Showing 1 - 10 of 48

Jaqueline Cochran

Story

Posted on Oct 28, 2021

On May 18, 1953, Jacqueline Cochran became the first woman to fly faster than the speed of sound and, at the time of her death in 1980, she held more speed, altitude, and distance records than any other male or female pilot in aviation history. 

WAVES specialist first class Lorraine Taylor and specialist first class Martha Harrison

Story

Posted on Sep 14, 2020

As an intern with the Aeronautics Department I had the chance to review and scan hundreds of color images from WWII. What particularly drew my attention were the images of women who served in the Navy’s reserve force, since at the time they were not allowed to serve their country through military enlistment to the same extent as men.

Mexican P-47 Thunderbolts fly over central Luzon in July 1945

Story

Posted on Sep 03, 2020

With the 75th anniversary of World War II commemorations nearing their end, it is worth reflecting on those participants whose stories are not always well told.

Representatives of the major Allied powers at surrender ceremony

Story

Posted on Sep 02, 2020

Aboard the battleship USS Missouri, representatives from the Empire of Japan met with those of the United States, United Kingdom, France, Soviet Union, China, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand to sign the document that formally ended World War II.

US Navy blimp L-8 in flight to drop off supplies

Story

Posted on Aug 26, 2020

On April 2, 1942, the aircraft carrier USS Hornet was part of a secret plan to strike back at Japan. With no room for additional airplanes to land on the flight deck filled with B-25 Mitchell bombers, the US Navy turned to the Navy blimp L-8 for a special delivery.

Mechanics at Tuskegee Army Air Field maintain an engine of a Vultee BT-13A Valiant

Story

Posted on Aug 24, 2020

For the Museum’s aviation perspective on the war, we are looking at the nation’s participation in the air war through three lenses – aircrew, ground crew, and the war workers that built the aircraft.

English women watch an Eighth Air Force maintenance crew work on a B-24 engine.

Story

Posted on Aug 20, 2020

World War II is one of the best documented conflicts in history. Millions of photos and miles of motion picture film stock provide a rich visual documentation of the conflict in both its brutal violence and celebration of martial purpose.