A July 17th “Fourfer” Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com July 17th was an epic day in aviation history that includes at least two massive aviation tragedies and two positive aviation events. I like to focus on the positive (my call sign when I was on active duty was “Sunny” because of my alleged “sunny”…
How far we’ve come: Mariner 4 Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com What were you doing and where were you in 1965? Some of us were kids (I was 12). Some of us weren’t even a glimmer in our old man’s eye. Some of us were adults, already making a difference in our world. In…
Today in Aviation History: The USS Vincennes Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: Wikipedia, The Fog of War: USS Vincennes Tragedy Aviation history includes some wonderful moments of success, joy, grit, and triumph, all events we should celebrate. Unfortunately, like life, aviation history also includes tragedies, horrible mistakes, overconfidence, and incomprehensible sadness. And if we’re to…
On This Day in Aviation History: Amelia’s Disappearance Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com Perhaps there is no lingering aviation mystery greater than that of Amelia Earhart and her navigator’s, Fred Noonan, disappearance 87 years ago today. My mom was to be 9-years-old at the end of July in 1937 and she loved Amelia Earhart. …
The Berlin Airlift Begins Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com Our car temperature gauge showed 102 degrees driving through Southern Pines this afternoon. I doubt the Germans had to deal with these kinds of temperatures back in 1948 but it WAS summertime when the airlift started. Thank God for America and England for stepping up…
Aviation Archives: P-51 Mustang Contributor: Riley Yelverton Sources: National Museum of The United States Air Force, The National WWII Museum The P-51 Mustang is often hailed as the best fighter of World War II due to its remarkable blend of speed, range, maneuverability, and firepower. Its versatility allowed it to excel in various roles…
On This Day in Aviation History: The Great Marianas Turkey Shoot Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com, Wikipedia For the uninformed, a turkey shoot is a term for a fund-raising contest where shooters vie for a fresh or frozen turkey by shooting at targets. In the past (and perhaps in some places still in more…
On This Day in Aviation History: Sally Ride. First American Woman in Space Contributor: Barry Fetzer Sources: History.com For most of us (including me), being good at many things, and I mean “good” at a professional level, is a nothing but a pipe dream. And then you add being first at something to being…