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 VL Humu Prototype

Discover the story of the VL Humu, Finland's wooden fighter prototype based on the Brewster…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the McDonnell F3H Demon

Learn the history of the McDonnell F3H Demon, the U.S. Navy's first swept-wing fighter, which…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja

Discover the history of the Kawasaki OH-1 Ninja, the Japanese reconnaissance helicopter that first flew…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Trident TR-1 Trigull

Discover the history of the Trident TR-1 Trigull, the Canadian amphibious aircraft that first flew…

Squadron Histories: The 708th Bomb Squadron and the Eighth Air Force’s War Over Europe

Discover the history of the 708th Bomb Squadron, a B-17 Flying Fortress unit of the…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Renard R.38

Explore the history of the Renard R.38, the Belgian fighter prototype that first flew on…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Blériot 5190

Discover the story of the Blériot 5190, the pioneering French flying boat that first flew…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Wright F2W

On August 2, 1923, the Wright F2W made its first flight, launching the U.S. Navy's…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Messerschmitt Me 209 V1

On August 1, 1938, the Messerschmitt Me 209 V1 made its first flight, paving the…

Today In Aviation History: First Flight of the Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr

On July 31, 1956, the Fouga CM.175 Zéphyr made its first flight, beginning the story…