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 Flight of the Nakajima Kikka

Eighty years ago, on August 7, 1945, Japan’s first turbojet aircraft, the Nakajima Kikka, took…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Boulton Paul P.120

On August 6, 1952, the Boulton Paul P.120, an experimental delta-wing research aircraft, made its…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the HAL HT-2

On August 5, 1951, the HAL HT-2 made its maiden flight, becoming India’s first indigenous…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the English Electric Lightning P.1A

Discover the story of the English Electric Lightning P.1A, the RAF’s iconic Mach 2 Cold…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Kyushu J7W Shinden

Discover the story of the Kyushu J7W Shinden, Japan’s radical WWII canard fighter prototype that…

Today in Aviation History: 1909 Wright Military Flyer Becomes the First U.S. Military Airplane

On August 2, 1909, the U.S. Army acquired its first military aircraft, the 1909 Wright…

C-130 ‘Saigon Lady’ to Meet ‘The Moving Wall’ Vietnam War Veterans Memorial

The mobile Vietnam Wall is coming to the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, NY, from…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura

On July 31, 1941, the Lockheed PV-1 Ventura made its first flight, launching a World…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou

The de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou made its first flight on July 30, 1958. Known for…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra

On July 29, 1937, the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra made its first flight. This…