OH-1 Ninja – Warbird Wednesday Episode #216
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Kawasaki OH-1 (nickname: “Ninja”). This is a military scout/observation helicopter developed and manufactured by the Kawasaki Aerospace Company. The primary operator is the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), who originally procured the OH-1 as a domestically produced successor to their existing OH-6D […]
Eurocopter Tiger – Warbird Wednesday Episode #215
The Eurocopter Tiger is a four-blade, twin-engine attack helicopter which first entered service in 2003. It is manufactured by Airbus Helicopters (formerly Eurocopter), which arose from the merger of Aérospatiale’s and DASA’s respective helicopter divisions. Airbus Helicopters designates it as the EC665. In France and Spain, the Tiger is known as the Tigre (which is […]
Changhe Z-10 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #214
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Changhe Z-10 (Chinese:”helicopter-10″) a Chinese medium attack helicopter developed for the People’s Liberation Army Ground Force. It is designed primarily for anti-tank warfare missions but has secondary air-to-air combat capability as well. Initiated by chief designer Wu Ximing, the project had early […]
Mil Mi-28 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #212
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Mi 28. This helicopter evolved from the Mi 24, straddling both transport and combat roles, but later became a dedicated attack helicopter. Development of the Mi 28 faced challenges, including competition from the Ka 50, resulting in a slow build rate and […]
Bu 181 Panzerjäger – Warbird Wednesday Episode #211
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the Bu 181 Panzerjäger. Also known as the Bestmann, it was primarily used as a liaison aircraft but later repurposed for combat as a “Panzer Jäger” or tank hunter. With a top speed of 134 MPH, it was an aircraft that could fly […]
Ah-56 Cheyenne – Warbird Wednesday Episode #209
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at the AH-56 Cheyenne attack helicopter and its advanced engineering, highlighting its innovative propulsion system and rigid rotor design. This aircraft was developed in response to the Army’s need for a dedicated attack helicopter during the Vietnam War era. Despite its advanced features, the […]
Mil Mi-24 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #208
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are following up last weeks episode looking at the Mil Mi-24, also known as the “Hind,” a renowned gunship helicopter, with a significant role in international military operations. Originating from the Soviet Union, the Mi-24 has continued production since its introduction in 1972 and boasts an […]
Mil Mi-4 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #207
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today we are diving into our attack helicopters segment starting with the Mil Mi-4, known as the “Hound” by NATO, a Soviet-designed attack helicopter first flown in 1952 and introduced in 1953. The Mi-4 was a significant production model, built from 1951 to 1979, with around 4,000 units […]
P6M Seamaster – Warbird Wednesday Episode #206
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Before we move onto our attack helicopter section, we wanted to visit the Martin P6M Seamaster, an amphibious bomber. This aircraft was designed as a sea-launched bomber in response to the need for atomic weapon delivery systems post-World War II. Initial prototypes faced technical challenges, including engine issues […]
DARPA Liberty Lifter – Warbird Wednesday Episode #205
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re discussing the DARPA project “Liberty Lifter,” focusing on its groundbreaking aspects. The DARPA Liberty Lifter surprisingly aims to fly 100 ft off the ground, carry 90 tons of cargo, and travel 6500 nautical miles. The design of the Liberty Lifter bears resemblance to that of an […]
HU-16 Albatross – Warbird Wednesday Episode #204
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re discussing the HU-16 Albatross in our flying boat series. Introduced in 1949, it served primarily in search and rescue missions and was retired from military service in 1995. Originally designed to land in the open ocean, it had a deep v-hole design and could land in […]
Martin JRM Mars – Warbird Wednesday Episode #203
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re discussing the Martin JRM Mars flying boat. It had its first flight in 1942 and was introduced in 1943. It was not retired from military service until 1956, making it one of the super heavy aircraft with the longest career. The philosophy at the time for […]
H-4 Hercules – Warbird Wednesday Episode #202
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re discussing the H4 Hercules, also known as the Spruce Goose, the largest flying boat ever built with the largest wingspan at the time. The H4 was made using the duramold process, a technique involving compressing wood pulp slurry, primarily Birch, with other elements to create a […]
Martin PBM Mariner – Warbird Wednesday Episode #201
Welcome to another episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we’re delving into the history of the Martin PBM Mariner, an amphibious flying boat designed in 1939 and officially introduced in 1940. Throughout World War II, the Mariner served essential roles in anti-submarine search, patrol, and search & rescue missions, equipped with advanced radar and magnetometers. Its […]
Savoia-Marchetti S.55 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #200
Welcome to our 200th episode of Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Savoia-Marchetti S.55. This Italian-designed aircraft had two passenger sections and featured Contra rotating propellers. Introduced in 1926, the S. 55 set 14 world records for speed, altitude, and distance with payload in 1954. Italian air marshal Italo Balbo used 24 S.55s […]
Beriev Be-12 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #199
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are continuing down the river looking at the Beriev Be-12. This Soviet bloc turboprop flying boat (NATO call sign “Mail”) was originally designed for maritime interdiction and anti-submarine roles but later adapted for search and rescue. Introduced in 1960, the Be-12 had a top speed of 330 mph, a […]
Short Sunderland – Warbird Wednesday Episode #198
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Short Sunderland flying boat. The Short Sunderland was a prominent flying boat during World War II, known for its versatility and effectiveness in anti-submarine warfare. The aircraft was first flown in 1937, introduced in 1938, and retired in 1959, with a total of 749 units […]
Kawanishi H8K – Warbird Wednesday Episode #197
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Kawanishi H8K, also known as the Allied code name “Emily.” The Kawanishi H8K, or Emily, was a Japanese flying boat introduced in 1942, retired in 1945, and widely regarded as the best flying boat of World War II. The Emily was known for its versatility, […]
Dornier DO X – Warbird Wednesday Episode #196
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Dornier DO X, an interwar flying boat with (According to Fred) a gorgeous Art Deco design, first flown in 1929 and retired in 1937. With only three units built, this extremely rare aircraft was financed by the German Transport Ministry to circumvent the Treaty of […]
PB2Y Coronado – Warbird Wednesday Episode #195
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado. The PB2Y Coronado was a flying boat used for transport, patrol, and light attack during World War II. It cost $300,000 in early 1940, three times the cost of the PBY Catalina, limiting production to 217 units. The aircraft had a range […]
BV 222 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #194
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today, we are looking at the Blohm & Voss BV 222, a German flying boat designed in 1938, with a 150-foot wingspan, making it the largest German flying boat of World War II. Despite being a military aircraft, the BV 222 initially flew under civilian registration and livery. It first flew […]
Douglas RD-2 Dolphin – Warbird Wednesday Episode #193
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Since this is the episode before Thanksgiving we wanted to give a special thanks to all our viewers and all our supporters who have helped us grow our following by leaps and bounds. Thank you to Greg and Kevin for making sure the technical stuff is always tightened up and we […]
KC-46 Pegasus – Warbird Wednesday Episode #160
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we will discuss the KC-46 Pegasus, a new aircraft designed to replace the aging KC-135 fleet for the US Air Force’s air refueling needs. The KC-46 is a modern design, with its first flight in 2015 and acceptance in 2019, since it has faced various issues. Despite its challenges, this […]
Warbird Wednesday: KC-97 Stratotanker
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are visiting the KC-97 Stratotanker aircraft, which was used as both a tanker and cargo plane. It was a larger version of the B-29 design, with two pressurized decks, a right cargo door, and a flying boom for aerial refueling. It was introduced in 1951 and retired in 1978, […]
Gulfstream TC-4 Academe (G1) – Warbird Wednesday Episode #150
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are continuing down the cargo/transport plane lane with a little more obscure aircraft. The Grumman Gulfstream I, originally known as the G159 when it was a working aircraft, it became the Gulfstream I when it transitioned over to civilian use. After WWII there were not a lot of higher-end […]
Junkers JU-52 – Warbird Wednesday Episode #146
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are looking at one of the most prolific and recognizable transport aircraft in the World, the Junkers JU-52 also nicknamed “Aunt Ju” or “Iron Annie” by German paratroopers. You might recognize this plane, as it is very similar to the Ford Tri-Motor. The aircraft’s first flight was in […]
The Quest For Excellence: USNTPS Glider, Beaver, Otter, & T6 (pt 4) – Warbird Wednesday Episode #142
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are taking you back on the road to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. This week, we are headed into the “Toy Chest,” the hangar that houses most of the training aircrafts. They showcased and educated us on a few particular aircrafts and how they […]
The Quest for Excellence: U.S. Naval Test Pilot School (Part 3) Warbird Wednesday Episode #141
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are taking you back on the road to the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Maryland. This week, we are speaking with Wei Fug Lee, who is an instructor at that school, as well as an Air Force civilian engineer. He explains that part of his job […]
North American F-82 Twin Mustang
Welcome to Warbird Wednesday! Today we are visiting the last night fighter, the North American F-82 Twin Mustang, which was originally designed as a long-range escort fighter for the Boeing B-29 Superfortress in WWII. This aircraft was introduced in 1946, after the war had ended. With fast speeds of about 460 mph, this aircraft was dominantly used […]