Search Results for: 2021

Me 261

Weimar and Nazi Germany, , , , , , , , ,

Before the outbreak of the Second World War, the Luftwaffe (Eng. German Air Force) was undergoing a massive expansion. Numerous new aircraft designs were either being introduced into service or undergoing testing, with many being integrated into the military for various roles. A number of newly developed aircraft were also primarily used for evaluation and experimentation, and, there were also several designs created specifically to set records. One such aircraft, the Me 261, was built specifically at the request of Adolf Hitler to set long-range records. Due to its specialized role, and the fact that it was not initially ordered by the Luftwaffe, only three prototypes of the Me 261 were built.

Hwasŏng Missile Series and Missile Carriers

Cold War, DPRK

The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is one of the world’s lesser-known nations, but one that is periodically mentioned in Western media for diplomatic incidents with neighboring nations after testing ballistic missiles. This article attempts to shed light on Korea’s most famous, and numerous family of ballistic missiles, the Hwasŏng, in English literally “Star of Fire”, which in the Korean language (Hangŭl) indicates the planet Mars.

Lockheed C-130 in Argentine Service

Argentina, Cold War

From the Vietnam War, to Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and, more recently, the evacuation from Afghanistan of American forces, the C-130 proved to be a valuable asset to its operators. However, it is an aircraft with just as excellent a reputation in foreign service. By the mid 1960s, Argentina did not have a viable Airlifter, the latest one in use being the severely outdated Ju-52. The Argentine Air Force was looking to satisfy this necessity, and it did so by acquiring the C-130 mid-weight air transport.

Heinkel-BMW Flying disc project

Weimar and Nazi Germany, WW2, , , ,

The German military industries during the Second World War are often seen as highly developed, and producing highly sophisticated, superior weaponry to that used by the Allies. The reality is quite different, as they began to implement the mass use of slave labor and were chronically short of several key resources. Regardless, bright engineering minds and desperation led to the introduction of a series of new technologies, some being the first of their kind. The German aviation industry was credited with creating some advanced and innovative, but ultimately scarce aircraft designs such as the Me 262 jet fighter. With this reputation, many theories on German hyper-advanced, secretive aircraft projects began to spread after the war. Among them, was the theory that they had created a series of supersonic, flying saucers.

Lockheed S-3 Viking

Cold War, US

The Lockheed S-3 Viking was an anti-submarine warfare aircraft designed to replace the aging S-2 Tracker, later becoming one of the most important components of the US Navy’s anti-submarine strategy during the late Cold War. Designed in anticipation of modern Soviet Nuclear submarines, the Viking could boast of a host of cutting edge sensors and computerization that put it well above the curve, and all wrapped up in an airframe that was reliable and versatile.

Ikarus 453MW

Cold War, Yugoslavia, , ,

Following the end of the Second World War, the newly created Jugoslovenska Narodna Armija JNA (Yugoslav People’s Army) initiated a series of experimental aircraft design programs. These were intended for testing and gaining valuable experience in new jet propulsion technologies. From this initial work, an unusual new glider project, designated Ikarus 453MW, would emerge. Little is known about the purpose of this glider and its defined role.

8.8 cm Flak 18/36/37

Weimar and Nazi Germany, WW2, , , , , , , ,

With the growing use of aircraft during the First World War, many nations developed their own anti-aircraft weapons. Initially, these were mostly crude adaptations of existing weapons systems. During the interwar period, the development of dedicated anti-aircraft guns was initiated by many armies. Germany, while still under a ban on developing new weapons, would create the 8.8 cm Flak 18 anti-aircraft gun. The gun, while originally designed for the anti-aircraft role, was shown to possess excellent anti-tank firepower. This gun would see action for the first time during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) and would continue serving with the Germans up to the end of World War II.