 and demanded over $200,000. He later parachuted out of the plane using the plane’s rear airstair. He was never heard from again.
November 23rd, 2020: Douglas SBD Dauntless
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (SBD-5)
Crew: 2
Wingspan: 41 ft 6 in
Length: 33 ft 1 in
Height: 13 ft 7 in
Empty weight: 6,404 lbs
Gross weight:10,700 lbs
Engine: 1 × Wright R-1820-60 Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial
Engine power: 1,200 hp
Maximum speed: 255 mph @ 14,000 ft
Range: 1,115 mi
Ceiling: 25,530 ft
2 × 0.50 in forward-firing synchronized Browning M2 machine guns.
2 × 0.30 in flexible-mounted Browning M1919 machine guns in rear.
2,250 lbs of bombs.
Fun Facts
- The SBD was a long range dive-bomber and scout aircraft.
- The SBD became famous for its actions against the Japanese fleet during the Battle of Midway.
- The SBD was developed from the Northrop BT.
- The SBDs used by U.S. Army Air Forces were designated as A-24 Banshees.
November 20th, 2020: Boeing 737 MAX
by Robert Phillips
Photo credit: @iowa_pilot (Joe Chapman)
Specs. (737 MAX 9)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 179 Passengers
Wingspan: 117 ft 10 in
Length: 138 ft 4 in
Height: 40 ft 4 in
Max takeoff weight: 194,700 lbs
Engine: 2x CFM International LEAP-1B
Engine power: 26,786–29,317 lbf
Cruise speed: 453 kn
Range: 3,550 nmi
Ceiling: 41,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The 737 MAX is the fourth-generation 737.
- The 737 Max first flew in January of 2016, and entered service with Malindo Air in May, 2017.
- After the fatal crashes of 737 MAX 8s, the 737 MAX was grounded by the FAA for 20 months, the longest ever flight ban of a U.S. airliner.
- The 737 MAX was cleared to return to service on November 18, 2020 by the FAA.
For more information on the 737 MAX Click Here
November 19th, 2020: Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (P-47D-40)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in
Length: 36 ft 1.75 in
Height: 14 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 10,000 lbs
Max take-off weight: 17,500 lbs
Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
Engine power: 1,200 hp
Maximum speed: 426 mph (370 kn) at 30,000 ft
Range: 1,030 mi (900 nmi)
Ceiling: 42,000 ft
8 × 0.50 in (12.70 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
Up to 2,500 lbs of bombs
Ten 5 in (130 mm) unguided rockets
Fun Facts
- The P-47 was nicknamed the “jug” for its round appearance.
- P-47s were known for their ability to survive large amounts of enemy fire.
- During WWII, the P-47 was used by the U.S. Army Air Force in all theaters except Alaska.
- America’s top ace in the ETO, Francis “Gabby” Gabreski flew P-47s.
November 18th, 2020: Curtiss C-46 Commando
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (C-46A)
Crew: 4-5
Capacity: 40 troops or 15,000 lbs of cargo
Wingspan: 108 ft
Length: 76 ft 4 in
Height: 21 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 30,669 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 45,000 lbs
Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-51 Double Wasp 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
“Double Wasp” radial engines
Engine power: 2,000 hp each
Cruise speed: 173 mph (150 kn)
Range: 150 mi (2,740 nmi) at cruise speed
Ceiling: 24,500 ft
Fun Facts
- The C-46 was derived from the Curtiss CW-20 airliner.
- The C-46 was a rugged cargo plane.
- The C-46 became famous for flying missions over “The Hump” (Himalayan mountains) during WWII.
- Some C-46s are still flying cargo flights in Alaska with Everts Air Cargo.
November 17th, 2020: Consolidated PBY Catalina
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (PBY-5A)
Crew: 10
Wingspan: 104 ft
Length: 63 ft 11 in
Height: 21 ft 1 in
Empty weight: 20,910 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 35,420 lbs
Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92 Twin Wasp 14-cylinder radial engines
Engine power: 1,200 hp each
Maximum speed: 196 mph (170 kn)
Range: 2,520 mi (2,190 nmi)
Ceiling: 15,800 ft
3x .30 cal machine guns
2x .50 cal machine guns
4,000 pounds of bombs or depth charges.
Fun Facts
- The PBY Catalina was developed as a patrol bomber for the U.S. Navy.
- The PBY was used as an anti-submarine warfare aircraft and sunk several German U-boats.
- PBYs were used to rescue downed B-29 crews in the pacific.
- The PBY was known as the OA-10 in U.S. Army Air Force service.
- Flight crews referred to rescue PBYs as the “Dumbo.”
November 13th, 2020: McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-4E)
Crew: 2
Wingspan: 38 ft 5 in
Length: 63 ft 0 in
Height: 16 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 30,328 lbs
Maximum take-off weight: 61,795 lbs
Powerplant: 2 x General Electric J79-GE-17A after-burning turbojet engines
Engine power: 17,845 Ibf per engine with afterburners
Maximum speed: 1,280 kn (1,470 mph) at 40,000 ft
Combat Range: 370 nmi (420 mi)
Ceiling: 60,000 ft
1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon
Up to 18,650 lbs of weapons on nine external hardpoints
Fun Facts
- The F-4 was originally developed for the U.S. Navy.
- The F-4 made its first flight in 1958.
- The F-4 was the main air superiority fighter of the U.S. Air Force, Navy, and Marines during the Vietnam war.
- Some F-4 were turned into target drones and designated as QF-4s. The last QF-4 was retired by the U.S. Air Force in 2016.
November 12th, 2020: Convair B-36 Peacemaker
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (B-36J-III)
Crew: 13
Wingspan: 230 ft
Length: 162 ft 1 in
Height: 46 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 166,165 lbs
Maximum take-off weight: 410,000 lbs
Engine: 6 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360-53 Wasp Major 28-cylinder 4-row air-cooled radial piston engines + 4 × General Electric J47 turbojet engines
Engine power: 3,800 hp per R-4360-53, 5,200 ibf per J47
Maximum speed: 435 mph (378 kn)
Combat Range: 3,985 mi (3,463 nmi)
Ceiling: 43,600 ft
2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M24A1 autocannon in tail turret.
86,000 lb of bombs with weight restrictions, 72,000 lb of bombs on a normal mission.
Fun Facts
- The B-36 has the longest wing span of any combat aircraft ever built.
- No B-36s were ever used in combat.
- One B-36s was modified to carry a nuclear reactor in order to test the idea of a nuclear powered airplane.
- Some B-36s were modified to launch and retrieve RF-84 reconnaissance planes.
November 11th, 2020: SPAD S.XIII
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (SPAD S.XIII)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 27 ft 1 in
Length: 20 ft 6 in
Height: 8 ft 6 in
Empty weight: 1,326 lbs
Gross weight: 1,888 lbs
Engine: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 8Ba, Bb or Bd Water cooled 8-cylinder vee-type
Engine power: 200 hp
Maximum speed: 131 mph at 3,300 ft
Range: 171 mi
Ceiling: 22,300 ft
2 x .303 in Vickers machine guns or on United States Army Air Service aircraft, 2 x Marlin M1917 or M1918 machine guns
4 x 25 lb Cooper bombs
Fun Facts
- SPAD S.XIIIs equipped 15 of the 16 operational American pursuit squadrons at the end of WWI.
- Only 6 original SPAD S.XIIIs survive.
- America’s leading ace of WWI, Eddie Rickenbacker flew the SPAD S.XIII and shot down 26 enemy aircraft during the war.
- The SPAD S.XIII is regarded as one of the best fighters of WWI.
November 10th, 2020: McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-18C)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 40 ft 4 in
Length: 56 ft 1 in
Height: 15 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 23,000 lbs
Maximum take-off weight: 51,900 lbs
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric F404-GE-402 afterburning turbofan engines
Engine power: 17,750 lbf per engine with afterburners
Maximum speed: 1,034 kn (1,190 mph) at 40,000 ft
Range: 1,089 nmi (1,253 mi)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft
1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon
9x hard points with capacity of 13,700 lbs. of mixed ordnance
Fun Facts
- The F/A-18 is an multi-role naval fighter.
- The F/A-18 was developed from the Northrop YF-17 which was a prototype light fighter for the U.S. Air Force.
- The F/A-18 Hornet was developed into the larger F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
- The U.S. Navy Blue Angels used the F/A-18A until they switched to the F/A-18E Super Hornets earlier this year.
November 9th, 2020: Boeing 777
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (777-200)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 276-364 Passengers
Wingspan: 199 ft 11 in
Length: 209 ft 1 in
Height: 60 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 299,550 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 545,000 lbs
Engine: 2× PW4000 / Trent 800 / GE90
Engine power: 77,200 lbf per engine
Cruise speed: 499–511 kn
Range: 5,240 nmi
Ceiling: 43,100 ft
Fun Facts
- The 777 is a wide-body airliner.
- The 777 was originally designed as a trijet like the DC-10 and L1011.
- The 777 is currently the world’s most ordered wide-body aircraft.
- The largest 777 variant is the 777x series, these aircraft can accommodate up to 426 passengers and are scheduled to enter airline service in 2022.
November 6th, 2020: Ryan FR Fireball
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (FR-1)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 40 ft 0 in
Length: 32 ft 4 in
Height: 13 ft 11 in
Empty weight: 7,689 lbs
Gross weight: 11,652 lbs
Engine: 1 × Wright R-1820-72W Cyclone 9-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine + 1 × General Electric J31-GE-3 centrifugal-flow turbojet engine
Engine power: 1,350 hp for Wright R-1820-72W Cyclone, 1,600 ibf for General Electric J31-GE-3
Maximum speed: 404 mph (351 kn) with both engines
Ferry Range: 1,620 mi
Ceiling: 43,100 ft
Guns: 4 × .50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
Rockets: 8 × 5-inch rockets under wings
Bombs: 2 × 1,000 lb bombs
Fun Facts
- The FR was the U.S. Navy’s first jet powered aircraft.
- Only 66 Fireballs were built before WWII ended.
- The Fireball was a disappointment and wasn’t as fast as propeller driven fighters.
- A FR-1 made the first ever jet-powered landing on an aircraft carrier after its radial engine stopped working.
November 5th, 2020: Lockheed P-38 Lightning
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (P-38L)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 52 ft
Length: 37 ft 10 in
Height: 12 ft 10 in
Empty weight: 12,800 lbs
Max take-off weight: 21,600 lbs
Engine: 2x Allison V-1710 V-12 liquid-cooled turbo-supercharged piston engines
Engine power: 1,475 hp each
Maximum speed: 414 mph
Range: 1,300 mi
Ceiling: 44,000 ft
4 × 0.50 in (12.70 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
1x 20 mm cannon
Fun Facts
- America’s top scoring ace, Richard Bong shot down 40 planes in the P-38.
- The top three U.S. Army Air Force aces all flew P-38s.
- The P-38 had an unusual twin-boom design.
- Both the Germans and Japanese feared the P-38. The Germans called it Der Gabelschwanz Teufel (“The Forked-Tail Devil”), while the Japanese called it “two planes, one pilot.”
- The P-38 first flew in January 1939 and entered USAAF service in July 1941.
November 4th, 2020: Lockheed L-1649 Starliner
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (L-1649A)
Crew: 4
Capacity: 99 Passengers
Wingspan: 116 ft 2 in
Length: 150 ft
Height: 24 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 91,645 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 156,104 lbs
Engine: 4 × Wright R-3350 988 TC18-EA-2 Duplex-Cyclone 18 cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
Engine power: 3,400 hp each
Cruise speed: 377 mph at 18,600 ft
Range: 4,940 mi (4,290 nmi) with 19,500 lb payload, 6,180 mi (5,370 nmi) with 8,000 lb payload
Ceiling: 23,700 ft
Fun Facts
- The L-1649 was developed from the L-1049 Super Constellation.
- Only 44 L-1649s were built before production ended in 1958.
- The L-1649 was the last model of the Lockheed Constellation series.
- Only four Starliners survive today.
November 3rd, 2020: Boeing VC-25
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (VC-25A)
Crew: 26
Capacity: 76 Passengers
Wingspan: 196 ft 8 in
Length: 231 ft 10 in
Height: 63 ft 5 in
Max takeoff weight: 833,000 lbs
Engine: 4 × General Electric CF6-80C2B1 turbofan engines
Engine power: 56,700 lbf each
Cruise speed: 547.5 kn (630.1 mph)
Range: 6,800 nmi (7,800 mi)
Ceiling: 45,100 ft
Fun Facts
- The U.S. Air Force operates two identical VC-25As that are identical to one another.
- The VC-25 is only known as Air Force One when the president is aboard.
- The two current VC-25s are A variants which were developed from the Boeing 747-200.
- The VC-25As are scheduled to be replaced by VC-25Bs which where developed from the Boeing 747-8.
November 2nd, 2020: Hughes H-4 Hercules “The Spruce Goose”
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (Statistics are projected)
Crew: 22 (on first flight)
Wingspan: 320 ft 11 in
Length: 218 ft 8 in
Height: 28 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 250,000 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 400,000 lbs
Engine: 8 × Pratt & Whitney R-4360 Wasp Major 28-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines
Engine power: 3,000 hp each
Cruise speed: 250 mph
Range: 3,000 mi
Ceiling: 20,900 ft
Fun Facts
- The Spruce Goose was created as a trans-Atlantic transport during WWII in order to cut down on losses caused by German U-boats.
- As a result of wartime restrictions on aluminum, The Spruce Goose was made from wood.
- Until the Scaled Composites Stratolaunch flew on April 13th, 2019, the H-4 had the longest wingspan of any aircraft that had ever flown.
- The Spruce Goose is regarded as a failure and only made one successful flight that lasted for a minute.
- The Spruce Goose was not completed before WWII ended.
October 28th, 2020: Boeing B-52 Stratofortress
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (B-52H)
Crew: 5
Wingspan: 185 ft
Length: 159 ft 4 in
Height: 40 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 185,000 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 488,000 lbs
Engine: 8 × Pratt & Whitney TF33-P-3/103 turbofans
Engine power (take-off): 17,000 ibf each
Maximum speed: 560 kn (650 mph)
Combat Radius: 4,480 mi (3,890 nmi)
Ferry Range: 10,145 mi (8,764 nmi)
Ceiling: 50,000 ft
Guns: 1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61 Vulcan cannon in the tail (removed from all operational B-52s in 1991)
Approximately 70,000 lbs of mixed ordnance; bombs, mines, missiles, in various configurations
Fun Facts
- The B-52 set many records including a distance record for the longest unrefueled flight.
- The last B-52 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force over 55 years ago.
- The B-52 first flew in 1952.
- The B-52 is expected to stay in U.S. Air Force service until 2050.
October 28th, 2020: Boeing B-29 Superfortress
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (B-29)
Crew: 11
Wingspan: 141 ft 3 in
Length: 99 ft
Height: 27 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 74,500 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 133,500 lbs
Engine: 4 x Wright R-3350-23 Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled turbosupercharged radial piston engines
Engine power (take-off): 2,200 hp each
Maximum speed: 357 mph
Range: 3,250 mi
Ceiling: 31,850 ft
10 x .50-caliber machine guns and 1× 20 mm M2 cannon
Up to 20,000 lbs of bombs over short distances or 5,000 lbs over 1,600 mi radius at high altitude or 12,000 lbs over 1,600 mi radius at medium altitude.
Fun Facts
- The B-29 was one of the most advanced aircraft of WWII.
- B-29s dropped the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
- The B-29 was developed into the Boeing B-50.
- The B-29 was reverse engineered by the Soviets as the TU-4.
October 27th, 2020: De Havilland Canada Dash 8 / Bombardier Q Series
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (Bombardier Q-400)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 76 Passengers
Wingspan: 93 ft 3 in
Length: 107 ft 9 in
Height: 27 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 39,284 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 67,200 lbs
Engine: 2 × Pratt & Whitney PW150
Engine power: 5,071 shp per engine
Max. Cruise speed: 360 kn
Range: 1,100 nmi
Ceiling: 27,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The DHC-8 was developed by De Havilland Canada, when De Havilland Canada was sold to Bombardier, the aircraft was produced as the Q-series.
- The DHC-8 is a regional turboprop airliner.
- The DHC-8 was developed from four-engined DHC-7.
- The First DHC-8 flew in 1983/
October 26th, 2020: Embraer 175
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (ERJ-175)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 76 Passengers
Wingspan: 85 ft 4in
Length: 103 ft 11in
Height: 32 ft 4in
Empty weight: 48,083 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 89,000 lbs
Engine: 2× GE CF34-8E
Engine power: 14,200 lbf per engine
Max. Cruise speed: 470 kn
Range: 2,200 nmi
Ceiling: 41,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The ERJ 175 is a narrow body regional airliner.
- The ERJ 175 first flew in 2002
- The ERJ 170/175 was developed into the ERJ 190/195.
- The ERJ 175 is extremely popular and most US regional carriers operate them.
October 22nd, 2020: Northrop F-5 Freedom Fighter
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-5E Tiger II)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 26 ft 8 in
Length: 48 ft 2.25 in
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in
Empty weight: 9,583 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 24,675 lbs
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric J85-GE-21 afterburning turbojet engines
Engine power: 5,000 lbf each with afterburner
Maximum speed: Mach 1.4
Range: 481 nmi (554 mi)
Combat Range: 120 nmi ( 140 mi)
Ceiling: 51,800 ft
2× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39A2 Revolver cannon
7x hardpoints: 2× wing-tip AAM launch rails, 4× under-wing & 1× under-fuselage pylon stations with a capacity of 7,000 pounds.
Fun Facts
- The F-5 is an American light fighter aircraft.
- F-5 served with the South Vietnamese Air Force during the Vietnam war.
- The F-5 is still in use with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force as an aggressor aircraft.
- The F-5 first flew in 1959 and was developed from the T-38 Talon.
October 21st, 2020: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (787-8)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 219-243 Passengers
Wingspan: 197 ft 3 in
Length: 186 ft 1 in
Height: 55 ft 6 in
Empty weight: 264,500 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 502,500 lbs
Engine: 2x General Electric GEnx-1B or 2x Rolls-Royce Trent 1000
Engine power:64,000 lbf per engine
Cruise speed: 488 kn (560 mph)
Range: 7,355 nmi
Ceiling: 43,100 ft
Fun Facts
- The 787 is a wide-body airliner.
- The 787 has three main variants. These variants are the 787-8, 787-9, and 787-10.
- The 787 Dreamliner first flew in 2009.
- The longest version of the 787, the 787-10 can hold up to 330 passengers.
October 20th, 2020: Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (C-17A)
Crew: 3
Capacity: 170,900 lbs
Wingspan: 169 ft 9.6 in
Length: 174 ft
Height: 55 ft 1 in
Empty weight: 282,500 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 585,000 lbs
Engines: 4 × Pratt & Whitney F117-PW-100 turbofan engines
Engine power: 40,440 lbf (179.9 kN)
Cruise speed: 450 kn (520 mph)
Range: 2,420 nmi (2,780 mi) with 157,000 lb payload
Ceiling: 45,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The C-17 Globemaster III is a strategic and tactical airlifter.
- The U.S. Air Force operates 223 C-17s.
- The C-17 replaced the Lockheed C-141 Starlifter.
- The C-17 can operate from small unpaved airstrips.
October 19th, 2020: Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (P-40E)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 28 ft
Length: 37 ft 3.5 in
Height: 10 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 5,922 lbs
Gross weight: 8,515 lbs
Engine: 1 x Allison V-1710-39 V-12 liquid-cooled piston engine
Engine power: 1,240 hp
Maximum speed: 334 mph @ 15,000 ft
Range: 716 mi
Ceiling: 29,100 ft
6 × 0.50 in (12.70 mm) M2 Browning machine guns
50 to 1,000 lb bombs to a total of 2,000 lbs on three hardpoints
Fun Facts
- The Curtiss P-40 was developed from the P-36 Hawk.
- During the attack on Pearl Harbor, pilots George Welch and Kenneth Taylor managed to get airborne and down several Japanese fighters.
- The P-40 flew with the Flying Tigers ( known officially as the 1st American Volunteer Group) in China against the Japanese.
- Over 200 P-40 pilots became aces.
- P-40s served in both European and Pacific theaters during WWII.
- The P-40 first flew on October 14, 1938.
October 16th, 2020: General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-16C Block 50 and 52)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 32 ft 8 in
Length: 49 ft 5 in
Height: 16 ft
Empty weight: 18,900 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 42,300 lbs
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan (for Block 50 version)
Engine power: 29,500 lbf with afterburner
Maximum speed: Mach 2.05 at altitude
Range: 2,277 nmi (2,620 mi) with drop tanks
Combat Range: 295 nmi (339 mi) on a hi-lo-hi mission with 4x 1,000 lb bombs
Ceiling: +50,000 ft
1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon
2 × wing-tip air-to-air missile launch rails, 6 × under-wing, and 3 × under-fuselage pylon (2 of 3 for sensors) stations with a capacity of up to 17,000 lbs of stores
Fun Facts
- The F-16 is an American air superiority fighter and multi-role aircraft.
- The F-16 Fighting Falcon serves in the air forces of 26 different nations.
- The F-16 is the world’s most numerous fixed-wing aircraft in military service.
- The famous U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds use F-16s in their demonstrations to perform daring stunts and maneuvers.
October 15th, 2020: Boeing P-26 Peashooter
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (P-26A)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 28 ft
Length: 23 ft 7 in
Height: 10 ft
Empty weight: 2,196 lbs
Gross weight: 3,360 lbs
Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1340-27 Wasp
Engine power: 600 hp
Maximum speed: 234 mph
Combat Range: 360 mi
Ferry Range: 635 mi
Ceiling: 27,400 ft
2 × .30 in (7.62 mm) machine guns or 1 x .30 (7.62 mm) and 1 x .50 (12.7 mm) caliber machine guns
2 × 100 lb GP bombs or 5 x 31 lb anti-personnel bomb
Fun Facts
- The P-26 Peashooter was the U.S. Army Air Corps’ first all metal monoplane fighter.
- Today only 2 original P-26s survive.
- The P-26 Peashooter first flew in 1932.
- The P-26s were being used by the U.S. against the Japanese in 1941.
- The last P-26s were retired by the Guatemalan Air Force in 1956.
October 13th, 2020: Beechcraft King Air
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (C90)
General Statistics
Crew: 1-2
Capacity: 7 Passengers
Wingspan: 50 ft 3 in
Length: 35 ft 6
Height: 14 ft 3 in
Empty weight: 6,950 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 10,100 lbs
Engine: 2 × Pratt and Whitney PT6A-135A
Engine power: 550/410 kW
Cruise speed: 226 kn
Range: 1,321 nmi
Ceiling: 30,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The King Air is a civil utility aircraft.
- King Airs are used by several different militaries as training aircraft.
- Beechcraft developed the King Air into the Super King Air Series.
- One King Air was used as Lyndon B. Johnson’s personal transport for flights between Bergstrom Air Force Base and the Johnson family ranch. When Johnson was aboard, it used the callsign Air Force One.
October 12th, 2020: Lockheed L1011 TriStar
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (L1011-500)
Crew: 3
Capacity: 246 Passengers
Wingspan:155 ft 4 in
Length: 177 ft 8.5 in
Height: 55 ft 4 in
Empty weight: 245,400 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 510,000 lbs
Engine: 3x Rolls-Royce RB211-524B
Engine power: 50,000 lbf
Cruise speed: 525 kn
Range: 5,345 nmi
Ceiling: 43,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The Lockheed L-1011 TriStar first flew in 1970.
- The L-1011 is a wide body jet airliner.
- There are very few TriStars left.
- Stargazer is a L-1011 is operated by Northrop Grumman. It was modified to serve as a mothership for rockets and satellites.
October 9th, 2020: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (SR-71A)
Crew: 2
Wingspan: 55 ft 7 in
Length: 107 ft 5 in
Height: 18 ft 6 in
Empty weight: 67,500 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 172,000 lbs
Engines: 2 × Pratt & Whitney J58 (JT11D-20J or JT11D-20K) afterburning turbojets
Engine power: 32,500-34,000 lbf
Cruise speed: Mach 3+ (1,910 kn, 2,200 mph)
Range: 2,824 nmi (3,250 mi)
Ceiling: 85,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The SR-71 Blackbird was the fastest plane ever built.
- The SR-71 was a strategic reconnaissance aircraft.
- The SR-71 was developed from the A-12.
- A total of 32 SR-71s were built.
- The SR-71 was retired in 1999.
October 8th, 2020: Boeing 747
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (747-400)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 416 Passengers
Wingspan: 211 ft 5 in
Length: 231 ft 10 in
Height: 63 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 412,300 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 910,000 lbs
Engine: 4x Pratt & Whitney PW-4000 or Rolls-Royce RB211-524 or GE CF6
Engine power: 62,100–63,300 lbf
Cruise speed: 504 kn
Range: 7,670 nmi
Ceiling: 45,100 ft
Fun Facts
- The 747 is one of the most recognizable planes in the world.
- The 747 is in the twilight of it’s career.
- The 747 first flew in 1969.
- Many cargo airlines use 747s as freighters.
- The 747 has a second deck and is the only commercial airliner where passengers can sit in front of the pilots.
October 7th, 2020: Cessna 172
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (C-172R)
General Statistics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 3 Passengers
Wingspan: 36 ft 1 in
Length: 27 ft 2 in
Height: 8 ft 11 in
Empty weight: 1,691 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 2,450 lbs
Engine: 1 × Lycoming IO-360-L2A
Engine power: 160 hp
Cruise speed: 122 kn (140 mph)
Range: 696 nmi (801 mi)
Ceiling: 13,500 ft
Fun Facts
- The Cessna 172 was developed from the Cessna 170.
- The Cessna 172 is regarded as one of the most planes successful planes ever built.
- More Cessna 172s have been built than any other aircraft.
- A German pilot named Mathias Rust managed to land a Cessna 172 near Red Square in Moscow without being intercepted by Soviet air defenses.
October 6th, 2020: Boeing E-6 Mercury
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (E-6B)
Crew: 22
Wingspan: 148 ft 2 in
Length: 152 ft 11 in
Height: 42 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 172,795 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 342,000 lbs
Engines: 4 × CFM International CFM-56
Engine power: 21,600 lbf (96.2 kn)
Cruise speed: 455 kn (524 mph)
Range: 6,600 nmi (7,600 mi)
Combat Range: 6,300 nmi (7,310 mi)
Ceiling: 40,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The E-6 Mercury serves as an airborne command post in the event of a nuclear war and is commonly referred to as a “doomsday” plane.
- The U.S. Navy uses the E-6 to convey messages from the National Command Authority (NCA) to ballistic missile submarines.
- The E-6 has the capability to remotely control Minuteman ICBMs.
- The E-6 was developed from the Boeing 707 and was the last 707 variant produced.
October 5th, 2020: North American F-86 Sabre
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-86F-40-NA)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 39 ft 1 in
Length: 37 ft 1 in
Height: 14 ft 1 in
Empty weight: 11,125 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 18,152 lbs
Powerplant: 1 × General Electric J47-GE-27 turbojet engine
Engine power: 5,910 lbf
Maximum speed: 687 mph (597 kn) @ sea level
Range: 1,525 mi (1,325 nmi)
Combat Range: 414 mi (360 nmi)
Ceiling: 49,600 ft
6 X 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M3 Browning machine guns (1,800 rounds in total)
eight 5-in. rockets, 2,000 lbs. of bombs
Fun Facts
- The F-86 was developed as a fighter and entered service with the U.S. Air Force in 1949.
- F-86 pilots shot down 792 MiGs during the Korean War.
- More than 5,500 F-86s were built.
- A total of 40 F-86 pilots became aces over Korea.
October 2nd, 2020: Boeing 767
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (767-300)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 269 Passengers
Wingspan: 156 ft 1 in
Length: 180 ft 3 in
Height: 52 ft
Empty weight: 176,650 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 315,000 lbs
Engine: Two General Electric CF6-80C2B or two Pratt & Whitney PW4060
Engine power: 63,300 ibf
Max. Cruise speed: 459 kn
Range: 3,900 nmi
Ceiling: 43,100 ft
Fun Facts
- The 767 and 757 were the first two Boeing airliners to be jointly developed.
- The 767 is popular as a freighter and many cargo airlines operate them.
- The 767 was developed into the KC-46 Pegasus.
- The 767 is a wide-body airliner.
October 1st, 2020: Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (KC-135R)
Crew: 3
Capacity: Up to 80 Passengers
Wingspan: 130 ft 10 in
Length: 136 ft 3 in
Height: 41 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 98,392 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 322,500 lbs
Engines: 4 × CFM International CFM-56
Engine power: 21,600 lbf (96.2 kn)
Cruise speed: 460.5 kn (529.9 mph)
Range: 1,303.5 nmi (1,500.0 mi) with 150,000 lbs of transferable fuel
Ceiling: 50,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The KC-135 is used for aerial refueling and airlift missions.
- The KC-135 is the U.S. Air Force’s primary aerial refueling aircraft.
- The first KC-135 was delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1957.
- The like the 707, the KC-135 was developed from the Boeing 367-80.
September 30th, 2020: Airbus A319
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (A319)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 124-156 Passengers
Wingspan: 117 ft 5 in
Length: 111 ft 0 in
Height: 38 ft 7 in
Empty weight: 90,000 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 166,000 lbs
Engine: 2x CFM56-5B
Engine power: 27,000 lbf (120 kn)
Max. Cruise speed: 514 kn
Range: 3,750 nmi
Ceiling: 41,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The A319 is a shorter version of the A320.
- American Airlines is the largest operator of the A319.
- The A319 has been developed into the more modern A319NEO.
- The A319 was designed to compete with Boeing’s 737-700.
September 29th, 2020: Lockheed P-2 Neptune
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (P-2H / P2V-7)
Crew: 7-9
Wingspan: 103 ft 10 in
Length: 91 ft 8 in
Height: 29 ft 4 in
Empty weight: 49,935 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 79,895 lbs
Powerplant: 2 × Wright R-3350-32W Duplex-Cyclone 18-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engines + 2 x Westinghouse J34-WE-34 turbojet engines
Engine power: 3,700 hp for each Wright R-3350-32W Duplex-Cyclone, 3,400 lbf for each Westinghouse J34
Maximum speed: 363 mph (315 kn)
Range: 1,874 nmi ( 2,157 mi)
Ceiling: 22,400 ft
- FFAR rockets
- 8,000 lbs of ordinance including free-fall bombs, depth charges, and torpedoes
Fun Facts
- The P-2 Neptune was a Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft.
- P-2s were produced under license in Japan as Kawasaki P-2Js.
- Many P-2s were converted into fire tankers and used to fight forest fires.
- A P2V-1 named “The Truculent Turtle” set the record for longest unrefueled flight from Perth to Columbus, Ohio.
September 25th, 2020: McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (F-15C)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in
Length: 63 ft 9 in
Height: 18 ft 6 in
Empty weight: 28,000 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 68,000 lbs
Powerplant: 2 × Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 afterburning turbofans
Engine power: 23,770 lbf per engine with afterburners
Maximum speed: Mach 2.5 at high altitude (about 16670 kn)
Range: 3,000 nmi (3,450 mi)
Combat Range:1,061 nmi (1,221 mi)
Ceiling: 65,000 ft
1× 20 mm (0.787 in) M61A1 Vulcan 6-barrel rotary cannon
11x hard points with capacity of 16,000 lbs. of mixed ordnance
Fun Facts
- The F-15 is an American air superiority fighter and multi-role aircraft.
- The F-15 is regarded as one of the best American fighter planes ever built.
- The aircraft has been produced since 1972.
- The an Israeli F-15 once landed without it’s right wing after it was involved in a mid-air collision.
September 24th, 2020: Bombardier CRJ-200
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (CRJ-200LR)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 50 Passengers
Wingspan: 69 ft 6 in
Length: 87 ft 10 in
Height: 20 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 30,500 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 53,000 lbs
Engine: 2 x GE CF34-3B1
Engine power: 8,729 lbf (38.84 kN)
Cruise speed: 424 kn
Range: 1,700 nmi
Ceiling: 41,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The CRJ-200 is a regional jet designed by Bombardier.
- The CRJ-200 was developed into the CRJ-700 series.
- Production of the CRJ-100/200 ended in 2006.
- Many regional airlines still fly the CRJ-200.
September 23rd, 2020: Beechcraft Model 18 / C-45
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (UC-45)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 6 Passengers
Wingspan: 47 ft 8 in
Length: 34 ft 3 in
Height: 9 ft 9 in
Empty weight: 5,420 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 7,200 lbs
Engine: 2 x Pratt & Whitney R-985-AN-1 “Wasp Junior” radial engines
Engine power: 450 hp
Max. speed: 225 mph
Range: 1,200 mi
Ceiling: 26,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The Model 18 first flew in 1937.
- During WWII Model 18s were used as transports and trainer planes.
- The Model 18 was known as the C-45 in military service.
- A few C-45s were converted into drone control aircraft (CQ-3s).
- 240 Model 18s are still registered in the US and some fly at airshows.
September 22nd, 2020: Douglas DC-9
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (DC-9-15)
Crew: 2
Capacity: 65 Passengers
Wingspan: 89 ft 4.8in
Length: 104 ft 4.8in
Height: 27 ft 7in
Empty weight: 49,162 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 90,700 lbs
Engine: 2 x Pratt & Whitney JT8D-1
Engine power:14,000 lbf (62 kN)
Cruise speed: 478 kn
Range: 1,300 nmi
Ceiling: 35,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The DC-9 was a very successful airliner designed Douglas.
- DC-9s had built in airstairs in the tail of the plane.
- The DC-9 was versatile and developed into the MD-80, MD-90, and Boeing 717 aircraft.
- A few DC-9s are still flying as freighters.
September 21st, 2020: Cirrus Vision SF50
by Robert Phillips
Image obtained from Markus Eigenheer from Genève, Schweiz – N124MW Cirrius SF50 c/n 0009
Specs. (SF50 G1)
General Statistics
Crew: 1
Capacity: 6 Passengers
Wingspan: 38 ft 8 in
Length: 30 ft 11 in
Height: 10 ft 11 in
Empty weight: 3,572 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 6,000 lbs
Engine: 1 × Williams FJ33-5A turbofan
Engine power: 1,800 lbf
Cruise speed: 240 kn (280 mph)
Range: 600 nmi (690 mi)
Ceiling: 28,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The Cirrus Vision is one of the few single engined jets on the market.
- It is the first certified civilian single-engined jet.
- The SF50 is equipped with a whole aircraft ballistic parachute system for emergencies.
September 18th, 2020: Boeing-Stearman PT-17
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (PT-17)
General Statistics
Crew: 2
Wingspan: 32 ft 2 in
Length: 24 ft 9 in
Height: 9 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 1,931 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 2,635 lb
Powerplant: 1 × Continental R-670-5 7-cylinder air-cooled radial piston engine
Engine power: 250 hp
Maximum speed: 124 mph
Range: 505 mi
Ceiling:13,200 ft
Armament
none
Fun Facts
- The PT-17 was the main primary trainer of WWII.
- After WWII the PT-17 was popular as a crop duster.
- PT-17s are common at airshows.
- Many wing walkers use PT-17s to perform their daring stunts.
September 17th, 2020: Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (A-10A)
Crew: 1
Wingspan: 57 ft 6 in
Length: 53 ft 4 in
Height: 14 ft 8 in
Empty weight: 24,959 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 50,000 lbs
Powerplant: 2 × General Electric TF34-GE-100A turbofans
Engine power: 9,065 lbf per engine
Maximum speed: 361 knots (439 mph) at sea level
Range: 2,240 nmi (2,580 mi)
Combat radius (CAS mission): 250 nmi (288 mi)
Ceiling: 45,000 ft
1 x 30 mm (1.18 in) GAU-8/A Avenger
11x hard points with capacity of 16,000 lbs. of mixed ordnance
Fun Facts
- The A-10 is known as the Warthog.
- The A-10 is used for close air support missions.
- The A-10 is tough and can take heavy damage.
- The A-10 is designed to take out enemy tanks and other armored vehicles.
September 16th, 2020: Douglas DC-6
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (DC-6B)
Crew: 4
Capacity: 42-89 Passengers
Wingspan: 117 ft 6 in
Length: 105 ft 7 in
Height: 28 ft 5 in
Empty weight: 55,357 lbs
Max takeoff weight: 107,000 lbs
Engine: 4 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-CB17
“Double Wasp” radial engines
Engine power: 2,500 hp (1,900 kW) with
water injection each
Cruise speed: 293 mph at 25,000 feet
Range: 2,610 nmi (4,830 km) with max payload
4,100 nmi (7,600 km) with max fuel
Ceiling: 25,000 ft
Fun Facts
- The DC-6 was developed from the Douglas DC-4/C-54.
- The DC-6 first flew in 1946.
- Several DC-6 were converted into tankers and used to fight fires.
- Some DC-6s are still flying cargo flights in Alaska with Everts Air Cargo.
September 15th, 2020: North American B-25 Mitchell
by Robert Phillips
Specs. (B-25J)
Crew: 6
Wingspan: 67 ft 6.7 in
Length: 53 ft 5.75 in
Height: 16 ft 4.2 in
Empty weight: 19,490 lbs
Loaded (maximum) weight: 33,400 lbs
Engine: 2 x Wright Cyclone R-2600-29 14-cylinder radial engines
Engine power (take-off): 1,700 hp at 2,800 rpm
Maximum speed: 293 mph at 13,850 feet
Range: 1,350 miles with 974 gallons of fuel and 3,000 lb. bomb load
Ceiling: 24,500 ft
13 x .50-caliber machine guns
2 x 1,600 lb armor piercing bombs or 3 x 1,000 lb general purpose bombs and wing mounted 23lb parafrag bomblets or 6 x 325 lb depth charges
Fun Facts
- B-25s flew over Kenston during WWII. The Kenston became known as the Bombers as a result.
- The B-25 was a medium bomber.
- The B-25 is famous for the Doolittle Raid. During the raid, 16 B-25s took off from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CVN-8). The B-25s bombed Tokyo and several other Japanese cities before crash landing in China.
- The B-25 was named after General William “Billy” Mitchell.