Today in Aviation History

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Today in Aviation History: Top Gun Opens in U.S. Theaters

On May 16, 1986, Top Gun soared into theaters, launching a cultural phenomenon that inspired…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the AMX International AMX

On May 15, 1984, the AMX International AMX made its first flight, marking the beginning…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the English Electric Canberra

On this day in aviation history, 76 years ago—May 13, 1949—the English Electric Canberra took…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Joan Merriam Smith Completes Around-the-World Flight

On this day in aviation history, 61 years ago—May 12, 1964—American pilot Joan Merriam Smith…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Douglas DC-2

On May 11, 1934, the Douglas DC-2 took its first flight, marking a major leap…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II

On May 10, 1972, the legendary Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II—better known as the Warthog—made…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe

On this day in aviation history, May 9, 1962, the Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe took to…

Austin Hancock

First Flight of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.95

On May 8, 1943, the Savoia-Marchetti SM.95, Italy’s large four-engine transport aircraft, made its maiden…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: Howard “Scrappy” Johnson Breaks World Altitude Record

On May 7, 1965, Maj. Howard "Scrappy" Johnson soared into the history books by flying…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

On May 6, 1941, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt made its first flight, launching the legacy…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Supermarine Attacker F.1

On May 5, 1950, the Supermarine Attacker F.1 took its first flight, becoming the first…

Austin Hancock

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Northrop YRB-49A Reconnaissance Aircraft

On May 4, 1950, the Northrop YRB-49A—a reconnaissance variant of the experimental YB-49 flying wing—took…

Moreno Aguiari

Today in Aviation History: First Woman Solo in USAF Undergraduate Pilot Training Program

On May 2, 1977, First Lieutenant Christine E. Schott became the first woman to solo…

Moreno Aguiari

Today in Aviation History: First Flight of the Douglas SBD Dauntless

Eighty-five years ago today, the Douglas SBD Dauntless made its first flight—ushering in an era…

Austin Hancock