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November 2010

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Features

wing suit

Jump. Fly. Land.

Jeb Corliss says if the birds can do it, so can he

The postwar 11AC Chief (with a side of cheesecake) had 75 percent of parts in common with the Champion.

Flying Bathtubs Sell Like Hotcakes

The nation's first mass-produced lightplane started as a homely, humble homebuilt.

On July 14, 1938, thousands gathered for the return of Howard Hughes, who in four days had flown a Lockheed Super Electra around the world.

Brooklyn’s Jewel

A National Park Service project reclaims aviation history.

Space shuttle Atlantis was poised for its final mission in May as photographers jostled for position.

Throttle Down

How Florida’s Space Coast is bracing for the end of the space shuttle program.

Bundled against temperatures as low as –60° F, aerial gunners struggled to protect their B-17s from German fighters.

Just Shoot Me

Late in World War II, the Bell P-63 became an aerial gunner's easiest target

During Desert Storm, most fighters packed Sidewinders: F-16s armed with the missiles await the next mission.

Sidewinder

The missile that has rattled enemy pilots since 1958

Most pictures of the Venus surface are synthetic, like this view of a volcanic region called Eistla, created from Magellan orbital radar data. The SAGE lander would take actual photos from ground level.

Forbidden Planet

We’ve been to the moon. Mars is easy. But landing on Venus? That’s tough.

Over 15 episodes, Captain Midnight survived bombs, fire, near drowning, and more, before delivering criminal mastermind Ivan Shark to the police — a departure from the comic strip, in which Shark was devoured by a polar bear.

Thrills! Chills! Mystery in the Air!

In the 1930s and ’40s, heroic pilots engaged enemy aircraft — every Saturday morning.

Departments

Viewport

Viewport: The Muse in Museum

Viewport: The Muse in Museum

J.R. Dailey
In the Museum

In the Museum: Dangerous Crossing

In the Museum: Dangerous Crossing

Tom D. Crouch
Above & Beyond

Above & Beyond: Fire and Ice

Above & Beyond: Fire and Ice

Leonard R. Scotty
Oldies and Oddities

Oldies and Oddities: He Shot California

Oldies and Oddities: He Shot California

Vickey Kalambakal
Moments and Milestones

Moments and Milestones: Birth of the Clippers

Moments and Milestones: Birth of the Clippers