Stories and Illustrations of combat airplanes, missiles and the people that flew them

The following is from Dick Francis' son, Gavin.  He responded to my request for insight into what it was like to experience his dad...

I'll never forget the start of The Iraq War—March 20, 2003. Not because the moment engendered any kind of patriotism or politica...

It's a question that is so difficult to ask but impossible to leave behind... "What was it like?" It's the question...

You never know. Until you're there. But, you can prepare. Ok.  This post marks the beginning of "314" - an F-...

Do you remember when President George H. Bush talked about the "Thousand points of light"?  The actual quote was something like...

You know, they're all interesting.  And they're all thought-provoking. And they're all important. "They" ar...

Oh yeah ... Just look at it—do you think the aeronautical engineer's art could get much wickeder?!  When I think of my left hand ...

ORIGINALLY POSTED 14 APRIL, 2013. Rich Hall ‘flew west’ 19 April, 2024 ******* And here she is— Sweet Marlene, circa 1968. One of the ...

8,000lbs of power.   That's the burden this beast could carry. It struck me while listening to Rich describe his service, that t...

Finished—the Spitfire Steve Pisanos flew after the Eagle Squadron transferred into the USAAF's 4th Fighter Group.  It's hard...

HA! Sometimes a blind squirrel gets a nut! And that blind squirrel is ME.  Being frank, I thought my last WW2 bird was done.  Two wee...

It's begun!  The A-1E Skyraider flown by Rich Hall of the 602nd Fighter Squadron, circa 1969, Nakhon Phanom, Thailand.  Her name is ...

Finished!   There's a teeny bit to be done with the engines, but I'll handle that with a pencil on the final prints. I...

She's taking shape and about half way there.  My guess?  Two more posts.  In the meantime, things are going to get really boring.  ...