Imperial Japan’s Type 3 Machine Gun: America’s Worst Nightmare or Paper Tiger?

One of the most infantry-heavy armies of World War II was the Imperial Japanese Army. Although the country itself is today synonymous with…

The Tail Sitter XFY-1 Pogo and XFV-1

Today, the U.S. Marine Corps has the leading role in developing and fielding short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) warplanes like the AV-8B Harrier II…

Josef “Pips” Priller

Last Wartime Rank: Oberstleutnant Luftwaffe Service: 193?-1945 Unit(s): JG 51, JG 26 Theatre(s): France, Battle Of Britain, Western Front Combat Debut: 39/40 Western…

P-61 Black Widow: The Best World War II Fighter?

P-61 Black Widow Was The First True Night-Fighter - Though only 706 Northrop P-61 Black Widows were produced, and it only saw service…

In One Mission in October 1944, Two F6F Hellcats Shot Down a Record 15 Enemy Aircraft

Two Grumman F6F Hellcats streaked across the sky above the Philippines. Below them, armadas of ships clashed in an epic battle to control…

Why Does No Nation Dare Produce Nuclear-Powered Aircraft?

The U.S. Navy recently asked Congress for $139 billion to update its fleet of nuclear-powered submarines. Unlike “conventional” submarines, which need to surface…