The weird and wacky names that aircraft have don’t usually include those of insects, particularly parasitic ones but there is no accounting for taste! From Gnats to Fleas, June Bugs to Crickets, aviation has them all and in this tale we find out about many of them.
The dainty but impressive Folland Gnat which was only slightly larger than the single seat version, the Midge.
The BE2, one of which was unsuccessfully launched from beneath a blimp.
The parasitic Sparrowhawk fighter suspended under the Airship USS Macron.
Another parasite, an F-84 is launched from underneath a modified B-36 Peacemaker.
Two parasites at once… the unlikely combination of a pair of F-84s being towed by the wingtips of a B-29.
The tiny Starr Bumblebee II which was, at the time, the world’s smallest piloted aircraft.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Nick-D, H M Benner, the Royal Navy, Afcrna and the USAF.
Intro/outro Music, Coffee Fund theme music by Geoff Smith thegeoffsmith.com Dr. Steph’s intro music by Nevil Bounds Capt Nick’s intro music by Kevin from Norway (aka Kevski)
Doh De Oh by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100255 Artist: https://incompetech.com/
Military pilots aren’t the only ones in danger whilst cruising the upper reaches of the atmosphere. Passenger jets can be equally vulnerable with tragic results. These are the stories of two aircraft that sadly flew on to their destruction, with nobody controlling, carrying their unfortunate passengers to their death.
Payne Stewart.
The accident Learjet.
The Learjet’s flight path.
A Helios B737.
The flight path of Helios Flight 522.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Alan Lebeda, Supergolfdude, NTSB and AAIASB.
Intro/outro Music, Coffee Fund theme music by Geoff Smith thegeoffsmith.com Dr. Steph’s intro music by Nevil Bounds Capt Nick’s intro music by Kevin from Norway (aka Kevski)
Doh De Oh by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: https://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1100255 Artist: https://incompetech.com/
Military fighter aircraft that fly themselves around without their pilot on board is unusual, to say the least. Sadly this is often a situation that has tragic consequences. This tale is of three such events; happily one has safe outcome for the pilot… the others were not so lucky.
An early Harrier prototype, the P1127.
The Sea Harrier.
A 75 Sqn F/A-18 in the foreground during a Red Flag exercise in the US.
Images under Creative Commons licence with thanks to Alan Wilson, Billy Bunting MOD, USMC and USAF.
