By Garth Calitz Sixty-four years ago, on 24 April 1962, one of the most distinctive utility aircraft ever built took to the skies for the first time. That aircraft was the PZL-104 Wilga, a rugged Polish design that would go on to earn an enduring reputation for toughness, versatility and outstanding short take-off and landing performance. As the Wilga marks the 64th anniversary of its maiden flight in 2026, it remains one of the most recognisable and respected light aircraft

Few missions in aviation history have combined daring, innovation and strategic impact quite like the Doolittle Raid of April 18, 1942. Conducted only months after the devastating Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour, the raid marked the first American air strike against the Japanese home islands and provided a much-needed boost to Allied morale during one of the darkest periods of World War II. The operation, officially led by James H. Doolittle, demonstrated the growing adaptab

By Garth Calitz In an era when long-distance flight still carried an air of daring uncertainty, a silver bomber named Lucky Lady II quietly redefined what was possible. In early 1949, a modified Boeing B-50 Superfortress completed the first non-stop flight around the globe, remaining airborne for just over 94 hours. At a time when even transoceanic travel remained a complex undertaking, this mission demonstrated that the physical limits of distance could be overcome through i

By Garth Calitz On 5 March 2026, one of aviation’s most celebrated aircraft reached a remarkable milestone. The legendary Supermarine Spitfire marked 90 years since its first flight, a moment that helped shape both aviation history and the outcome of the Second World War. Few aircraft have captured the imagination of pilots and aviation enthusiasts quite like the Spitfire. With its elegant elliptical wings, distinctive engine note and superb performance, the aircraft quickly

It is widely accepted that modern aviation was born on 17 December 1903, when Orville Wright lifted off the sands of Kitty Hawk, ushering in a new era of powered flight. Yet what is less commonly known is that South Africa entered the age of aviation remarkably soon thereafter. Just six years later, the first powered flight in South Africa and indeed the first heavier-than-air powered flight on the African continent, took place on local soil. Interestingly, the origins of Sou

By Rob Russell The Aero Spacelines Super Guppy Turbine is a large, wide-bodied four engine turboprop cargo aircraft used for transporting outsize cargo components. It was produced by Aero Spacelines. Five were built in two variants, both of which were colloquially referred to as the "Super Guppy". The first Super Guppy, or "SG", was built directly from a retired USAF Boeing YC-97J Stratofreighter.. The fuselage was lengthened to 141 feet (43 m), and ballooned out to a maximum

By Garth Calitz In the long history of experimental aviation, few aircraft have looked as unconventional or as quietly influential as NASA’s AD-1. With its single pivoting wing mounted diagonally across the fuselage, the AD-1 appeared less like a conventional aeroplane and more like a designer’s sketch brought to life. Yet behind its unusual appearance lay a serious aerodynamic concept that aimed to address one of aviation’s most enduring challenges: how to reduce drag and im

By Rob Russell In the early 1970s, following the successful launch of the first wide-body airliner, the 747, Boeing began looking to further develop its narrow-body 727. Designed for short and medium-length routes, the trijet was the best-selling jetliner of the 1960s and a mainstay of US and European airlines. Studies focused on improving the 189-seat 727-200, the most successful variant. Two approaches were considered: a stretched 727 (to be designated 727-300), or an all-n

By Rob Russell It was ugly to start with and got uglier as the British tried to put more stuff onto it. It reminded people of the Australian platypus with its monstrous, ugly nose! It was in the tradition of all British aircraft - build a good aircraft and then add on and on - remember the Canberra, with the cockpit on the side, almost as an afterthought and the original Hs25 series, where it looked like the cockpits were stuck on the front? The British Aerospace Nimrod AEW3

By Garth Calitz The Blohm & Voss BV 141 stands out in aviation history as one of the most unusual and radical aircraft designs ever flown. Developed in Germany in the late 1930s, its quirky, asymmetrical structure was born from a particular operational need: maximum observational visibility. However, it ended up being one of the Luftwaffe’s most fascinating engineering experiments. Despite strong performance in flight tests, it never achieved full-scale production, overshadow