Model Aircrafts and Ships

STS-122: 24th Shuttle Mission to the ISS

2008-02-13T21:43:00.000-08:00

STS-122 was launched on the 7^th of February 2008. It is the current NASA Space Shuttle mission to the International Space Station or ISS. The STS-122 is being flown by Space Shuttle Atlantis.

Space Shuttle Atlantis

The STS-122 primary objective is to deliver the Columbus science laboratory to the station and to return Expedition 16 Flight Engineer Daniel M. Tani to Earth and he will be replaced by Leopold Eyharts.

The mission STS-122 original target launch date was on the 6^th of December 2007 but postponed to the 9^th of December due to ECO reading errors but on the second attempt sensors failed again and the launch was stopped. Fortunately on its third attempt no problem occurred.

STS-122 Mission Crew:

Stephen Frick – Commander
Alan G. Poindexter – Pilot
Leland D. Melvin – Mission Specialist 1
Rex J. Walheim – Mission Specialist 2
Hans Schlegel – Mission Specialist 3
Stanley G. Love – Mission Specialist 4

Mission Marks:

152^nd manned US space launch
121^st space shuttle flight since STS-1
24^th shuttle mission to the International Space Station
96^th post-Challenger mission
8^th post-Columbia mission
8^th visit to the International Space Station for Atlantis
300^th US astronaut in space

Atlantis Orbiter

Space Shuttle Discovery out on another Mission (Designation STS-82)

2008-02-10T22:01:00.000-08:00

February 11, 1997 – Space Shuttle Discovery is launched on a mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope.

STS-82 Mission

The STS-82 was a mission of the US Space Shuttle. It was the second in a series of planned servicing mission to the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The mission used the Space Shuttle Discovery. And the mission had duration of 9 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, and 09 seconds.

NASA: Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Discovery has an Orbiter Vehicle Designation of OV-123. It was one of the three currently operational spacecraft of NASA. It was the third operational orbiter and now the oldest orbiter in the service. It was used on a lot of missions, one of which was the STS-31 on the 24^th of April 1990. It launched the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The duration of the mission was 5 days, 01 hours, 16 minutes, and 06 seconds.

The Hubble Space Telescope was a telescope in orbit around the world. It was named after Edwin Hubble, a known American astronomer. It became one of the most important instruments in the history of astronomy.

Space Shuttle Discovery

The HST was placed on orbit by the Space Shuttle Discovery on the 24^th of April 1990 through STS-31 mission. The Space Shuttle Endeavour was the use in the first servicing mission known as the STS-61. The services performed on the telescope significantly helped upgrade the scientific capabilities of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST).

Space Shuttle Endeavour

The STS-82 crews are:

Kenneth D. Bowersox - Commander
Scott J. Horowitz - Pilot
Mark C. Lee - Mission Specialist
Steven A. Hawley - Mission Specialist
Gregory J. Harbaugh - Mission Specialist
Steven L. Smith - Mission Specialist
Joseph R. Tanner - Mission Specialist

Ronald Reagan: The 40th President of the United States

2008-02-05T22:27:00.000-08:00

Former President Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was born on the 6^th of February 1911 in Tampico, Illinois to John Reagan and Nelle Wilson Reagan. He was nicknamed Dutch by his father due to his fat little Dutchman appearance and Dutchboy haircut.

Ronald Reagan once affiliated with entertainment. In 1932, he worked at a radio stations WOC in Davenport Iowa and WHO in Des Moines as an announcer. And in 1937 he took a screen test that led to a seven year contract with Warner Brothers.

On the 29^th of April 1937 he enlisted himself in the Army Enlisted Reserve as a private assigned to Troop B, 322^nd Cavalry at Des Moines, Iowa. On the 18^th of April 1942 he was ordered to active duty for the first time but he was classified for limited service only due to his nearsightedness.

In 1950s he had fewer film roles and so he moved to television and hosts the General Electric Theater. His final work as a professional actor was as a host and performer on the television series Death Valley Days.

On the 26^th of January 1940, Reagan marries Jane Wyman. Together they had two children, Maureen and Christine and adopted a third, Michael. On the 28^th of June 1948, they divorced following arguments about Reagan’s political ambitions.

Nancy Davis Reagan

On the 4^th of March 1952, Reagan married Nancy Davis. They had two children, Patti and Ron. Observers described the relationship of the couple as close, real, and intimate.

Political Career:

January 3, 1967 to January 7, 1975 – 33^rd Governor of California

- “to send the welfare bums back to work”

- “to clean up the mess at Berkeley”

- He froze government hiring and approved tax hikes to balance budget.

January 20, 1981 to January 20, 1989 – 40^th President of the United States

- “I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent’s youth and inexperience.”

Post Presidential Years:

November 4, 1991 - Ronald Reagan Presidential Library was dedicated and opened to the public.

1994 – He was diagnosed of Alzheimer’s disease.

- “I now begin the journey that will lead me into the sunset of my life. I know that for America there will always be a bright dawn ahead. Thank you, my friends. May God Always bless you.”

On the 5^th of June 2004, Reagan died at his home in Bel-Air, California. He died at the age of 93 after 10 years of Alzheimer’s disease. His burial site is inscribed with the words he delivered upon opening of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.

“I know in my heart that man is good. That what is right will always eventually triumph. And there’s purpose and worth to each and every life.”

Honors (to name a few):

Ships:

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76) – a nuclear powered aircraft carrier

USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76)

Institutions:

- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Center for Public Affairs (Simi Valley, California)

- Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site (Dixon, Illinois)

Schools:

- Ronald Reagan Elementary School (Bakersfield, California)

- Ronald Reagan Sports Park (Diamond Bar, California)

- Reagan Physical Education Center (Illinois)

Roads:

- Ronald Reagan Freeway (California)

- Ronald Reagan Highway (Illinois)

Charles Lindbergh: The Lone Eagle

2008-02-03T23:01:00.000-08:00

“If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea. — CAL”

February 04 1902 – Charles Lindbergh, American pilot (d. 1974).

Charles Lindbergh: the Lone Eagle

Charles Augustus Lindbergh was born on the 4^th of February 1902 in Detroit to Charles Augustus Lindbergh, Sr. and Evangeline Lodge Land. During his early age, he already showed his exceptional mechanical ability. At the age of 18, he entered the University of Wisconsin and study engineering but he later left school and became barnstormer as he was more interested in the exciting, young field of aviation than school.

1924 – He enlisted in the US Army so he can be trained as an Army Air Service Reserve pilot.

1925 – He graduated from the Army’s flight training school and he was awarded as the best pilot in his class.

After Army Training – He was hired by the Robertson Aircraft Corporation of St. Louis and he flies the mail between St. Louis and Chicago. He gained reputation as a cautious and capable pilot.

In 1919, Raymond Orteig, owner of New York City Hotel offered $25,000 to the first aviator to fly nonstop from New York to Paris and it cost the lives of the pilots who joined the competition and some got injured. And until 1927 no one won the said competition.

Charles Lindbergh believed that he could win it only if he had the right airplane and so he persuaded St. Louis businessmen to help him in finance and he chose Ryan Aeronautical Company to manufacture the special plane which he also helped to design. He named it the Spirit of St. Louis. He tested the plane by flying from San Diego to New York City with overnight nonstop in St. Louis on the 10^th and 11^th of May 1927. It took 20 hours and 21 minutes which is a transcontinental record.

On the 20^th of May 1927, he took off the Spirit of St. Louis from Roosevelt Field near New York City and he landed at Le Bourget Field near Paris on the 21^st of May. The nonstop New York to Paris flight in the Spirit of St. Louis made him the first man to fly the Atlantic solo. Thousands of people gathered to meet him and he became an international hero and the most famous man in the world during that time.

Spirit of St. Louis

On the 27^th of May 1929, he married Anne Morrow Lindbergh, daughter of the diplomat Dwight Morrow. He thought her how to fly and they went on many expeditions together. Anne became famous for her poetry and other writings. The couple had six children: Charles Augustus Lindbergh III (1930-1932); Jon (16^th August 1932); Land (1937), studied anthropology; Anne (1940-1993); Scott (1942); and Reeve (1945), writer.

Lindbergh had an affair with Brigitte Hesshaimer, a German hat maker and they had three children: Dryk (1958); Astrid (1960); and David (1967). They managed to keep the affair secret even with their children but Astrid later read a magazine and found out the truth. She did not disclose the affair until both Brigitte and Anne Morrow Lindbergh had died.

Charles Augustus Lindbergh died on the 26^th of August 1974 of lymphoma on the Hawaiian island of Maui. He was buried on the grounds of Palapala Ho’omau Church in Kipahulu, Maui.

Charles Lindbergh’s grave

Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.: United States Aircraft Industrialist

2008-01-31T22:18:00.000-08:00

February 01 1981 - Donald Wills Douglas, Sr., American aircraft manufacturer died (b. 1892)

Douglas Wills Douglas, Sr. was born on the 6^th of April 1892 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the second son of an assistant cashier of the National Park Bank. He started his education at Trinity Chapel School in New York City. At the age of 17, he entered the US Naval Academy where he spent much of his time building and testing model airplanes but in 1912 he left the Naval Academy and look for aeronautical engineering works.

Donald Wills Douglas, Sr.

Donald Douglas later realized that he needed to learn more about it and so he completed a four-year bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in only two years and he was immediately hired as an assistant professor in aeronautics in MIT due to his academic performance.

Work History:

1915 – Consultant to the Connecticut Aircraft Co.

August 1915 – Joined Glenn L. Martin Co. as chief engineer.

1916 – Served briefly as chief civilian aeronautical engineer for the Army Signal Corps Aviation Section in Washington, D.C.
- Chief Engineer in charge of building the MB-1 twin-engine bomber for the US Army.

1920 – He worked as a laborer, hoeing potatoes, and washing cars.
- Davis-Douglas Co. was formed

1921 – Davis lost interest and sold out the company to Douglas and the Douglas Co. was founded.

The Douglas Aircraft Company was an American aerospace manufacturer. It was founded in July 1921 by Donald Wills Douglas Sr. The Company was most famous for their Douglas Commercial much known as the DC series of commercial aircraft which includes the DC-3, a transport aircraft where the C-47 Skytrain was developed from.

Douglas DC-3

In 1967, due to quality and cash flow problems plus the combined shortages due to the Vietnam War, Douglas agrees to a merger with McDonnell Aircraft Corporation and form the McDonnell Douglas. In 1997, the McDonnell Douglas merged with Boeing.

Some Aircrafts built by Douglas Aircraft Company:

TBD-1 Devastator

A Torpedo Bomber used by the United States Navy.

A-26 Invader

It was a twin-engined light attack bomber used by the US Army Air Forces.

A-1H Skyraider

It was an attack aircraft used by the US Navy.

Douglas DC-6B

It was a piston-powered airliner and transport aircraft.

C-124 Globemaster

It was a heavy-lift military transport aircraft used by the US Air Force.

A-4 Skyhawk

It was an attack aircraft used by the US Navy.

Mid-Air Collision on their Final Test Flight: Douglas DC-7 and F-89 Scorpion

2008-01-30T23:13:00.000-08:00

“It was a trauma and a great loss.”

January 31 1957 - Eight people on the ground in Pacoima, California are killed following the mid-air collision between a Douglas DC-7 airliner and a Northrop F-89 Scorpion fighter jet.

Pacoima Junior High School after the Crash

On the 31^st January 1957, on the final functional test flight of the new airliner Douglas DC-7B (N8210H) aircraft before it was delivered to Continental Airlines and Northrop F-89D Scorpion on a similar test flight took off. Both performed their individual tests at an altitude of 25,000 feet in clear skies over the San Fernando Valley when a high-speed, near head on midair collision occurred.

Douglas DC-7B: American Airlines

The Douglas DC-7B was a variant of DC-7, an airliner/transport aircraft. The DC-7 and DC-7B was identical except for the increased fuel capacity in extended engine nacelles that extended the flight range of the later variant.

Northrop F-89D Scorpion

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion was a jet powered all weather interceptors. Its variant F-89D was the main production version with removed cannon and new Hughes E-6 fire control system with AN/APG-40 radar and an AN/APA-84 computer.

The midair collision results to the loss of all the Douglas DC-7B crew, 1 of 2 occupants of F-89D, and 3 junior high school students on the ground. The Douglas DC-7B crews are the pilot William Carr, 36; co-pilot Archie R. Twitchell, 50, a veteran flier and a part-time actor and appeared in over 70 films which include “I Wanted Wings” and “Among the Living”; the flight engineer Waldo B. Adams, 42; and the radio operator Roy Nakazama, 29. And the three dead boys are Ronnie Brann, Bob Zallan, and Evan Elsner.

The probable cause of the crash was said to be the high rate of near head on closure at high altitude, together with physiological limitations that resulted in a minimum avoidance opportunity during which the pilots didn’t see each other’s aircraft.

The midair collision and the outrage over the deaths led to the construction of a hospital in Pacoima and a ban on military operations over the Valley.

George H. W. Bush: a Captain of Varsity, a Naval Aviator, & the US President

2008-01-29T23:04:00.000-08:00

George H.W. Bush

George Herbert Walker Bush was born on the 12^th of June 1924 in their Victorian house in Massachusetts to Senator Prescott Bush and Dorothy Walker Bush. He began his formal education at the Greenwich Country Day School in Greenwich where his family moved shortly after his birth.

In 1936, he attended Phillips Academy and there he held a large number of leadership positions which includes being the captain of both the varsity baseball and soccer teams.

In June 1942 after graduating from Phillips Academy, he joined the US Navy and became a naval aviator on his 18^th birthday. On the 9^th of June 1943, he was commissioned and ensign in the US Naval Reserve at Corpus Christi, Texas and it made him the youngest naval aviator to that date. He piloted one of four Grumman TBM Avenger on one of his mission. In September 1945, he was honorably discharged from the service and he then entered Yale University.

TBF (TMB) Avenger

Soon after graduating from Yale University he became involved in politics. On the 3^rd of January 1967 to 1971 he was a member of the US House of Representatives from 7^th District of Texas. In 1971 to 1973, he became the 10^th US Ambassador to the United Nations. On the 30^th of January 1976, he became the 11^th Director of Central Intelligence Agency. On the 20^th of January 1981, he became the 43^rd Vice President of the United States with Ronald Reagan as the President. And on the 20^th of January 1989 he became the 41^st President of the United States with Dan Quayle as his Vice President.

CIA, Vice President, President Plaques

After his term, he retired to be with his wife at their home in Houston with a presidential office nearby. Since 1992, he made many public appearances and even more when his son became the President.

He was awarded the Ronald Reagan Freedom Award by former First Lady Nancy Reagan. And in 1993, he was awarded an honorary knighthood (GCB) by Queen Elizabeth II.

He was also present on various ceremonies during the construction of the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN-77), the last Nimitz class supercarrier of the US Navy that was named after him.

USS George H. W. Bush CVN-77

USS Monitor: The First Ironclad Warship

2008-01-29T22:56:00.000-08:00

January 30 1862 - The first American ironclad warship, the USS Monitor is launched.

USS Monitor: The First Ironclad Warship

The USS Monitor was the first ironclad warship commissioned by the US Navy. It was ordered on the 4^th of October 1861 by the US Navy. It was launched on the 30^th of January 1862 and commissioned on the 25^th of February 1862.

The USS Monitor was most famous for her participation in the first ever naval battle between two ironclad warships on the 9^th of March 1862. It was the first in a long line of Monitor class warships of the United States and the term monitor describes a broad class of European harbor defense craft.

The USS Monitor has a displacement of 987 tons; length of 172 feet; beam of 41 feet and 6 inches; draught of 10 feet and 6 inches; speed of 8 knots; and armed with two 11 inches Dahlgren smoothbores.

The USS Monitor was well suited for river combat and it features made her highly unseaworthy in rough waters which led to its early loss when it encountered a heavy storm. She was swamped by high waves while under tow by Rhode Island. On the 31^st of December 1862 it sank in the Atlantic Ocean and 16 out of its 62 crewmen were lost in the storm.

Check out USS Monitor Model Ship at http://www.warplanes.com/

The Launching of the USS Missouri (BB-63)

2008-01-28T22:16:00.000-08:00

January 29 1944 – USS Missouri the last battleship commissioned by the US Navy is launched.

USS Missouri Battleship

The USS Missouri (BB-63) was also known as the Mighty Mo or Big Mo. It was a US Navy battleship and the third ship of the US Navy to be named in honor of the US state of Missouri.

The USS Missouri was the last battleship built by the United States. It was ordered on the 12^th of June 1940 and laid down on the 6^th of January 1941. On the 29^th of January 1944, the Missouri was launched at New York Naval Shipyard in Brooklyn, New York and commissioned on the 11^th of June. It was the third of the Iowa class but the fourth and final battleship commissioned by the US.

The USS Missouri (BB-63) has the length of 887 feet and 2 inches; beam of 108 feet and 2 inches; draft of 28 feet and 9 inches; and displacement of 45,000 tons. It was armed with (1943) nine 16-inch/50 caliber Mark 7 guns; twenty 5-inch/38 caliber Mark 12 guns; eighty 40mm/70 caliber anti-aircraft guns; and forty-nine 20mm/70 calibers anti aircraft guns.

USS Missiouri: US Navy

The USS Missouri was best known as the site where General Douglas MacArthur officially accepted the surrender of Japan which ends the Second World War on the 2^nd of September 1945.

The USS Missouri was decommissioned on the 31^st of March 1992 at Long Beach, California. It remained part of the reserve fleet until January 12, 1995 when it was struck from the Naval Vessel Register. On the 4^th of May 1998 a donation contract was signed and the historic battleship was said to be transferred to the nonprofit USS Missouri Memorial Association (MMA). And on the 23^rd of May she was towed from Bremerton to the Port of Astoria, Oregon for cleaning and then towed across the eastern Pacific and docked at Ford Island, Pearl Harbor on the 22^nd of June. And on the 29^th of January 199, she was opened as a museum operated by the MMA.

Check out USS Missouri Model Ship at http://www.warplanes.com/

The Birth of the Top American Fighter Ace and first Astronaut of Ukraine

2008-01-27T23:38:00.000-08:00

Francis Stanley “Gabby” Gabreski: Top American Fighter Ace

January 28 1919 – Francis Gabreski, American fighter pilot.

Francis Stanley “Gabby” Gabreski

Francis Stanley “Gabby” Gabreski was born today, 28^th of January 1919. He was the top American fighter ace in Europe during the Second World War, a jet fighter ace in Korea, and a career officer in the US Air Force with more than 26 years in the service.

Curtiss P-40 AVG Flying Tiger

Aside from being one of only seven

pilots that became an ace in two wars, he was also one of the most accomplished leaders in the Air Force. During the Second World War, he was assigned as a pilot with the 45^th Fighter Squadron of the 15^th Fighter Group. He was trained on both P-36 and Curtiss P-40.

Spitfire Mk IX

During his Royal Air Force (RAF) duty, he flew the new Spitfire Mark IX. And Gabreski learned during his duty with RAF that he had to keep calm during a mission. In his career with US Air Force, he became the commander of his former unit, the 56^th Fighter Group and he flew F-80 Shooting Stars.

F-80 Shooting Stars

Gabreski died on the 31^st of January 2002 of an apparent heart attack. He is buried in Calverton National Cemetery along with his wife Kay.

Leonid Kostyantynovych Kadenyuk: The First Astronaut of Ukraine

January 28 1951 – Leonid Kadenyuk, Ukrainian cosmonaut.

Leonid Kostyantynovych Kadenyuk

Leonid Kostyantynovych Kadenyuk was the first and only astronaut of independent Ukraine as of 2005. He holds the rank of Ukrainian Air Force Major General. He has been a career Soviet military pilot and cosmonaut since 1976. He started his service with the Soviet Air Force and later with the Cosmonaut Group. He remained in the Russian Space Forces and adopted Russian citizenship due to the break-up of the Soviet Union.

STS-87Mission

In 1995, he returned to his homeland and volunteered to take part of the first Ukrainian space mission. In 1997, he made his flight on NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia as part of the international mission STS-87. The mission duration was 15 days, 16 hours, 35 minutes, and 01 seconds.

Space Shuttle Columbia

Bluenose’s Fate

2008-01-27T23:14:00.000-08:00

January 28 1946 - Bluenose, Canada's greatest sailing ship, founders on a Haitian reef.

Bluenose: Canadian Schooner

The Bluenose was a Canadian schooner from Nova Scotia. It was launched on the 26^th of March 1921. It was a celebrated racing ship and a symbol of the province. It was financed by Captain Angus Walters and four Halifax businessmen.

The Bluenose soon proved that she is an excellent sailing vessel as she cleverly won the 1921 Canadian trials over seven other competing schooners. Another two races were held in late October and both were won by the Bluenose and she brings the International Fishermen’s Trophy back home.

Bluenose

Later on as a lot of powered fishing vessels are built sailing schooners were over powered and so the Bluenose was eventually sold for coastal trading in Caribbean waters. On the night of January 28, 1946, the Bluenose collided with a reef off the coast of Haiti. It was wrecked beyond repair, but fortunately all hands were saved and it ended a glorious era of sailing history.

Aircrafts Crashes: Boeing 707-321 and Douglas DC-3

2008-01-24T23:56:00.000-08:00

Avianca Flight 52: Boeing 707-321B

January 25 1990 – Avianca Flight 52 crashes, killing 73 passengers.

The Avianca Flight 52 was a regularly scheduled flight from Bogotá to New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport.

Boeing 707-320: Pan Am

On the 25^th of January 1990, the aircraft performing the Avianca Flight 52 was a Boeing 707-321B and it was registered as HK-2016, crashed in Cove Neck in New York. The cause of the crashed was fuel starvation and pilot error. This results to the killings of 73 passengers and crew on board, and injured 85 others.

Douglas DC-3 Crashed

January 25 2001 - A 50-year-old Douglas DC-3 crashes near Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela killing 24.

Douglas DC-3: United Airlines

The Douglas DC-3 was an airliner and transport aircraft. It was generally regarded as one of the most significant transport aircraft ever made due to its lasting impact on the airline industry and during the Second World War.

On the 25^th of January 2001, Rutaca Flight 224 crashed near the Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela. The aircraft performing this flight was the Douglas DC-3 and it has 24 people on board and that includes the 20 European tourists. There was no survivors on the said crashed. And the identities and nationalities of the passengers weren’t immediately known together with the cause of the crash.

Ernst Heinkel: German Aircraft Designer and Manufacturer

2008-01-23T22:49:00.000-08:00

January 24 1888 – a German aircraft designer and manufacturer Ernst Heinkel was born.

Ernst Heinkel

Ernst Heinkel was born in Grunbach, Germany on the 24^th of January 1988. He started as an apprentice machinist at a foundry. He became interested with aviation through his fascination with zeppelins, a type of rigid airships.

In 1909, he attended an international airshow in Frankfurt am Main. In 1910, he built his first aircraft but unfortunately it crashed and burned. Still he did not loose confidence but rather he continue his work and then he became chief designer for the Albatros Aircraft Company located in Berlin just before the beginning of the First World War.

In Albatros, he designed the Albatros B-II. It was an unarmed reconnaissance biplane during the First World War. He left the Albatros and he designed several seaplanes for Hansa-Brandenburg Company in 1914. Later he was appointed as head designer in a re-established Caspar-Werke but left due to a dispute on ownership of a design.

In 1922, Heinkel established the Heinkel-Flugzeugwerke company. He looked for overseas contracts and so some of his seaplane designs are being licence-built in Sweden.

Heinkel He 111

Adolf Hitler came to power and the designs of Heinkel’s firm formed a vital part of the Luftwaffe’s growing strength that leads up to the Second World War. The design includes Heinkel He 59, a trainer, transport, ambulance, torpedo bomber type of aircraft; Heinkel He 115, a three seats torpedo bomber aircraft; and the Heinkel He 111, medium bomber and perhaps the most famous symbol of the German side of the Battle of Britain.

On the 30^th of January 1958, Ernst Heinkel died in Stuttgart, Germany.

Space Shuttle Discovery: Mission STS-42

2008-01-22T00:46:00.000-08:00

January 22 1992 – Space Shuttle program: STS-42 Mission - Dr. Roberta Bondar becomes the first Canadian woman in space.

Mission STS-42 Insignia

The Space Shuttle mission STS-42 was a flight of Space Shuttle Discovery lifts off an hour late of the schedule due to weather constraints on the 22^nd of January 1992. The STS-42 main mission was to study the effects of microgravity on a variety of organisms. The duration of the mission was 8 days, 1 hour, 14 minutes, and 44 seconds.

The STS-42 crew includes West Germany’s first astronaut, Ulf Merbold; and Canada’s first woman astronaut, Roberta Bondar. The mission of the STS-42 required the around-the-clock monitoring experiments and so they are divided into a red and a blue team.

Blue Team

Ronald J. Grabe – Commander

Stephen S. Oswald – Pilot

Norman E. Thagard – Mission Specialist 1

Roberta L. Bondar – Payload Specialist 1

Red Team

David C. Hilmers – Mission Specialist 2

William F. Readdy – Mission Specialist 3

Ulf Merbold – Payload Specialist 2

Space Shuttle Discovery

The STS-42 was a flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and the first of two flights of it. The Space Shuttle Discovery has an Orbiter Vehicle Designation of OV-103. It was one of the three currently operational spacecraft in the Space Shuttle fleet of NASA. It was the third operational orbiter and the oldest orbiter in the service. It performed research and International Space Station (ISS) assembly missions.

Boeing 707 Exploded at Kano Airport

2008-01-22T00:36:00.000-08:00

January 22 1973 - A chartered Boeing 707 exploded in flames upon landing at Kano Airport, Nigeria killing 176.

Boeing 707 (Pan American World Airways)

The Boeing 707 was a four-engine commercial passenger jet airliner. It dominated passenger air transport in 1960s. It was based on an aircraft known as 367-80. It was called the Dash 80 within Boeing.

On the 22^nd of January 1973, the Boeing 707 encountered an accident. The Boeing 707 operated by Royal Jordanian Airlines had been chartered by Nigeria Airways to fly pilgrims back to Jeddah to Lagos. Due to bad weather at Lagos, the crew was forced to divert to Kano Airport, Nigeria. Unfortunately, the right main gear leg collapsed after touchdown as it hit a depression in the runway. It turned 180 degrees and skidded off the side of the runway, caught fire, and exploded. This accident result to the killing of 176 people onboard.

Concorde and USS Nautilus (SSN-571)

2008-01-20T21:22:00.000-08:00

Commercial Service of Concorde

January 21 1976 - Commercial service of Concorde begins with London-Bahrain and Paris-Rio routes.

Concorde: British Airways

The Concorde was a supersonic airliner type of aircraft. It was the more successful of the only two supersonic passenger airliners that operated commercially. Its primary users are the British Airways, the largest airline and flag carrier of the United Kingdom; and the Air France, one of the largest airlines in the world.

Concorde: Air France

Its maiden flight was on the 2^nd of March 1969 and it was piloted by Andre Turcat. It was introduced commercially on the 21^st of January 1976. It flew regular transatlantic flights from London Heathrow and Paris Charles de Gaulle to New York JFK and Washington Dulles.

Concorde set many other records but as a result of the type’s only crash on the 25^th of July 2000, world economic effects arising from the 9/11 attacks, its operations has been ceased. And on the 26^th of November 2003, its last flight occurred.

USS Nautilus (SSN-571) Launched

January 21 1954 - The first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus, is launched in Groton, Connecticut by Mamie Eisenhower, then the First Lady of the

United States

The USS Nautilus (SSN-571) was the first operational nuclear-powered submarine in the world. It was also the first vessel to complete a submerged transit across the North Pole.

The Congress of the United States authorized the construction of a nuclear-powered submarine for the US Navy in July 1951. And on the 12^th of December 1951 the name of the submarine was announced by the US Department of Navy as the Nautilus and it will carry the hull number SSN-571.

On the 21^st of January 1954, it was christened and launched into the Thames River in Connecticut. It was sponsored by Mamie Eisenhower, wife of the former General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.

United Airlines Flight 266 (Boeing 727-22C) Crashed

2008-01-18T00:19:00.000-08:00

January 18 1969 – United Airlines Flight 266 crashes into Santa Monica Bay resulting in the loss of all 32 passengers and six crew members.

The Flight 266 was scheduled to flight from Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles, California to General Mitchell International Airport, Milwaukee, Wisconsin via Stapleton International Airport, Denver Colorado. It has a total of 38 people on board as they are 32 passengers and 6 crews.

Approximately four minutes after takeoff, 11.5 west of LAX, it crashed into Santa Monica Bay, Pacific Ocean. The incident caused to the loss of the 38 people on board, all the passengers and crews. The incident was due to mechanical failure when two minutes into its flight, a fire warning in no.1 engine was reported by the pilot and shut it down. It departed with inoperable generators and afterwards the remaining generator overloaded and also shut down that result to the loss of electrical power.

United Airlines Aircraft: Douglas DC-3

During that time battery powered back up source was not required on commercial aircraft but because of the accident the Federal Aviation Administration require all transport category aircraft to have backup instrumentation installed and powered by independent source of the generators.

Other Events of January 18

1919 – World War I: The Paris Peace Conference opens in Versailles, France.

World War I Aircraft: Nieuport 17 (Allied)

The Paris Peace Conference was a conference organized by the victors of the First World War to negotiate the peace treaties between the Allied and Associated Powers and the defeated Central Powers.

It was opened in the Palace of Versailles in France on the 18^th of January 1919 and it was attended by participants from 25 nations.

T-38 Talon: replaced after the infamous incident Diamond Crash that killed four members of the team’s six demonstration pilots.

1982 - U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds: "Diamond Crash" kills four team members.

Martin 4-0-4: Eastern had the largest fleet with 60 type in operation

1991 - Eastern Air Lines goes out of business after 62 years, citing financial problems.

Events of January 17: B-52 Collides with KC-135; Gulf War Operation Desert Storm Begins

2008-01-16T23:20:00.000-08:00

Palomares Hydrogen Bombs Incident

January 17 1966 – A B-52 bomber collides with a KC-135 Stratotanker over Spain, dropping four 70-kiloton hydrogen bombs near the town of Palomares and another one into the sea in the Palomares hydrogen bombs incident.The B-52G Bomber of the US Air Force Strategic Air Command runs into a KC-135 Stratotanker during mid-air refueling over the Mediterranean Sea, off the coast of Spain.

The KC-135 Stratotanker was completely destroyed that caused the loss of all four crew members while the B-52G Stratofortress was broke apart that result to the loss of three out of seven crew members.

Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm

“The great duel, the mother of all battles has begun. The dawn of victory nears as this great showdown begins.”- Saddam Hussein

January 17 1991 – Gulf War: Operation Desert Storm begins early in the morning. Iraq fires 8 Scud missiles into Israel in an unsuccessful bid to provoke Israeli retaliation.

The massive air campaign codenamed Operation Desert Storm was launched by the coalition the day after the deadline set in Resolution. It began when eight (8) United States AH-64 Apache helicopter and two (2) MH-53 Pave Low helicopters destroyed Iraqi radar sites near the Iraqi-Saudi Arabian border.

Space Shuttle Columbia Takes OFF: Mission STS-107

2008-01-15T20:54:00.000-08:00

Space Shuttle Columbia Takes OFF: Mission STS-107

January 16 2003 – Space Shuttle Columbia takes off for space shuttle mission STS-107 which will be its final one.

The Final mission for the Space Shuttle Columbia carried a crew of seven astronauts:

Rick Husband: Commander

William C. McCool: Pilot

David M. Brown: Mission Specialist

Kalpana Chawla: Flight Engineer

Michael P. Anderson: Payload Commander

Laurel B. Clark: Mission Specialist

Ilan Ramon: Payload Specialist

The STS-107 was a multi-disciplinary microgravity and Earth science research mission with a multitude of international scientific investigations conducted continuously during 16 days in orbit.

On the 1^st of February 2003, morning, the shuttle re-entered the atmosphere after a 16 day orbit (scientific mission). Unfortunately, Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred that resulted with the loss of all seven crew minutes before concluding its 28^th mission.

According to investigations, the loss of the Columbia was caused by a piece of foam known as the Left Bipod Foam Ramp that broke off during launch and damaged the thermal protection system components on the left wing of the Shuttle orbiter and caused extensive heat build up.

Vietnam War: Suspension of Offensive Action against North Vietnam

2008-01-15T00:24:00.000-08:00

Vietnam War: Suspension of Offensive Action against North Vietnam

“What was the America’s role in the world and what were the lessons of Vietnam?”

January 15 1973 – United States President Richard Nixon announces the suspension of offensive action in North Vietnam.

Vietnam War was also known as the Second Indochina War, and American War occurred from 1965 to the 30^th of April 1975; and Vietnam Conflict when include what occurred from 1959 to the 30^th of April 1975. It was fought between North Vietnam which is the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and South Vietnam which is the US supported Republic of Vietnam.

On the 15^th of January 1973, US President Nixon announced the suspension of offensive action against North Vietnam. And on the 27^th of January 1973 the Paris Peace Accords on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam were signed which officially ends the direct involvement of the United States in the Vietnam War.

On the 30^th of April 1975, Vietnam War was officially ended. North Vietnam emerges as the victor. The result of the end of war was territorial changes: dissolution of South Vietnam and reunification of Vietnam.

Some of the Aircrafts used during the Vietnam War:

American Aircraft:

A-1 Skyraider

- The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was formerly known as AD Skyraider. It was a US attack aircraft. It had a remarkably long and successful career well into space age.

- It carried various nicknames such as Spad, Able Dog, the Destroyer, Hobo, Firefly, Zorro, The Big Gun, Old Faithful, Old Miscellaneous, Fat Face, Guppy, Q-Bird, Flying Dumptruck, Sandy, and Crazy Water Buffalo.

A-26 Invader

- The Douglas A-26 Invader was a light attack bomber aircraft.

- It has an unusual design for an attack bomber during its period.

Enemy Aircraft:

Mil Mi-24 Hind

- The Mil Mi-24 has a NATO reporting name of Hind.

- It was a large attack helicopter and low capacity troop transport.

- It was called by Soviet pilots as letayushiy tank or flying tank or Krokodil (Crocodile) due to its camouflage and fuselage shape.

Mikoyan MiG-15UT L1

- Most common variant of MiG-15.

- It has a NATO reporting name of Midget

- It was a two-seat dual control jet trainer

Apollo 8 Splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, Ending Humanity’s First Manned Mission to the Moon

2008-01-01T16:17:00.000-08:00

Apollo 8 Splashes down in the Pacific Ocean, Ending Humanity’s First Manned Mission to the Moon

The Apollo program is definitely considered one of the most famous American history of the world. The program represents the very first time a human being sets foot on an extraterrestrial mass of land.

Apollo 8 was the first among the Apollo series which have successfully orbit the moon, and the first manned spacecraft to leave Earth’s gravity and reach the moon. On December 27, 1968, a tragic event happened. Apollo 8 splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, after a mission elapsed time of 147 hrs, 0 mins, 42 sec. The splashdown point was 8 degrees 7.5 min N, 165 degrees 1.2 min W, 1,000 miles SSW of Hawaii and 5 km (3mi) from the recovery ship U.S.S. Yorktown.

It was really fortunate that the spacecraft achieved operational experience and testing of the Apollo command module systems such as communications, tracking and life-support. Otherwise, history might just repeat itself. Remember the Apollo 1 tragedy that happened in January 27, 1967? It was considered one of the worst tragedies in spaceflight history wherein the spacecraft’s crews, Edward White, Roger Chaffee and Virgil Grissom were killed in the process in a fire inside the Apollo Command Module during a preflight test at Cape Canaveral. It was concluded that failure in communication was the culprit. The crews suffered from serious burns and massive smoke inhalation which caused their sudden deaths.

Since then, changes had been made to the Apollo Command Module as a result of the tragedy and which in turn, resulted in many highly reliable spacecrafts including the Apollo 8.

The Apollo 8 Command Module currently resides at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, Illinois.

About the Author:
Jules Elgincolin, is a copy writer of Warplanes.com

Christmas Holiday Sale on Warplanes.com plus Guaranteed Holiday Delivery Schedule

2007-12-19T19:23:00.000-08:00

Christmas Holiday Sale on Warplanes.com plus Guaranteed Holiday Delivery Schedule

"Perfect holiday offer for our valuable customers."

Arizona, December 20, 2007 – Christmas Holiday is coming up. People are into shopping for gifts for their love ones. Some of the people shops online and find sale products that are great for a gift. Online Shopping might take time but no worries as Warplanes.com offers just what you’re looking for: Christmas Holiday Sale of selected model aircrafts, a perfect gift for your love ones; and a guaranteed holiday delivery so you’ll not be late on giving them your presents.

Warplanes.com offers Christmas Holiday Sale until December 30. Warplanes offers 20% discounts on selected items. Just enter the given promo code to avail the 20% discount on the selected items.

Warplanes.com offers Guaranteed Holiday Delivery Schedule with the help of FedEx. If customer places an order by December 18 they can use the FedEx 3-day Air shipping method; on December 19 they can use the FedEx 2-day Air; and on December 20 to 21 they can use the Next day Air for only $25.

For more information visit: http://www.warplanes.com/. Order now and avail the 20% discount on selected items and the free upgraded shipping through December 21st; pay for standard shipping and received expedited shipping at NO CHARGE. This is a Christmas Holiday offer from Warplanes.com to their valuable customers.

Remembering Pearl Harbor

2007-11-27T19:11:00.000-08:00

Remembering Pearl Harbor
(December 07, 1941)
“A brilliant man will find a way not to fight a war.”

Pearl Harbor is a harbor on the island of O’ahu,Hawaii in the west of Honolulu. It acts as the headquarters of the United States Pacific Fleet.

On the 7^th of December 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan brought the United States into Second World War. The attack on the Pearl Harbor was a pre-emptive military strike on the US Pacific Fleet based at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii by the Empire of Japan’s Imperial Japanese Navy.

The Pearl Harbor attack wrecked two United States Navy battleships, one minelayer, and two destroyers beyond repair. It also destroyed other aircrafts and killed some personnel and leaves others wounded.

Warplanes.com offers free shipping on a variety of model aircrafts and ships that has a connection with the attack of Pearl Harbor. The model aircrafts and ships are made from the highest quality materials available. They are a complete replica of the original aircraft and ships. This model aircrafts and ships are perfect desktop display and gift to your love one. Some of them are:

B-17F Flying Fortress - an upgrade of the B-17E
B-17G Flying Fortress - considered the defining B-17 design
B-29 SuperFortress - a heavy strategic bomber type of aircraft
F6F Hellcat - a fighter aircraft tagged as the Wildcat’s big brother
G4M3 Betty – a twin engine medium bomber

For more information visit our website: http://www.warplanes.com/ or call our toll free number: (800) 950-9944.

PRE-Christmas Sale: 20 % OFF on Selected Items

2007-11-15T21:03:00.000-08:00

PRE-Christmas Sale: 20 % OFF on Selected Items
“Christmas is now coming to Town!”

Christmas is now coming to town. Christmas is the day where most people set aside their problems and celebrate a very special day for everyone. Attending mass, eat together, and exchanging gifts with your family and friends is very ideal to celebrate Christmas.

Warplanes.com offers a PRE-Christmas Sale on Selected Items to help you out on having a perfect gift for your love ones. They offer 20% discounts on selected items such as B-32 Dominator, A-320 United Ted Airbus, Blue Angels Collection, and a lot more. Each item is hand crafted by our own master craftsmen and it is made from highest quality material available.

This is perfect collectible and executive gift. So what are you waiting for? Buy now and avail the 20% Discount on selected items before it last. Promo period is available from November 15 to December 5 only.

For more information visit our website: http://www.warplanes.com/ or call our toll free number: (800) 950-9944.

Veterans/Remembrance Day: Honor our Military Veterans

2007-11-05T23:51:00.000-08:00

Veterans/Remembrance Day: Honor our Military Veterans

"Celebrate the end of the war; Honor our Military Veterans"

Veterans Day is an American holiday to honor our military veterans. Its celebration falls on the 11^th day of November. It was also known as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other countries. It was the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice, the effective end of a war which ended the First World War.

The celebration of the Armistice Day was recognized by a proclamation of President Woodrow Wilson of United States in 1919.

"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations…"

And to honor and thank our military veterans for their service to the country, Warplanes.com featured model aircrafts in relation with the celebration of Veterans Day.

Boeing 747-400 All Nippon Airways "Pokemon"

2007-10-22T00:53:00.000-07:00

Boeing 747-400
" All Nippon Airways "Pokemon" "

The Boeing 747-400 was an airliner aircrafts manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes. Its maiden flight was on the 29^th of April 1988 and was introduced on the 09^th of February 1989 with Northwest Airlines. It was developed from Boeing 747. The -400 series was the best selling and advanced model for 747 family. The 747-400 was an improved version of 747-300. It improved its wingspan, winglets, engines, and its glass cockpit was removed.

The Aviation Modelworks offers a museum-quality wooden airplane model is hand-crafted and hand-painted. It is made by the best craftsmen. Made of the finest grade of kiln dried mahogany wood, each model was hand-carved from its fuselage, to its wings and tail. Our artisans carefully painted the insignia, squadron badge, nose art, emblem and serial numbers of the model airplane. And to make the model aircraft more perfect-looking, it is provided with a glossy finish and a mahogany stand. This Boeing 747-400 All Nippon Airways "Pokemon" was designed with characters of the known anime Pokemon.

As the Aviation Modelworks having discounts for selected model aircrafts. The Boeing 747-400 All Nippon Airways "Pokemon" was offer with 52% off.

To know more about each products visit: http://www.aviationmodelworks.com/.

Gerry Anderson SuperCar

2007-10-14T19:54:00.000-07:00

Gerry Anderson SuperCar

"Satisfactory. Most satisfactory!"

The Gerry Anderson SuperCar was a prototype vehicle which can travel on air, land, and even beneath the sea or into space. It was used on the first science fiction Supermarionation series by Gerry Anderson. Professor Popkiss and Dr. Beaker designed the SuperCar and it was ideal for rescue. It was a colorful vehicle with red, yellow, grey, and blue marvel as its color.

Aviation Modelworks offers a complete replica of SuperCar. It got a wingspan of 9 inches and fuselage length of 14 inches. It was made of the finest mahogany wood and each was carefully prepared by our master craftsmen. Each model aircrafts are created using the highest quality material available and hand-carved, hand painted and assembled until it became the perfect replica of the original aircraft. Each model aircrafts comes with elegant furniture furnish and it will be a great addition to your collectibles.

To know more about each products visit: http://www.aviationmodelworks.com/.

10% Off for B-36J Peacemaker Mahogany Wood Model

2007-10-01T00:10:00.000-07:00

The Aviation modelworks delivers model airplanes and model helicopters made only of the highest quality materials. It was made of the finest mahogany wood and prepared by our master craftsmen, the aircraft replica comes with an elegant furniture furnish and a polished chrome steel mounting rod. They manufacture and distribute Wooden Model Aircrafts such as Model Airplanes and Model Helicopters Worldwide.

The B-36J Peacemaker is one of the model aircraft that is on sale right now and the Aviation Modelworks offer it 10% off. The model aircraft is a museum-quality wooden airplane model, hand-crafted and hand-painted. It is made by the best craftsmen. Made of the finest grade of kiln dried mahogany wood, each model of it is completely hand-carved from its fuselage, to its wings and tail. The next process is sanding of the contour, then shaping and sanding. It goes through many stages of priming before being hand-painted to duplicate the actual colors of the original aircraft. Our artisans carefully painted the insignia, squadron badge, nose art, emblem and serial numbers of the B-36J Peacemaker model airplane. And to make the aircraft more perfect-looking, it is provided with a glossy finish and a mahogany stand.

To know more about each products visit: http://www.aviationmodelworks.com/.

50% Off for B-36 Peacemaker Mahogany Wood Model

2007-09-07T00:26:00.000-07:00

Get B-36 Peacemaker from Aviation Modelworks 50% less than its original Price. Get it before it last.

Aviation Modelworks delivers model airplanes and model helicopters made only of the highest quality materials. They manufacture and distribute Wooden Model Aircrafts such as Model Airplanes and Model Helicopters Worldwide. Right now they offer 50% off on selected items.

The B-36 Peacemaker is one of the model aircraft that is on sale right now. It is a model aircraft with span of 22 inches and length 15.5 inches. Our model aircrafts is made of the finest mahogany wood and each of its part is hand-carved; hand-painted and assembled using the highest quality material available and it was prepared by our master craftsmen. Each wooden model aircraft comes with elegant furniture furnish. These are perfect collectible, executive gift, premium and promotional incentives for your art gallery; our model airplane is the perfect one for you.

To know more about each products visit: Aviation Modelworks.

The Aviation Modelworks Arise with Classy Model Aircrafts

2007-09-02T19:24:00.000-07:00

Arizona, US – August 23, 2007 – Classy model aircrafts museum-quality are manufactured by Aviation Modelworks. They create customize design that customers want to order. Such customize design are usually created from the customers point of view and specific designs they want to add up on their aircrafts. Aviation Modelworks also offers generic aircrafts that is already made to order.

Model Aircrafts are done by Aviation Modelworks master craftsmen. Their master craftsmen used mahogany wood and it passes through different stages for it to take out its classy look and replicate the original aircraft. Collectors, pilots, military officers and such are a few of their customers that ordered customize wooden model aircrafts.

Aviation Modelworks wooden model aircrafts are perfect desktop display. Those mahogany wood model aircrafts are wonderful to add up to your collection or even consider as a gift to everyone else. Model airplanes and helicopters are fully handcrafted and made out of the finest mahogany wood.

Aviation Modelworks offers discounts during special occasion. The lists of aircrafts sold by Aviation Modelworks are listed at http://www.aviationmodelworks.com/, divided into its categories. Each model aircrafts of Aviation Modelworks comes with a natural stained mahogany stand.

Aircrafts: Fly high and be part of the History

2007-08-01T01:58:00.000-07:00

Aircrafts are vehicles that are able of atmospheric flight. There are two categories for aircrafts: those that are heavier than air and lighter than air. Those aircrafts which is heavier than air are also known as aerodynes. Heavier than air aircrafts includes autogyros, gyrodynes, helicopters, powered lifts, and fixed wing aircraft. While the lighter than air or also known as aerostat. Lighter than air crafts includes balloons and airships.

The Fixed-wing aircraft or the Aeroplane or much known as Airplane is heavier than air type of crafts. Their wings movement in relation with the aircraft is not used to generate lift. The aircraft’s major parts are its fuselage; pair of long, narrow, almost horizontal wings which got an airfoil cross-section shape; the vertical stabilizer; the pair of small horizontal wings; aircraft engines; and its landing gear. There are a lot of standardized controls which allow the pilots to manage the aircraft in the air. The controls that are usually found in fixed-wing aircrafts are the control stick, control the rotation of the aircraft about its pitch and roll axes; rudder pedals, are into its yaw axis; throttle, used to adjust the thrust produced by its engines; and the brakes, which is used to slow and stop the aircraft.

The Helicopters, a type of “heavier than air” craft that are lifted and can sustained in the air horizontally by rotating its wings or its blades turning on vertical axes through power supplied by its engine. The helicopters are used for search and rescue, Aerial still photography, logging, transport, and civilian touring or personal pleasure.