Austin Hancock

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.
579 Articles

Today In Aviation History: First Public Display of a Purpose-Built Warplane

On February 13, 1913, the Vickers E.F.B.1 Destroyer became the first purpose-built warplane publicly displayed,…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Sikorsky S-52

On February 12, 1947, the Sikorsky S-52 made its first flight, introducing all-metal rotor blades…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Antonov An-8

On February 11, 1956, the Antonov An-8 made its first flight, marking the Soviet Union’s…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Dornier Do 31

On February 10, 1967, the experimental Dornier Do 31 became the world’s first VTOL jet…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Convair CV-540

On February 9, 1955, the Convair CV-540 flew for the first time, marking an early…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Saab 37 Viggen

On February 8, 1967, the Saab 37 Viggen made its first flight, introducing a groundbreaking…

Today In Aviation History: First Post-WWI Speed Record Broken

On February 7, 1920, Joseph Sadi-Lecointe set the first post–World War I FAI world speed…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawanishi E7K

On February 6, 1933, the Kawanishi E7K made its first flight, introducing a Japanese naval…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Fairey Firefly II

On February 5, 1929, the Fairey Firefly II made its first flight, marking the debut…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Mitsubishi A5M Claude

On February 4, 1935, the Mitsubishi A5M Claude flew for the first time, becoming the…