Friday, January 18, 2013

Was World War II a blessing for Aviation?

Note:  Pictures placed below this write-up. 

USA mobilised its human and industrial resources to achieve victory in the two-front World War in Europe and the Pacific.  The US used its air power with well planned strategies, systematically.  Basically World War II became the global arena of struggle for control of the air.  U.S. factories produced amazing numbers of fighter and bombers and aviation proved crucial in tactical and strategic roles in air battle fronts in Europe and Pacific. 

This War induced technological development helped improve aircraft design and performance.  It totally recast the nature of air warfare. 

Biplanes made of wood and fabric became history as they got replaced with all-metal fighters. With remote-controlled guns, pressurized cabins and powerful engines, Boeing B-29 Superfortress became the most advanced bomber of its time.  Later in the war, the relentless process of technical refinement culminated with the debut of jet engine and jet powered aircraft. Had there been peace, all this could have taken a decade to develop.

Boeing Aviation Hangar, opened on 15 Jan 2013 at Smithsonian Aviation Museum Washington DC , has highlighted this significant feature in their new "Boeing Hanger" pictured below. 


Artifact Highlights at Smithsonian Museum:
Boeing B-29 Superfortress <em>Enola Gay</em> at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Stinson L-5 Sentinel at the Udvar-Hazy Center
Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" that dropped Atom Bombs in Japan on 6 Aug 1945
Lockheed P-38J-10-LO
Lightning
Japan's Aichi M6A1 Seiran Amphibian
USAF Stinson L-5 Sentinel. Till 1968 this aircraft was used by Nagpur Flying Club for training pilots. During the year 1963-68, Nagpur Flying Club was hired by IAF for imparting elementary flying training to its trainee pilots (91st to 100th Pilots Training Courses) 

.V S Saxena
Mumbai
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