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 German Aircraft Flies over Britain Post-World War I

On December 30, 1922, a Dornier Komet II became the first German aircraft to fly…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Supermarine Swift

On December 29, 1948, the Supermarine Swift made its first flight, marking a turbulent but…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mitsubishi B2M

On December 28, 1929, the Mitsubishi B2M made its first flight, marking an early chapter…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryū

On December 27, 1942, the Mitsubishi Ki-67 Hiryū flew for the first time, becoming one…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Antonov An-124 Ruslan

On December 26, 1982, the Antonov An-124 Ruslan made its first flight, introducing the largest…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Sukhoi Su-11 Fishpot-C

On December 25, 1958, the Sukhoi Su-11 Fishpot-C flew for the first time, marking an…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Apollo 8 Orbits the Moon

On December 24, 1968, Apollo 8 became the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon.…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Blackburn Roc

On December 23, 1938, the Blackburn Roc made its first flight. This article looks at…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Antonov An-72 Coaler

On December 22, 1977, the Antonov An-72 Coaler made its first flight. Designed for STOL…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Junkers Ju 88 V1 Prototype

On December 21, 1936, the Junkers Ju 88 V1 prototype made its first flight, launching…

Austin Hancock