For the youthful Americans who signed on to serve alongside Italian aviators, World War I proved to be an exciting, if hazardous, series of adventures.
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When America Needed Heroes: “Shorty” Wheless and “Buzz” Wagner
‘Shorty’ Wheless and ‘Buzz’ Wagner typified the kind of air warriors the American public was eager to recognize early on during World War II.
World War II: Eyewitness to the Raid on Magdeburg
The curtains are pulled back, revealing a big map of Europe with red ribbons leading to our target — the synthetic oil refineries near Magdeburg, Germany. There is a low murmur among the crew members as the target is announced….
Interview with World War II American Ace Frank Hurlbut
Flying over North Africa, Sicily and Italy in 1943, Frank Hurlbut helped wrest the Mediterranean sky from the best fighters and pilots the Luftwaffe had to offer.
Rudolf von Eschwege: German World War I Ace Fighter Pilot
Rudolf von Eschwege was the only German fighter pilot on World War I’s Macedonian Front, but in a little more than a year the intrepid and resourceful flier achieved 20 victories.
The Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane: RAF Icons
Although the relative merits of the two World War II aircraft continue to be debated, the dissimilar stablemates complemented one another in combat and together saved a country.
Speed and Spectacle: the 1930s National Air Races
The 1930s National Air Races tested the mettle of a new breed of pilot and showcased the cutting edge of aircraft technology.
Ernst Udet: The Rise and Fall of a German World War I Ace
Germany’s second-highest-scoring ace of World War I, the colorful and boisterous Ernst Udet, had one of the most remarkable flying careers of the first half of the 20th century.
The True Story of ‘Wrong-Way’ Corrigan’s Atlantic Adventure
Douglas Corrigan had long dreamed of being the first man to fly nonstop from New York to Dublin. When officials denied him permission for a transoceanic attempt, he was determined not to let red tape get in his way.
The 1st Aero Squadron and the Pursuit of Pancho Villa
Brig. Gen. John J. Pershing’s 1916 Mexican expedition was a learning experience for the U.S. Army’s first air arm—mainly in regard to its own deficiencies.