Machinery & Gear | War History

Goodyear Once Developed An Inflatable Aircraft Known As The ‘Inflatoplane’

Goodyear 446/XAO-2 Inflatoplane in flight

During the 1950s, Goodyear became more involved with the US military, trying its hand at creating an aircraft that was compact enough to be delivered…

US Navy Pilots Were Afraid to Fly the Vought F7U Cutlass

Vought F7U Cutlass in flight

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a carrier-based aircraft that served with the US Navy between 1951-59. Developed with the use of German research taken by…

How An F/A-18 Hornet Pilot and His Wingman Returned to Base After a Mid-Air Collision

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet taking off

On April 22, 1996, two US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets got into a mid-air collision during an exercise off the coast of Virginia. Both…

Leichtgeschütz 40: Germany’s Powerful World War II-Era Recoilless Gun

10.5 cm Leichtgeschütz 40 placed near a wall

The Leichtgeschütz 40 (LG 40) was a German recoilless gun that saw service during the Second World War. The Wehrmacht first used the weapon during…

USS Bennington (CV-20) Paying Respect At the USS Arizona Memorial

USS Bennington (CV-20) transiting past the wreckage of the USS Arizona (BB-39) with the word "ARIZONA" written on her flight deck

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor launched the United States into the Second World War. The assault on December 7, 1941 resulted in the loss…

The Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress ‘Memphis Belle’ Flew 25 Combat Missions Over Europe

Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress 'Memphis Belle' parked on the tarmac

The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress holds the distinction of being the third-most produced bomber of all time, with 12,731 built from 1936-45. The aircraft first…

The Northrop Tacit Blue Was Nicknamed the ‘Alien School Bus’ For Its Unusual Design

Northrop Tacit Blue in flight

Several unusual aircraft have been developed over the years (just look at the McDonnell XF-85 Goblin), but few were as unique in appearance as the…

The Most Impactful Military Vehicles of World War II

Still from 'Battle of Britain'

In the shadowy chapters of history, battles are often viewed through the prism of generals and troops – their tactics, their bravery and their sacrifices.…

The Most Beautiful Military Aircraft Ever Produced

Grumman F-14D Tomcat taking off

In the world of aviation, the marriage of beauty and function has birthed stunning creations, with aesthetics and power being held in equal regard. From…

The Kursk Submarine Disaster Claimed the Lives of 118 Russian Sailors

K-141 Kursk surfacing at sea

K-141 Kursk was an Oscar II-class nuclear-powered cruise missile submarine operated by the Russian Navy. Commissioned in December 1994, she represented the peak of the…

M20 Recoilless Rifle: While Not Effective Against Tanks, It Obliterated Enemy Pillboxes

US Army soldier firing an M20 Recoilless Rifle while others cover their ears

The M20 recoilless rifle saw limited service at the end of World War II and was used extensively in Korea. It was only capable of…

The Hughes H-4 Hercules Was An Absolute Mammoth Of An Aircraft

Aerial view of a Hughes H-4 Hercules

Several experimental aircraft have been designed over the years, but few (if any) were as large and eye-catching as the Hughes H-4 Hercules. A flying…