Michael Dunbar

Half a century ago a lone, single-engine monoplane, dangerously overloaded with fuel, lumbered down a muddy landing strip at Roosevelt Field in New York and strained into the air, barely clearing trees and telephone wires at the end of the runway. Piloted by a young and unknown airmail pilot, this "Spirit of St. Louis" climbed, veered away from the runway and headed east-by-northeast toward Paris, France more than 3,600 miles away across the North Atlantic.
It was an undertaking of show more incredible proportions -- never before had anyone successfully navigated a non-stop solo transatlantic journey. There had been many well-publicized attempts to make the crossing; all had been followed by an equal number of spectacular failures. The stage was set for Charles Augustus Lindbergh and his newly-constructed but virtually untested "Spirit of St. Louis." From the young, barnstorming mail pilot with the impossible dream to the world hero hounded, if not destroyed, by mass adulation, this then is the story of Charles Lindbergh and his quest to cross the Atlantic. show less

THE NAVY'S AlR EXPRESS
They downed no enemy planes, bombed no battleships, strafed no subs. They were, instead, the backbone support of men on the battle lines from Alaska to the Solomons, from the North Atlantic to North Africa. They fought the weather fronts from the winds of the arctic to the tropical storms of the Caribbean and South Pacific. Through all this and more they delivered the crucial goods necessary for victory. Author Clarke Van Vleet has pieced together a stirring story of show more man and machine, of good old Yankee ingenuity and integrity tempered with a lot of hard work. The result is an exciting account of the development of America's air cargo trade system -- the finest such system in the world.

STEARMAN!
To an uneducated layman all biplanes look alike; to the buff, however, every biplane ever produced carries with it special and individual memories: visions of graceful wings, slender fuselages, humming wires and popping exhausts. But of all the great names in biplane history, one stands out as being almost synonymous with the word biplane -- Stearman. The Stearman Kaydet biplane is probably the most widely-recognized airplane in the history of aviation. Author Jay Miller has compiled a factual history of this fabulous airplane. Together with some of the greatest Stearman photographs ever taken, his article is perhaps the most comprehensive look ever at this versatile and beautiful classic. show less

Yellow Peril by Brian Andersen
The N3N-3 was christened "Yellow Peril" by Navy flight instructors and students in 1941 because of its bright color, biplane configuration, and wartime usage. For two decades the plane served as a primary trainer before being reassigned by civilian owners to agricultural duties. During its career, Yellow Peril 2951 has proven its effectiveness as a Navy trainer, its durability as a crop duster, and its undying appeal as a vintage air show attraction. The show more "classic" Yellow Peril has the distinction also of being the last biplane to be retired (1961) from active military service.

Gustav Hamel: Airmail Pioneer by Michael E. Hamel-Green
Gustav Hamel's accomplishments in the fledgling world of aviation were historic and of a lasting significance. Described by Louis Bleriot as his "most apt pupil," Hamel first distinguished himself as a successful air race contestant. In 1911 he attracted national attention by flying the "First United Kingdom Aerial Post" as part of the coronation program of King George V. Following his celebrated flight from Hendon Aerodrome to Windsor Castle, Hamel became a favorite among London society. He also resumed his career as an exhibition flier and introduced innovative and daring concepts regarding the military applications of aviation. An acquaintance of the Royal Family, a friend and advisor to Sir Winston Churchill, and a genuine national hero, Gustav Hamel disappeared in a tragic flight over the English Channel just prior to the outbreak of World War 1.

The Great Warbirds, 1914-1918 by Dale L. Walker
Part III of this four part series features Germany as its subject, and describes the origin and development of her early twentieth century air force. In addition to a gallery of historic aircraft, the infamous "Fokker Scourge" and such notorious figures as Manfred von Richthofen in his scarlet triplane are included in the author's account of Germany's memorable contributions in The Great War.

The Blue Angels by Alvin S. Fick
The world's most famous flight demonstration team, the Blue Angels have earned a reputation for high speed maneuvers and precision flying. Conceived as a recruiting program by the U.S. Navy immediately after World War II, the Blue Angels of today log more than 125,000 miles during the course of a complete show season. Performing around the globe, they dazzle audiences with their incomparable aerial skills, the awesome power of their aircraft, and the poetic grace of their flight program. "Diamonds and Deltas in the Sky" chronicles the history of the Blue Angels, and describes in detail their current program and the rigorous training the select corps of pilots undergo in preparation for their flight "along the edge." Alvin S. Fick's article is being presented in two parts in AVIATION QUARTERLY. show less

WE DIE IN GLORY: A Fond Reminiscence of the Air-War Pulps
Lucky Lindy may have started them; the great depression almost certainly killed them. In the decade or so they lasted, they were wondrous things to behold, to hold, and to read. They were full of blazing machine guns, Fokkers in death dives, Limeys, Yanks, Huns and the Kaiser. The colors were garish, the covers sensational, and for 10 cents you could buy 128 pages of pure escapism. Dale L. Walker has revived the pulps in all their show more glory in this delightful reminiscence written especially for AQ readers.

THE GASBAG ERA: The Early Years of the Airship in America
The era of the gasbag in America was a short one, but nonetheless an historic and important one in aviation annals. The period of enthusiasm for these delicate craft lasted scarcely a decade, yet they were vitally important because they bridged the gap between the classic free balloon of the 19th century and the airplane of the 20th. Perhaps more importantly, they served as a training ground for a small band of daredevils who would become the first generation of American airplane pilots.

THE RED RIPPERS: 50 Years of Naval Fighter Aviation
This year the U.S. Navy's Red Rippers celebrate 50 years of flying fighter aircraft in support and defense of our nation. From the original Curtiss Hawk to the McDonnell Douglas Phantom the history of the Red Rippers is the history of naval fighter aviation. In his AQ debut, author Jeff Ethell presents an exciting and comprehensive history of this famous fighting unit.

THE EXOTIC BIRDS OF DRYDEN: A Pictorial Essay
Since 1946, the Hugh L. Dryden Flight Research Center of NASA has played a pivotal and critical role in America's aerospace development. Supersonic flight was born above the center, and the pilots who have flown there are as legendary as the planes they flew. Dr. Richard P. HalIion, Curator of the Science and Technology Division of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, has compiled and exciting and comprehensive pictorial essay that chronicles the development of Dryden, and with it the development of American aerospace technology. show less