Military Vehicles | War History

Four Nuns Were Rescued from Behind Enemy Lines By the USS Nautilus (SS-168)

USS Nautilus (SS-168) at sea

When war erupted in the Pacific, many found their homes situated in areas of conflict. There were also those who were far away from theirs,…

The US Navy Considered Arming Frigates with Mk 48 Torpedoes During the Cold War

Two technicians standing around a Mk 48 torpedo + USS Bradley (FF-1041) underway at sea

On January 17, 1955, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) radioed the historic message, “Underway on nuclear power.” This was the foundation of a new era that…

E-boat: The Effective German Fast Attack Boat of the Second World War

E-boat transiting near port

The Schnellboot – or S-Boot – was a German fast attack craft that served with the Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. It was referred…

A WWII Bomber Pilot Flew a Cessna 172 for Over 64 Days As a Publicity Stunt

Cessna 172, in-flight, attached to a grounded truck via a fuel hose + Las Vegas, Nevada city-limits sign

If you thought the seven-hour New York to London flight was bad, buckle up because two men decided to break the record for the world’s…

Higgins Boat: The Landing Craft That Helped the Allies Win World War II

American personnel approaching Omaha Beach aboard a Higgins boat

The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) – or Higgins boat – was used by the Allies to conduct amphibious operations during the Second World War.…

BMPT Terminator: Russia’s Supposedly ‘Invincible’ Armored Fighting Vehicle

BMPT Terminator parked outside

The BMPT Terminator is a Russian armored fighting vehicle (AFV) produced by UralVagonZavod. Its mission is to support main battle tanks (MBTs) and other AFVs…

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…

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…