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.
385 Articles

Aces: Ernst Strohschneider – The Fifteen Victory Leader Killed In Dark Skies

Austro-Hungarian ace Ernst Strohschneider survived multiple wounds and captivity before becoming a respected fighter leader…

Grounded Dreams: Curtiss XP-40 Q – The High-Speed Warhawk That Was Lost in Time

The Curtiss XP-40 Q was the ultimate evolution of the legendary P-40 Warhawk, reaching 422…

Pioneers of Aeronautical Engineering: Bruce Banks – The Man with Most Patents at NASAโ€™s Glenn Center

Bruce Banks helped advance NASA's electric propulsion, spacecraft coatings, and atomic oxygen research, earning a…

Grounded Dreams: Lockheed XF-90 – First US Air Force Jet to Have an Afterburner

The Lockheed XF-90 was a jet-powered long-range fighter developed to replace the P-51 Mustang, but…

Aces: Georg Von Hantelmann – How A Prussian Hussar Became A Blue Max Fighter Hero

Georg von Hantelmann was one of Germanyโ€™s youngest WWI aces, scoring 25 aerial victories in…

Grounded Dreams: Republic XP-72 – How The Fastest P-47 Successor Lost Its Wings

The Republic XP-72 was a powerful WWII fighter prototype powered by the massive Pratt &…

Pioneers of Aeronautical Engineering: Bobby Sandersโ€™ Contributions to Supersonic and Hypersonic Systems

NASA engineer Bobby Sanders pioneered advanced supersonic and hypersonic engine inlet technology, earning eight patents…

Grounded Dreams: Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III – The Ultimate Single-Seat Fighter Left Behind

The Vought XF8U-3 Crusader III was a Mach 2+ interceptor that outmaneuvered the F-4 Phantom…

Aces: Hermann Becker – The Twenty-Three Victory Hunter Of Jasta Twelve

Hermann Becker rose from aerial observer to fighter ace in WWI, scoring 23 victories and…

Grounded Dreams: Allied Aviation XLRA – The Forgotten Rocket Glider That Lost The Sky

The Allied Aviation XLRA was a WWII US Navy assault glider designed to carry Marines…