As much As i like the 707, to me it always came second-best behind the DC-8. One of the latter alluring features is this pair of nose air scoops. These scoops each had three inlets which provided air for the cabin pressurization/air conditioning systems turbo compressors (the two outer inlets) and to the air-to-air heat exchangers (the central one).
The smart United Airlines “DC-8 Mark IV Jet Mainliner”.
This cute, and minute, single bay biplane was the conceived by Roy Chadwick just after the end of WW1 to capitalice the expected private aviation boom. In that endeavour it failed; the market was really not there and only 9 were produced. The Baby is nevertheless well-remembered for its sporting achievements and specially the long-distance flight exploits of Bert Hinkler.
The natty father with his Baby’s first prototype. Photo taken before its one and only flight, Hamble, 1919. It was destroyed in that flight.
Striking piece of mid-century modernism this EL AL poster. This model of the 707 was powered by four very-British Rolls Royce Conway low-bypass turbofans -the first of the type in service- with their characteristic flower-shaped nozzles.
This funny looking cabin biplane was designed by the Vickers of Canada in the late mid-1920 following the trend established by the Americans, specially by Stinson. The objective was to produce a up-to-date aircraft to serve as general purpose/liaison for the Royal Canadian Air Force. Obviously inspired in the already mentioned Stinson, the Vanessa differed in its peculiar interplane struts design. The only prototype made its first flight in 1927, and it was soon employed on a series of experimental airmail runs. During those trials the Vanessa suffered a take-off accident. The wreck was salvaged but not repaired; the whole program was stopped.
Those struts were an ugly price to pay in the name of accessibility.
Library and Archives Canada Photo.
Astonishingly unusual photo angle for this unadulterated early recon Crusader of the VFP-62. Neither fins nor engine nozzle air intakes.
How fain is memory to measure
Each latter day inferior
To those of old.
Jorge Manrique. “Coplas por la muerte de su Padre.”
The L-159 was the ultimate development of the classic L-39 Albatros jet trainer. This almost new design has been built as a trainer/combat aircraft in both two-seat and single-seat configuration respectively. The ALCA is equipped with western up-to-date (early 2000s) avionics/weaponry and powered by a Honeywell/ITEC F124 turbofan engine.
Two-in-one commemorative livery presented by the Czech AF in homage to WW2 ace František Peřina (2017). Peřina flew the Spitfire Vb (AD572) with the 312 (Czechoslovak) Sqn RAF. That Spitfire sure has a very looooong nose.
Designed to supersede the T-1 in the advanced trainer role, the T-2 was the first supersonic aircraft developed by the Japanese aircraft industry. Clearly inspired by the SEPECAT Jaguar two-seat trainer -engines included-, the T-2 made its first flight in the summer of 1971. Ninety production T-2s followed, both unarmed and armed. Operated only by the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF), the T-2 was retired in 2006.
Stunning photo of an unarmed T-2(Z). The Japanese “Jaguar” was a pretty slick feline, specially flying in this “clean” configuration.
“On Target” by Leslie Illingworth, “Punch” magazine (1940). A free interpretation of the Hurricane -with both French & British cockades- facing, alone and unafraid, the Nazi winged monster, gas mask included.
North American didn’t conform with producing arguably the best fighter of WW2. They knew there’s still room for improvements in their majestic P-51D. Developed via the XP-51F and XP-51G prototypes, the P-51H was a considerably lightened souped-up Mustang which achieved the stupendous top speed of 487 mph; 50 mph faster than the P-51D. In production just before WW2 ended, the P-51H came too late to see combat. A pretty number (555) were produced anyway and they served until 1952.
Magnificent photo of a “H” of the 194th Fighter Squadron, California Air National guard. At first sight, compared to the P-51D, the H had a longer deeper fuselage plus a taller tailfin.
Aviation Rapture 