Following the creation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1915, a unique flight research operations division was established at the nation’s first civilian aeronautics research laboratory, the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Langley flight research personnel helped the nation’s aircraft industry bloom during the Golden Era of aviation throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Langley’s flight research then helped win World War II with performance-enhancing modifications to new aircraft. During the cold war, Langley helped the country maintain an edge in aeronautics over its Warsaw Pact rivals. When the space race began, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 and Langley’s pilots were instrumental in training astronauts. In addition to advancing rotorcraft during the 1960s and 1970s, Langley research pioneered a multitude of military and civil Vertical Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) concepts. During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Langley research developed advancements in general and commercial aviation technologies.

Flight Research at NASA Langley Research Center (VA) (Images of Aviation)

History

Chambers, Mark A.

Americas

Arcadia Publishing

This illuminating history traces the design and development of one of World War II’s most remarkable fighter aircraft. The unique sleek design of the Spitfire was truly a thing of aerodynamic beauty. From unprecedented achievements in winning and setting new world speed records in the great Schneider Trophy Races of the late 1920s and early 1930s to being rolled out for eventual aerial combat in one of the world’s most tumultuous and destructive conflicts, the Supermarine Spitfire served as a game changer. Mark Chambers uses many unpublished illustrations to explore the history of this iconic aircraft.

Building the Supermarine Spitfire: Speed in the Skies

Military

The History Press

Prior to and during World War II, the Junkers Aircraft Company of Dessau, Germany, produced several aircraft that revolutionized warfare. Among them were the Ju-87 Stuka, key to the success of the Blitzkrieg, and highly versatile bomber and transport aircraft including Junkers Ju-86, Junkers Ju-52, Junkers Ju-90/290, and later Ju-88. This illustrated history reveals the history of the company, and the many key aircraft to play a vital role in World War II. From initiating unprecedented advancements in structural design to producing advanced turbojet engines and radical aircraft that provided a glimpse of the future of aviation, the Junkers Aircraft Company proved to be a true pioneer in the aviation world.

Junkers: Military Aircraft of World War Two

The Harrier took to the skies in December, 1967. The McDonnell Douglas AV-8B Harrier II was the star of the Marine Corps in Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. This book charts Hawker Aircraft Ltd from Sopwith onwards, considering its future replacement, the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.

Hawker Siddeley Harrier: The World's First Jump Jet

This book tells the fascinating story of this truly unique aircraft’s design and development as an icon of American airpower, and relives its glorious record in the Vietnam War, various Arab-Israeli conflicts, the Cold War, and Operation Desert Storm.

McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II: Air Superiority Legend

Naval Air Station Norfolk (Images of Aviation)

Throughout the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, has played a significant role in the development of American naval aviation. The roles of fleet operational feasibility flight testing, flight testing of prototype aircraft, and tactical combat flight training at this naval air station have been crucial to this development. Technological advancements in naval airpower have significantly altered military doctrine and tactics, enabling the United States to gain strategic advantages over opposing forces in wars and military conflicts. Moreover, courage, innovative spirit, and ingenuity in conducting naval flight testing at Naval Air Station Norfolk have made and continue to make the advancement of American naval aviation possible. This remarkable military facility serves as a vital component of the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk.

Since 1950, US Navy fleet defender (fighter) squadrons--home-based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia--have served as a vital part of the country's national defense and helped to exert global US naval firepower. Over the years, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons have participated in combat during the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars and in military incidents and conflicts in Libya as well as Kosovo and Afghanistan. During the Cold War, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons served as crucial deterrents to the Soviet Union's acts of aggression and provocation. More recently, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons have been highly engaged in the ongoing War on Terrorism, striking Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in Iraq and Syria and Taliban targets in Afghanistan. Today, these squadrons stand ready to defend the United States, its naval fleets, and its interests abroad.

Naval Air Station Oceana Fleet Defenders (Images of Aviation)

Arts & Photography

Photography & Video

From Bumper V-2 rocket launches in 1950 to the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop a Delta IV rocket in 2014, NASA's Kennedy Space Center has served as the nation's portal to outer space for over 60 years. Images of Modern America: NASA Kennedy Space Center provides a fascinating look at the evolution of spacecraft technology and vintage images of Florida's scenic Merritt Island, known as the "Space Coast." This photographic history of the nation's premier spaceport looks back at the United States' glorious past in space exploration and ahead to its future.

NASA Kennedy Space Center (Images of Modern America)

Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River) played a crucial role in forging America’s naval air arm. This unique center proved to be vital for flight testing and evaluating naval aircraft and weapons systems destined for operational fleet service. NAS Pax River taught fleet pilots new tactics by conducting aircraft weapons tests, a tradition supplemented today by ground-based simulation. During and after World War II, it served as a primary center for flight testing and evaluating foreign aircraft. Some of the world’s best test pilots and eventual astronauts came to NAS Pax River to hone their flight skills and to participate in the testing of naval aviation’s premier aircraft. It is also home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and the US Naval Test Pilot School, and it is the headquarters of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

Naval Air Station Patuxent River (Images of Aviation)

Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) has served for over 100 years as a cornerstone of American military aviation. The base has served as a flight test center for US Navy seaplanes and observation/spotter aircraft, as well as the ill-fated Roma airship. Additionally, JBLE was one of the first US Air Force (USAF) bases to operate the advanced Lockheed F-22 Raptor. In 1921, Langley Field served as the launching point for Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's US Army Air Service efforts in historic battleship bombing flight experiments. Prior to World War II, Langley Field became the first US Army Air Corps base to operate the Boeing YB-17, prototype of the famous B-17 Flying Fortress. During the latter half of the 20th century, Langley Air Force Base served as the headquarters for the Tactical Air Command (TAC) and the Air Combat Command (ACC). JBLE still serves as ACC headquarters.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis (Images of Modern America)

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Books by Chambers, Mark A.