Aeroplane Magazine

DEFENDING the WILDERNESS

22nd May 2025

Despite its limitations, the F-82 Twin Mustang met an important...

Gloster

Preparing for war

22nd May 2025

In October 1952, Exercise ‘Ardent’ put the UK’s offensive and defensive capabilities to the test. Some of its results made for sobering reading

Gloster

Preparing for war

22nd May 2025

In October 1952, Exercise ‘Ardent’ put the UK’s offensive and defensive capabilities to the test. Some of its results made for sobering reading

English Electric Lightning

111 Sqn's First Year with the Lightning

22nd May 2025

The RAF waited a decade from the first flight of the English Electric P1 prototype in 1954 to take delivery of a truly definitive operational Lightning variant. The F3 was well worth it, though — and No 111 Squadron’s pilots loved it. This is the story of the mark’s first year with ‘Treble-One’

English Electric Lightning

111 Sqn's First Year with the Lightning

22nd May 2025

Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)

Secrets of the A-12: the SR-71 Blackbird's predecessor

22nd May 2025

For close on eight years, from selection to the programme’s termination, Ken Collins lived and breathed the CIA’s Project ‘Oxcart’ — testing the Mach 3-plus Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft from Area 51 and operating it over North Vietnam on the ‘Black Shield’ deployment, all in conditions of the utmost secrecy