Category: Anniversaries

Short notes, personal memories connected to anniversaries

First manned supersonic flight – 14 October 1947

1947 was a tumultuous year for the US armed forces. The U.S. Air Force was created as a separate service in September and on 14 October Captain Charles “Chuck” Yeager broke the sound barrier in the first manned supersonic flight. At the controls of an XS-1 rocket plane, built by Bell Aircraft. The plane was… Continue reading First manned supersonic flight – 14 October 1947

"Never in the field of human conflict was so much owned by so many to so few."

Today is Monday, August 20, the 233rd day of 2012 – in 1940 on this day, during World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill paid tribute to the Royal Air Force before the House of Commons, saying, “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owned by so many to so few.”… Continue reading "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owned by so many to so few."

60 years of commercial jet travel

If asked which airline from which country had operated the first commercial jet flight, most people would say it must have been American. But they would be wrong. It was British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) which, on 2 May 1952, made history when their De Havilland Comet flew from London to Johannesburg with 36 passengers,… Continue reading 60 years of commercial jet travel

Historic landing in Paris – 21 May 1927

On 21 May 1927 Charles A. Lindbergh landed his Spirit of St Louis near Paris completing the first solo airplane flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 33 1/2 hours. Here is a video recording the events around this historic feat. The timeline of the flight went like this: 7:52am – Charles Lindbergh takes off from Roosevelt… Continue reading Historic landing in Paris – 21 May 1927

May 15, 1930 – The first ever stewardess flies on the Oakland-Chicago run

Ellen Church was a registered nurse from Iowa and a girl in love with aviation. She even got his pilot’s license and tried to get a job with one of the airlines but in the 1930s this was a mission impossible for a woman. However she did not give up and when the folks at… Continue reading May 15, 1930 – The first ever stewardess flies on the Oakland-Chicago run

Goldtimer Birthday Party with a LI-2 and Other Beauties

Crystal clear skies with just a few fluffy cumulus clouds above Budaors Airport provided the perfect setting for this special day, the 20th Anniversary of the Goldtimer Foundation. The sun was shining down on the participants of this flying jamboree which quickly evolved into a real family event. The LI-2, shiny as new, was waiting… Continue reading Goldtimer Birthday Party with a LI-2 and Other Beauties