Apr 22, 2016 | AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 ED VR II, Aviation, B-25 Mitchell, Daily Image 2016, Nikon D3x
April 18th marked the 74th anniversary of the Doolittle Raid. This B-25 image was captured in 2012 during the Doolittle Raid Reunion on the 70th anniversary. 20 B-25s converged on Grimes Field in Urbana, OH. They took off and flew in formation to Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH; where the surviving members of the raid were honored. Today, only a couple are still with us. For a first hand account of B-25 activities at the 70th Doolittle Raider reunion: B-25s at the 70th Doolittle Raiders Reunion.
North American B-25 Mitchell, a twin-engine bomber, was used by the Allied air forces in World War II. It became the most heavily armed airplane of its time and was used for bombing, strafing, photo reconnaissance, submarine patrol, and even as a fighter. Named for famed Brigadier General William “Billy” Mitchell, it was a twin-tail, mid-wing land monoplane powered by two 1,700-horsepower Wright Cyclone engines. Normal bomb capacity was 5,000 pounds. Some were fitted with carried 75 mm cannon and .50-caliber machine guns.
Apr 21, 2016 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3, Walkabout
You just never know what kind of shot you might find on a walkabout, out back.
Apr 20, 2016 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3, T-33 Shooting Star
The Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star, T-Bird, jet trainer made its first flight in 1948. With a crew of two, its service ceiling is 48,000 feet while cruising at 396 knots. As well as serving as a trainer, it served in numerous roles in the Navy and Air Force until being retired in 1997.
Apr 19, 2016 | AF-S 70-300mm f4.5-5.6G IF-ED VR, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3, Stearman
The Red Baron Stearman, a Stearman E75; the last remaining Stearman of the Red Baron Pizza aerobatic team, was built in 1943. It was just one of many cool planes at the first annual TBM Avenger reunion last weekend in Peru, IL.
Apr 18, 2016 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, L-39 Albatros, Nikon 1 V3
The Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer. It’s the first trainer to be equipped with a turbofan engine. More than 2,800 L-39s have served in over 30 countries around the world. The Albatros is the most widely used jet trainer in the world and has also flown combat missions.
Apr 17, 2016 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, A-1 Skyraider, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, Nikon 1 V3
The A-1 Skyraider entered service in December 1946 and saw combat in both Korea and Vietnam. A total of 3,180 aircraft were produced before production ended in 1957. With a cruising speed of 170 to 200 kts, a level attack speed of 260 kts, and a maximum sea level red-line speed of 410 kts, the Skyraider hugged the terrain below enemy radar coverage and delivered ordnance loads up to 8000 pounds. It’s pilots and crews bestowed many names on the Skyraider: Sandy, Spad, Hobo, Zorro, Firefly. On 10 April 1968, the U.S. Navy officially retired the Able Dog.
Apr 16, 2016 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger, Nikon 1 V3
The Grumman TBM Avenger is a torpedo bomber developed for the Navy and Marine Corps. It entered service in 1942 and first saw action during the Battle of Midway. Although five Avengers were lost at Midway, it became one of the outstanding torpedo bombers of the war. It remained in service until the 1960s after several modifications.
Apr 15, 2016 | 1 VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6, Aviation, Daily Image 2016, Helicopter, Nikon 1 V3, UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter
The Black Hawk Helicopter is a four-bladed, twin-engine helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979, as the Army’s tactical transport helicopter. Then electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk were developed. Black Hawks have served in many combat operations. Today, they were practicing formation takeoffs and landings at the airport.