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 โ€œStickyโ€ Pennington.
627 Articles

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Hawker Hind

On this day in 1935, the Hawker Hind flew for the first time. Discover the…

Today in Aviation History: Womenโ€™s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (WAFS) Established

On September 10, 1942, the U.S. Army Air Forces established the Womenโ€™s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Breguet 521

On September 11, 1933, the Breguet 521 Bizerte, a French long-range reconnaissance seaplane, made its…

Today in Aviation History: Captain Charles DeBellevue Becomes Highest Scoring American Ace in the Vietnam War

On September 9, 1972, Captain Charles DeBellevue became the highest scoring American ace of the…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Vultee P-66 Vanguard

On September 8, 1939, the Vultee P-66 Vanguard made its first flight. Built for Sweden…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the AH-1 Cobra

The Bell AH-1 Cobra first flew on September 7, 1965. Explore the history, combat record,…

Today in Aviation History: First Douglas SBD Dauntless Delivered to the U.S. Navy

Eighty-five years ago, the U.S. Navy took delivery of its first Douglas SBD Dauntless. Discover…

Today in Aviation History: Space Shuttle Discovery Completes First Space Flight

On this day in 1984, Space Shuttle Discovery completed its first space flight. Learn about…

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Lockheed JetStar

On September 4, 1957, Lockheed JetStar, the first purpose-built private jet, took flightโ€”becoming a business…

Today in Aviation History: Jimmy Doolittle Sets a New Airspeed Record

On September 3, 1932, Jimmy Doolittle set a world airspeed record of 309.04 mph in…