Aviation History - January 2016

2 AH January 2016

january 2016

5 MAILBAG

6 BRIEFING

12 EXTREMES

The Kyushu Shinden

proved that not all

Japanese aircraft

were derivative.

By Robert Guttman

features

ON THE COVER: The Collings Foundation’s B-24J Witchcraft flies over a patchwork countryside reminiscent of wartime England. The late-model Liberator, one of only

two still flying, visits more than 120 cities annually along with Collings’ B-17 and B-25 as part of the foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour. Cover: Paul Bowen Photography

22

departments

22 UNLOVED LIBERATOR

Although the Consolidated B-24 outperformed the B-17,

it never got the same respect accorded its more famous

stablemate. By Robert F. Dorr

32 ‘FLYING DEATH’

OVER THE ATLANTIC

B-24 Liberators modified for very long range

duty turned out to be World War II’s best U-boat

killers. By David Sears

38 ANGELS OF MERCY

Ten aerial rescue stories showcase aircraft crews’

dedicated efforts to pluck endangered souls

from peril. By Stephan Wilkinson

46 DIVINE WIND

American military analysts called the kamikaze “by far

the most effective weapon devised by the Japanese for

use against surface vessels.” By Don Hollway

54 AVERTING ARMAGEDDON

In 1981 Israel launched Operation Babylon to eliminate

the Iraqi nuclear menace. By Philip Handleman

14 AVIATORS

With their B-24 crippled

by flak over Italy, the crew

fought to make it safely

back to base.

By John L. Chase

16 RESTORED

The world’s oldest flying

jet, an F-86A Sabre,

returns Stateside.

By Richard Paver

21 LETTER FROM

AVIATION HISTORY

60 REVIEWS

63 FLIGHT TEST

64 AERO ARTIFACT

16

korean war classic

The oldest airworthy jet is back

in the U.S. after 22 years on the

European airshow circuit.

64

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TOP LEFT: RICHARD PAVER; BOTTOM LEFT: ROBERT F. DORR