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 twentiethโ€‘century conflict, from both World Wars through the Cold War and Vietnam, as well as the ways these histories inform contemporary security and technology.
493 Articles

Grounded Dreams: IST XL-15 Tagak – The Sidelined Light Utility Prototype

Philippine engineers developed the ISL XL-15 Tagak using reinforced bamboo, but the innovative aircraft was…

Grounded Dreams: SNCASO SO.9000 Trident – The Anhedral Wing Rocket Hybrid Discarded

The SNCASO SO.9000 Trident was a rocket-powered French interceptor that reached nearly Mach 2 and…

Grounded Dreams: Microjet 200 – The Micro Jet Trainer Left Behind

The Microjet 200 was a lightweight two-seat jet trainer that failed to attract customers and…

Hiller: The Tale of Developer of First Civilian Helicopter to Cross the US

Hiller Aircraft pioneered West Coast helicopter manufacturing, developing the UH-12 and experimental rotorcraft while contributing…

Heavy Photographic Squadron 61: The Two-Decade Pacific Mapping Legacy Of The World Recorders

Heavy Photographic Squadron 61 (VAP-61) conducted photographic reconnaissance from 1951 to 1971, flying missions from…

Globe: The Little-Known Aircraft Maker Behind the GC-1 Swift

Globe Aircraft Corporation built the GC-1 Swift, wartime trainers and a series of target drones…

Light Attack Squadron Four: The Mekong Delta Riverine Shield Of The Black Ponies

Light Attack Squadron Four โ€œBlack Poniesโ€ flew OV-10 Broncos over Vietnamโ€™s Mekong Delta, providing surveillance,…

Grounded Dreams: Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor – The Inverse Taper Radical Born Too Soon

Republic XF-91 Thunderceptor used rocket propulsion and innovative wings to tackle high-speed interceptor challenges before…

McDonnell Douglas TAV-8B Harrier II is Now on Display at Hickory Aviation Museum

Hickory Aviation Museum welcomes TAV-8B Harrier II BuNo 164122, reassembled after its final flight at…

Grounded Dreams: Caproni Ca.90 – The Six- Engine Leviathan of the Interwar Sky

The Caproni Ca.90 was a massive six-engine Italian bomber that carried 8,000 kg of bombs…