During late 1943, America’s airpower was beginning to turn the tide against our Axis enemies. The Army Air Corps and the U.S. Navy strengthened their air forces with newly designed and improved aircraft, and Southern California became a major aircraft-manufacturing hub. At its Mines Field plant, North American Aviation produced[…]
The enemy in Europe called it the “Fork-Tailed Devil.” We named it the “Lightning.” It was fast and it was powerful. In Burbank , Lockheed built 9,924 P-38’s that helped turn the tide of war while protecting America ‘s shores. By the third year of World War II, industry was[…]
In spring 1945, Orange, California, was the same sleepy town it had been throughout World War II. The conflict in Europe was over, but victory in the Pacific was months away. Three years of war had brought many hardships and trials to the residents of this small town. Yet, much[…]
High in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, three Lockheed F-80 Shooting Stars skim the Rim Highway as they return to March Air Force Base. Fall 1948 marks the first anniversary of the United States Air Force, and the freshly painted jets of the First Fighter Group sport their[…]
It was beautiful, it was fast, and it had a grace of line and contour few airplanes have possessed. Spooling back through half a century we see its silver sides glistening in the late afternoon sun. Just under a canopy of camouflage netting a young army ferry pilot leans against[…]
It’s a bright January morning in 1944. Far away in Europe and in the Pacific theater, America is engaged in an epic struggle against the forces of fascism. Our nation’s industries are humming with ever increasing activity, supplying the tools necessary for ultimate victory. Yet, along the sandy shore of[…]