Allied pilots would come to regard it as one of the hardest Japanese aircraft to shoot down. Given the Allied code name “Emily,” the H8K was massive (124 foot wingspan, 92 foot length, and 30 foot height), heavily armed, maneuverable, and fast (approximately 290 mph). It flies for the first time several weeks later. The prototype of the H8K four-engine, long range reconnaissance flying boat is completed at the Kawanishi factory near Osaka, Japan. It would see action all over the world, including with USAAF units in Europe.ĭec. The Mosquito, made primarily of a plywood and balsa laminate, was very fast (nearly 400 mph for the fighter and bomber versions 425 mph for the recce version), very maneuverable, with long range. A fighter version flies on May 15, 1941, followed by a reconnaissance version on June 10, 1941. 98 Mosquito, developed in just 11 months, flies for the first time at Hatfield, England. Although development difficulties would plague the aircraft, the B-26 would go to have distinguished career in World War II. “Ken” Ebel makes the first flight of the Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber (there was no prototype) at the company’s Middle River, Md., plant. During World War II, P-51 pilots would record more than half of the air-to-air victories in Europe, and the aircraft would serve as long-range bomber escort in the Pacific. Company pilot Vance Breese makes the first flight of the North American NA-73, the prototype for the P-51 Mustang, at Inglewood, Calif. The Royal Air Force announces formation of the first Eagle Squadron, a Fighter Command unit to consist of volunteer pilots from the US. Adolf Hitler announces that Operation Sea Lion, the German invasion of Great Britain, “has been postponed indefinitely.” This effectively marks the end of the Battle of Britain, although fighting would continue. The Luftwaffe loses 1,733 aircraft and crews. Against overwhelming odds, Royal Air Force pilots fend off the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain and ward off German invasion of the British Isles. These actions are the first in what will become the Battle of Britain.Īug. The Luftwaffe attacks British shipping in the English Channel docks in South Wales. President Roosevelt calls for 50,000 military airplanes a year. It also will see action in the Korean War and the early stages of the Vietnam conflict. The CW-20 is the prototype for the C-46 Commando transport, the largest and heaviest twin engine aircraft to see service with the Army Air Forces. Boeing company pilot Eddie Allen, on loan to Curtiss Wright, makes the first flight of the CW-20T company demonstrator at St. The magnetron, a resonant-cavity microwave generator, is vital in the development of airborne radar. Randall, working at the University of Birmingham, England, create the first practical magnetron.

Boys pics from the destroyer magazine