GAME CHANGER
During September 1943, rumors abounded among the pilots in the fighter groups regarding things to come. When Chesley Peterson returned to take command of the 4th Fighter Group, he told the pilots that there was a new airplane in the works. Steve Pisanos recalled him saying, “They’re coming up with a new fighter that will be far superior to he P-38 and P-47, a kite that can be used for long-range escort.” That rumor became reality on September 26, 1943, when Pisanos returned from escorting B-17s to Les Andelys in northern France. “I taxied into the dispersal area only to find a P-51 Mustang with a four-bladed propeller parked on the grass across from my stall.” Pisanos was familiar with the Allison-powered RAF Mustang I, having flown one for 40 hours in OTU training and then another 40 operational hours with 268 Squadron before transferring to 71 Eagle Squadron. He met the pilot, Captain Jack Miller from VIII Fighter Command staff, who had flown the new Mustang to Debden, in the squadron operations office. “He told me it was equipped with a Merlin engine and that it was on loan to our group for the pilots to fly and evaluate it.”
“Monoplan de chasse allemand”
Fokker's Eindeckers, also known as monoplanes, were not revolutionary in their design. However, by mid-1915, they had surpassed their rivals by incorporating a machine gun with synchronized firing through the propeller arc. Understandably, the Allied forces were keenly interested in obtaining an undamaged Fokker E for examination.
The Last Flight of L-39C Albatros 0440
I am writing this summary on the request of a friend, mechanic and modeller. With respect to the fact that it pertains to our own activities, I will refrain from naming names, since I am not sure that my former colleagues would be agreeable with their printing. Furthermore, I must admit that I am describing an event that took place some fourteen years ago, and I cannot locate my copy of the investigation report conclusions, resulting in my going strictly by memory. I have recounted this story so many times to so many people, that I suspect that some deviation from the actual reality of it is unavoidable. So, please forgive me if the following recount is less than perfect.
When You Need to Grab the Handles…
The VS - 1 BRI ejection seat serves as the pilot's workplace in the Aero L-39 C, ZO and ZA Albatros series of aircraft, and at the same time, is there in the event of an emergency situation requiring rapid egress of the crew.
The emergency egress system of the aircraft includes two VS-1BRI ejection seats, an emergency ejection system of the cockpit canopies of both pilots, and ensuring the proper and functioning order of ejection of all components.
Air War in Ukraine - Black Month for Ukrainian Air Force and Air Defense
After capturing Avdiivka last month, the Russian advance significantly slowed down from March 1 to March 31. Following heavy losses, they had to rebuild the offensive potential of their units. However, they resumed their pressure at the end of March. The Kremlin was in a hurry to take advantage of the time before Ukraine received the expected assistance.