Mil Mi-4A: Flattery on steroids.

The potential of the Helicopter was clearly demonstrated during the Korean War for all to see. The Soviets, in particular, fell in love with the H-19, but they wanted something more capable. Mil Mi Bureau’s answer came fast, with the first flight of the Mi-4 prototype taking place on the Summer of 1952. The design solutions of the H-19 were clearly evident in its Soviet spin-off, but the latter doubled the power, weight and capabilities. It also more than doubled the production of its inspiration, with circa four thousand of them and its Chinese clone built. They also served longer.

Substantial in looks too. Soviet Border Guards in a hurry somewhere in the vast CCCP the same month/year my oldest brother was born.

McDonnell RF-101C Voodoo: Not a BDA recon mission.

A recce Voodoo of the 66th TRW at ease over Stonehenge, late-1960s.

At work here.

Dassault Ouragan: Plein Ciel Français.

In 1956 SIMCA launched their Ford Thunderbird-inspired Pleil Ciel coupe and Ocean convertible versions of the Aronde. That same year was the last one the “Patrouille de France” employed the pedestrian Ouragan, and the first year of the “Thunderbirds” operating the Hun….

Pujol España: Quizás, Maybe or Perhaps.

The España fighter was, in essence, a licensed-built SPAD VII. Curiously, the technical drawings acquired in 1916 were incomplete and Eduardo Barrón was charged with its adaptation. The prototype made its maiden flight in 1918 powered by a 180hp Hispano. It seems a dozen examples followed, built by the Talleres Hereter, after that company absorbed Pujol, Comabella y Cia. Taken by the Aeronáutica Militar, they displayed some defects so their operational lives were quite short, being retired in 1922. Anyway, by then more advanced, and sure cheaper surplus aircraft were available. All that said, other sources tell things differently.

As you can see a pretty SPAD VII built with a wider space between its wings, maybe.

Buccaneer S.50 & Mirage F1AZ: Strange buddy-buddy bedfellows.

A South African Buccaneer serving passing fuel to a Mirage F1AZ. The South Africans were the sole foreign operator of the mighty Buccaneer. On the other hand, they and the Libyans were the only users of the simplified ground-attack F1A variant.

Two dissimilar aircraft in a gorgeous photo.

NAA F-100D “Hun”: Getting all Misty.

Voyager 1986 record-setter Dick Rutan has taken the ultimate no-return trip a few days ago. I still treasure his book about that astonishingly flight I bought in 1989 with my meagre allowance.
Long before that, over Vietnam, he was one of the pioneer “Misty” pilots of Operation Commando Sabre, flying Huns in the dangerous “FastFAC” (Forward Air Control) role.

Rick’s self-portrait with the USAF Vietnam era standard headgear equipment: HGU-2A/P helmet, MBU-5/P oxygen mask and a sublime handlebar fighter moustache.

Photo: Dick Rutan’s Family.

Campini CS.10: Pretty, if nothing else.

The CS.10 of 1942 was the final of the three fighter design studies -with the CS.8 and CS.9- conceived by Secondo Campini. All three were powered by the half-step jet engine type tested on his not very convincing Caproni Campini CC.2. They differentiated by the cockpit’s placement. A heavily armed fighter, the CS.10 had two motoreattore (motorjet) engines in mid-wing position geared to a nose-mounted 1450hp Fiat RA 1050 Tifone (DB605A).

Boeing SST Bomber: Wishful Thinking.

Air Progress wondering if a militarized 2707-100 was the 1967 World’s Best Bomber. Did they picture them down low on an “Oil Burner” promenade?

The cover artwork was sure a winner.

Lockheed XF-90: Did I say Radiating?

The only “surviving” Lockheed “Penetration Fighter” is the 2nd prototype (46-0688) which ended up it useful life on the ground used in nuclear blast tests. Gladly, in 2003, the incomplete, heavily mangled and radioactive hulk was recovered from the Nevada Test Site. After a thorough decontamination process it’s now on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force’s Cold War gallery.

What a handsome piece of machinery.

Yakovlev Yak-23: Just Because (CXXX).

I found this dynamic drawing of a Polish “Flora” racing a steam hauled train sailing on the net. The artist’s name seems to be Peter, or Pieter Dubovik.