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

The Norden Bombsight’s Hawk-Eye

How the City of Rochester, NY, gave a top-secret WWII weapon its sight.

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) is Established

On March 3, 1915, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) was officially established by…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Concorde

On March 2, 1969, the Concorde took flight for the first time, ushering in a…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Bachem Ba 349 “Natter”

On March 1, 1945, the Bachem Ba 349 “Natter” made its first and only manned…

Austin Hancock

Building The Last B-36 ‘Peacemaker’…in a Garage

One man’s epic journey to build the long-range nuclear bomber from scratch

Austin Hancock

A Visit with Elmer: Spending an Afternoon With a World War II P-51 Pilot

Austin Hancock recalls his experience meeting WWII pilot Elmer Pankratz at the Geneseo Airshow.

Austin Hancock

The Pennington P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ Tuskegee Flight Memorial (Part 5)

In this series, Austin Hancock of the National Warplane Museum tells the story of his…

Austin Hancock

The Pennington P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ Tuskegee Flight Memorial (Part 4)

In this series, Austin Hancock of the National Warplane Museum tells the story of his…

Austin Hancock

The Pennington P-51 ‘Lucy Gal’ Tuskegee Flight Memorial (Part 3)

In this series, Austin Hancock of the National Warplane Museum tells the story of his…

Austin Hancock

House of The B-23 Dragon

An out of the way hangar at the National Warplane Museum houses a rare Douglas…

Austin Hancock