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: First Flight of the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing  

On November 4, 1932, the Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing made its first flight. Designed by…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Modified X-15A-2 Rocketplane

On November 3, 1965, Major Robert Rushworth made the first flight of the modified X-15A-2…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Hughes H-4 Hercules – “Spruce Goose”

On November 2, 1947, Howard Hughes flew the H-4 Hercules—known as the “Spruce Goose”—for the…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Bomb Drop from Airplane in War

On November 1, 1911, Italian aviator Lt. Giulio Gavotti made history by conducting the first…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Budd RB Conestoga

On October 31, 1943, the Budd RB Conestoga flew for the first time. Built from…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History Eddie Rickenbacker’s Last Aerial Victory

On October 30, 1918, Eddie Rickenbacker achieved his last aerial victory, cementing his status as…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: Canadair CT-114 Tutor Enters RCAF Service

On October 29, 1963, the Canadair CT-114 Tutor joined the RCAF, later gaining fame as…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: October 28th First Flight of the North American FJ-4 Fury

On October 28, 1954, the North American FJ-4 Fury made its first flight, marking a…

Austin Hancock

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the North American P-51 Mustang

On October 26, 1940, the North American P-51 Mustang made its first flight, marking the…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Saab 35 Draken

Discover the history of the Saab 35 Draken, which first flew on October 25, 1955.…

Austin Hancock