Busy Beach at NAS North Island in WWI
Original ads: Fokker and Zenith
As one can see from the pictured Fokker Eindecker, this ad is an early one indeed.
The Zenith Vergaser (carburetor) features a marauding Zeppelin high over London.
Arado 196, JU-87 Stuka, and JU88K
Focke-Wulf FW 58 and the FW 200
Natchitooches Airport, La., May 20, 1940
Air Corps photo taken at “9:01 pm”. Obviously they used flares, but that makes this photo impressive in its own right. Picture was taken during the Louisiana Maneuvers of 1940. Airport is still in use today.
Some spiffy British ads from the 1930’s
Featuring the immortal Bristol Bulldog, and the thoroughly excellent Airspeed Oxford.
432nd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
The title “Ftr/Recon” refers to the fact the 432nd had more fighter squadrons than they did reconnaissance. Udorn Air Base, Thailand.
F-4E, 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron
The most obvious difference between the F-4E and its predecessors was the gun in the nose that radically altered the front end of the Phantom. It is only fitting that when the 469th TFS got the E model they designed a patch that illustrated that they were now armed to the teeth.
514th Fighter Bomber Squadron
Early 1950’s patch when the 514th flew the F-84 Thunderjet & F-86 Sabre at RAF Manston.
West Point cadets whoop it up at Langley Field, July 3 1931
With a 96th Bomb Squadron Keystone B-5 as a grandstand, the cadets were obviously enjoying their opportunity to escape the gray walls of West Point. There are several notables I recognize in these young faces, one of whom is William Darby, to gain immortality commanding his famous “Darby’s Rangers” in World War II.
Keystone LB-7, 11th Bomb Squadron, Rockwell Field, April 29th 1930
Hollywood actresses Winnie Lightner and Irene Delroy clown for the camera as Lt. William C. Kingsbury of the 11th Bomb Sq. looks on. The 11th is still active today, and fly the B-52. Their insignia, “Jiggs” of Sunday comics fame, was designed for the squadron by the character’s creator, George McManus. (He served with the 11th in World War I.) Lt. Kingsbury retired as a major general in 1966 after having flown almost anything with wings, from the rickety LB-7 to the B-52. Quite a career.
Actor Edgar G. Robinson greets the 532nd Bomb Squadron at Ridgewell, Essex
Martin B-12 of the 23rd Bomb Squadron
Taken at Luke Field on Ford Island, Hawaii.
Loening OA-1A back from South America
Having just returned from the Pan American flight of 1927, this is one of the five aircraft that made the historic flight. Seen here at Langley Field.
RB-26 Invader of the 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing
“Gee, that looks scrummy”
Mealtime on British Overseas Airways Corporation. By their alarmed body language and expressions, one would assume the passengers just found out that today’s menu consists of horse meat or hedgehog (though they would probably be better than most of the stuff that passes for airline food today). Actually, these are BOAC crews in training, and all are being attentive to the proper way for making passengers happy.
Sirkorsky S-43 gases up in Hawaii
B-26 Invader and crew, 3rd Bomb Group
11th Bomb Squadron, Rockwell Field, 1930. Keystone B-3
The Jive Bomber 