B-29 "Snuffy" of the 444th Bomb Group at an airfield in India 1945

 B-29 S/N 42-24873 of the 676th Bomb Squad, 444th Bomb Group, 58th Bomb Wing, 20th Air Force.

The plane was named after the popular "Barney Google and Snuffy Smith" newspaper comic strip.

Sopwith Tri-plane N5492

 

Stukas Greifen An: A Wartime Illustration from Der Adler, 6 August 1940

 The 6 August 1940 issue of Der Adler, the official Luftwaffe magazine, features a striking illustration that encapsulates the aggressive air doctrine of the early Second World War. Dominating the scene is the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka, the Luftwaffe's infamous dive bomber, captured in a dramatic nose-down assault—the very embodiment of Germany's Blitzkrieg tactics.

Engineered by Junkers Flugzeug- und Motorenwerke A.G., the Ju 87 was designed for high-precision ground attacks. Its hallmark was the terrifying descent accompanied by the unmistakable whine of the Jericho-Trompete sirens, devices intended not merely for intimidation but also as psychological warfare. With its inverted gull wings and fixed undercarriage, the Stuka became an icon of both form and function in aerial combat.

This particular illustration, published at a time when German forces were advancing rapidly across Western Europe, served as both propaganda and patriotic morale booster. The accompanying caption, “Stukas greifen an” (“Stukas attack”), underscored the aircraft’s role in shaping early battlefield outcomes through coordinated aerial and ground offensives.

Though later rendered vulnerable by enemy air superiority, the Stuka's tactical influence and symbolic power remain emblematic of a pivotal era in aviation history. The artwork in Der Adler endures as a visual testament to the ambitions, fears, and fervor of wartime Germany.

Fiat CR.32 capped in Jerez de la Frontera, Cadiz, Spain on 15 January 1949.

 On 15 January 1949, an aviation incident unfolded in the skies above Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz, Spain, that quietly marked the twilight of an era. A Fiat CR.32, operated in its Spanish license-built form as the Hispano HA-132L “Chirri”, suffered a rollover accident during landing. The aircraft came to rest inverted on a field near the airfield. Fortunately, the pilot, Sergeant Antonio Gómez Jiménez, emerged from the mishap without injury.

Originally developed in Italy during the early 1930s by aeronautical engineer Celestino Rosatelli, the CR.32 was lauded for its robust construction and exceptional agility. It served with distinction in the Spanish Civil War, where it became a favored aircraft among Nationalist forces. Though many nations phased out biplanes by the end of World War II, Spain retained the CR.32—particularly the domestically produced “Chirri” variant—as a symbol of national heritage and enduring reliability.

Rearwin Ken-Royce NC592H

 Rearwin Ken-Royce NC592H The Rearwin Ken-Royce was a rare American-built biplane from the early 1930s, known for its stylish design and strong performance in air races. Only three of this model were produced, and NC592H stood out with its striking cream, orange, and black color scheme. It was powered by a Ken-Royce 5-cylinder radial engine, making it nimble and reliable for both stunt flying and cross-country events.

Jean LaRene Jean LaRene was a trailblazing female pilot who made her mark flying the Ken-Royce NC592H during the 1931 and 1932 National Air Races. A determined aviatrix in a male-dominated field, she not only flew under contract but later bought the aircraft herself in 1940. Her style, skill, and courage made her a memorable figure in the golden age of aviation.

Wonder Bread Blimp Image Date: November 1947

 

A U.S. AH-1 Cobra attack helicopter fires rockets at enemy positions in Vietnam. c. 1970s.