Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired. 

Showing 51 - 60 of 150

April 17, 2020 Flak-Bait Survives the War Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

On April 17, 1945, 75 years ago to this day, Flak-Bait's Army Air Forces crew led it on its 200th mission.

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April 13, 2020 The Myth of the German “Wonder Weapons” Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

Aeronautics curator Michael Neufeld examines the myth of the Nazi wonder weapons and the oft-repeated statement that if Germany had had the V-2 and other "wonder weapons" sooner, they may have won the war.

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April 02, 2020 Pat the Pilot: American Aviatrix, WAFS Member, and Allied Liaison Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

Aline “Pat” Rhonie made a perfect three-point landing in her 125 hp Luscombe Phantom when she touched down in Manchester, New Hampshire, on June 6, 1940. Owned by Rhonie, the plane was a Warner-powered, high-wing, two-seat cabin monoplane that she flew as the American Liaison for the French Aero Club. Rhonie piloted civilian and military aircraft throughout the United States as an American aviatrix and eventual member of the Women’s Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron, yet her mission traversed international borders to support the Allied cause.  

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March 30, 2020 Before the WASP: American Women Pilot Service Organizations Story | From the Archives

Women in the United States have long served their country and women aviators have been no exception.  Perhaps the best known efforts are those of the Women Air Service Pilots (WASP), formed in 1943, merging the Women’s Auxiliary Flying Squadron and Women’s Flying Training Detachment.  But before the WASP, women pilots, such as Ruth Law, Opal Kunz, Florence “Pancho” Barnes, and Mary Charles were determined to serve their country in whatever way they could.

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July 25, 2019 AirSpace Season 2|Ep.10
Night Witches
Story | AirSpace Podcast

Today we’re talking about a chilling chapter from flight history— Night Bomber Regiment 588. 

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June 06, 2019 Flak-Bait’s D-Day Missions Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

We explore the D-Day missions of the Museum's Martin B-26B-25-MA Marauder Flak-Bait.

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June 05, 2019 The Technology Behind D-Day's Moonlit Airborne Ops Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

The D-Day invasion relied on paratroop and glider landings the day before -- in moonlit darkness. In this blog, we explore the key technologies used to locate drop zones and landing zones under cover of darkness.

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June 04, 2019 Protecting the Beaches with Balloons: D-Day and the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

The 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the only unit that stormed the beach at Normandy on June 6, 1944, that was comprised entirely of African American soldiers, played a vital role in protecting the ships and soldiers during the D-Day invasion.

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June 03, 2019 D-Day and the Douglas C-47 Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

In the early morning of June 6, 1944, thousands of soldiers, sailors, and airmen readied themselves for D-Day of Operation Overlord. For several divisions of American and British soldiers, the invasion had actually begun the night before on board Douglas C-47s.

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June 02, 2019 D-Day: Aerial Photography in Action Story | 75th Anniversary of World War II

D-Day was the boldest, riskiest and most anticipated operation of the entire World War II European Theater. To succeed in the Allied invasion of France, Allied commanders needed detailed information about prospective French coastal landing sites and surrounding areas. That's where aerial photography comes in.

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