Air Classics August 2021

 

ON THE COVER:

 

Pilot Chuck Gardner brings Yanks All-American Air Museum’s Curtiss Kittyhawk in tight with the camera plane for a portrait of the classic fighter. Photography by Michael O’Leary

 

FEATURES:

 

WEATHER RECON: LIGHTNING STYLE!

The P-38s of the 154th Weather Reconnaissance Squadron comprised a little-known unit that undertook a vital task for the Allied bombing campaign / by Steve Blake

 

TAKING THE WAR TO HITLER

We conclude our two-part article on creating the North American P-51B — the first truly effective USAAF long-range escort fighter / by Lowell Ford and James W. Marshall

 

UP-GUNNING THE PRIVATEER

The Consolidated PB4Y-2 proved to be an extremely effective weapon for attacking Japanese shipping and airfields. As the war moved closer to the Home Islands, numerous plans were put in place to heavily increase the Privateer’s armament / by Nicholas A. Veronico

 

YANK’S KITTYHAWK

The Curtiss Kittyhawk owned and operated by Yanks All-American Air Museum was originally built for the Royal Canadian Air Force. After extensive service protecting that nation’s vast coastline, it was sold surplus, converted into a weather modification platform, and flown next to massive thunderstorms — at night! Today, this P-40 is an immaculately restored Warbird and one of the centerpieces of this growing museum / by Michael O’Leary

 

BUILDING THE FLYING FORTRESS

Part Three on our extensive series on America’s most famous bomber sees Boeing fighting against financial losses and the Air Corps attempting to force the government into purchasing more aircraft / by Michael O’Leary

 

WHERE GOONEY BIRDS ARE REBORN

How Basler is keeping one of the world’s most classic aircraft flying — and working
/ by Ralph M. Pettersen

 

 

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT

Latest vintage and veteran aircraft news from around the world / by Doug Fisher

 

AIRLINES
News and views from the readers of Air Classics

 

CHECKLIST

Newest in aviation literature / by Nicholas A. Veronico

 

DOWN MEMORY'S RUNWAY
More classics from aviation’s glorious past / by Norm Taylor