Austin Hancock

Commercial Pilot, CFI, and Museum Entrepreneur, with a subject focus on WWII Aviation. I am dedicated to building flight experience so I can fly WWII Fighters, such as the P-51 Mustang, for museums and airshows, and in the USAF Heritage Flight. I lead and run the Pennington Flight Memorial, to honor local MIA Tuskegee Airman F/O Leland “Sticky” Pennington.
11 Articles

Today In Aviation History: North American A3J-1 Vigilante Sets World Altitude Record

On December 13, 1960, a North American A3J-1 Vigilante set a new world altitude record…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter

Explore the history of the de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter, which first flew on December…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle

Discover the story behind the McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle, which first flew on December…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Aermacchi MB-326

Explore the history of the Aermacchi MB-326, the versatile Italian jet trainer that first flew…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Fiat G.80

Discover the story behind the Fiat G.80, Italy’s first homegrown jet aircraft, which made its…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Bell 206

Explore how the Bell 206 went from an overlooked Army prototype to one of the…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Bell P-63 Kingcobra

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra first flew on December 7, 1942. An improved successor to the…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed L-188 Electra

The Lockheed L-188 Electra made its first flight on December 6, 1957, becoming America’s first…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawanishi E15K Shiun

The Kawanishi E15K Shiun made its first flight on December 5, 1941. Designed as a…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Grumman S-2 Tracker

The Grumman S-2 Tracker made its first flight on December 4, 1952, becoming the U.S.…

Austin Hancock