The GC-4A fuselage was 48 feet long and constructed of steel tubing and canvas skin. Its honeycombed plywood floor could support more than 4,000 pounds—approximately the glider's own empty weight. It could carry two pilots and up to 13 troops, or a combination of heavy equipment and small … See more From "flying coffins" to "tow targets," pilots and glider-borne infantry had colorful and well-earned nicknames for their ungainly planes. But according to at least one veteran flight officer, … See more Of the 6,000 men trained as glider pilots, some had washed out of conventional pilot training and were given a second chance to fly. Others, like MacRae, had a civilian pilot license but were … See more WebWorld War Two Gliders-America's First Stealthy Aircraft - YouTube 0:00 / 6:50 World War Two Gliders-America's First Stealthy Aircraft Marking History Channel 11.3K subscribers …
World War II pilots died at an astonishing rate before …
WebIt was designed by the Consolidated Aircraft Company (later Consolidated-Vultee) in response to a January 1939 U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) requirement for a four … WebFlying many hours at high altitude in unpressurized aircraft, however, created other hazards for the crews. Oxygen At 25,000 feet, a crewman without supplemental oxygen passed out in 3-5 minutes, followed by death soon after. small battery powered garden sprayer
Why America’s first bomber was called ‘the flaming coffin’
WebI'm proud to be a New York Times bestselling author of nonfiction military thrillers. My upcoming book, The Brotherhood of the Flying Coffin (March 2, 2024), is the untold combat aviation story of World War II volunteer glider pilots. A Civil War biography, Surgeon in Blue, was a bestseller. WebJan 25, 2024 · They were building untested parts for new aircraft designs that had never been properly tested themselves. This meant that airframes like the P-75 Eagle, Brewster F2A Buffalo, nicknamed the “Flying … WebFeb 7, 2024 · They shot down a total of 2116 enemy planes – an average of 7.69 per ace. Why was the B 24 Liberator called the flying coffin? Officially designated the “Liberator,” the square shaped B-24 could easily turn into a death trap. It was hard to fly with its stiff and heavy controls, and so earned its name by its crews as the “Flying Coffin.” small battery powered fans