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.
384 Articles

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Nord 1401 Noroit

April 6, 1949 marked the first flight of the Nord 1401 Noroit, a French flying…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin

April 5, 1959 marked the first flight of the Aero L-29 Delfin, a Czech-built jet…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Jodel D.11

April 4, 1950 marked the first flight of the Jodel D.11, a lightweight French trainer…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Gloster F.9/37

April 3, 1939 marked the first flight of the Gloster F.9/37, a fast and agile…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Partenavia Oscar

Marking April 2, 1965, the first flight of the Partenavia Oscar, a versatile Italian light…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Last Operational Flight by an RAF Supermarine Spitfire

Discover the final operational flight of the RAF Supermarine Spitfire on April 1, 1954, marking…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Robinson R44

On March 31, 1990, the Robinson R44 first flew, becoming one of the most successful…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: New Airspeed Record Flown with Heinkel He 100

On March 30, 1939, the Heinkel He 100 set a world airspeed record of 469.22…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Vought V-141

On March 29, 1936, the Vought V-141 prototype fighter made its first flight, marking an…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mitsubishi 2MR8

On March 28, 1931, the Mitsubishi 2MR8 first flew, becoming Japan’s first military aircraft powered…

Austin Hancock