Kapil Kajal

Kapil is a journalist with nearly a decade of experience. Reported across a wide range of beats with a particular focus on air warfare and military affairs, his work is shaped by a deep interest in twentieth‑century conflict, from both World Wars through the Cold War and Vietnam, as well as the ways these histories inform contemporary security and technology.
65 Articles

Flight Test Files: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird – Managing the Expansion of the Titanium Skin

NASA used the SR-71 Blackbird in the 1990s to study high-speed flight, propulsion, sonic booms…

Kapil Kajal

Aces of the Great War: Bruno Loerzer: The Fokker D.VII Master of 1918

WWI ace Bruno Loerzer scored 44 victories and later rose to Generaloberst in WWII, linking…

Kapil Kajal

Grounded Dreams: Ryan XV-5 Vertifan: The High Speed Hovercraft That Time Forgot

Ryan XV-5 Vertifan tested ducted-fan VTOL flight in the 1960s, proving key concepts but failing…

Kapil Kajal

Grounded Dreams: KB SAT SR-10 – The Forward Swept Future That Vanished

Russia’s SR-10 forward-swept-wing jet trainer showed strong performance but lost funding and competition, ending as…

Kapil Kajal

Flight Test Files: F-84F Thunderstreak – Testing the Limits of the 40-Degree Sweep

The F-84 Thunderjet evolved into the swept-wing F-84F Thunderstreak, aiding early jet research and NATO…

Kapil Kajal

Aces of the Great War: Michel Coiffard – The Spad Specialist of the Cigognes

Michel Coiffard, a French WWI ace, scored 34 victories, including 24 balloons, becoming one of…

Kapil Kajal

Grounded Dreams: Carmier-Arnoux Simplex – The Tailless Wonder of 1922

The Carmier-Arnoux Simplex was a tailless racing aircraft that showed promise but was lost in…

Kapil Kajal

Flight Test Files: R4D Skytrain – The JATO-Powered Carrier Launch

The R4D Skytrain served in WWII, polar missions, and NASA research, proving its versatility from…

Kapil Kajal

Boneyard Files: C-47 Skytrain – The Hero of D-Day in Silence

The C-47 Skytrain, derived from the DC-3, served in World War II and beyond, supporting…

Kapil Kajal

Aces of the Great War: Henry Woollett – The 35 Victories of the Sopwith Camel Master

Henry Woollett, Britain’s top balloon-busting ace, scored 35 victories in WWI, including 11 balloons and…

Kapil Kajal