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.
493 Articles

Aces of War: Leonard Rochford – The Master of the Sopwith Camel

Leonard Rochford, a self-trained WWI flying ace, scored 29 victories and later served in WWII,…

Grounded Dreams: Northrop X-21A – The Wing That Breathed

Northrop X-21A tested laminar flow control to reduce drag and improve efficiency, proving the concept…

Grounded Dreams: Northrop YF-17 – From Air Force Rejection to the F/A-18 Hornet

Northrop YF-17 lost the US Air Force’s Lightweight Fighter contest but evolved into the F/A-18…

Flight Test Files: Beechcraft B200 Super King Air – The Workhorse Behind Critical NASA Missions

Beechcraft B200 Super King Air serves NASA as a versatile research aircraft, supporting radar, ocean…

Aces of War: Marcel Haegelen – The Two-War Defender of France

Marcel Haegelen was a French ace who scored 23 victories in WWI and added another…

Grounded Dreams: Hughes XV-9 – Pioneering Hot-Cycle Propulsion in Helicopters

Hughes XV-9 tested hot-cycle propulsion with tip-jet rotors in the 1960s, proving the concept but…

Flight Test Files: NASA Guppy Family – The Giants Behind America’s Space Race Victory

The NASA Guppy family, from the Pregnant Guppy to Super Guppy Turbine, enabled rapid transport…

Flight Test Files: Boeing B-52B – The High Altitude Launchpad of NASA

NASA’s Boeing B-52B served as a launch platform for X-15, Pegasus and X-43 programs, supporting…

Aces of War: Heinrich Gontermann – The Blue Max Hero of Jasta 15

Heinrich Gontermann, a German WWI ace with 39 victories, rose from cavalry officer to fighter…

Grounded Dreams: Promavia Jet Squalus – A Belated Attempt to Redefine Pilot Training

Promavia Jet Squalus was a lightweight multi-role trainer designed for military and civilian use, but…