In early March 1942 Allied forces in the Netherlands East Indies surrendered and the lightning Japanese conquest of South East Asia was complete. Amid fears of a Japanese invasion of Australia, two understrength RAAF squadrons of Lockheed Hudsons began a brave fight back against the enemy from the Darwin area. These modest initial efforts were ......

While the history of the jet engine and the development of Britains first jet fighter are well known, the evolution of a jet-powered bomber is a story that is less well charted, even though its creation was undoubtedly as important as the fighters - if not more so. English Electrics Canberra bomber was created without fuss and fanfare, and ......

The B-24 Liberator served as the workhorse of the US armed forces and was used in every theater of war. Under the command of Colonel Halverson, a US task force known as HALPRO was sent to attack Japan, but was diverted en route and instead became embroiled in the Mediterranean theater, carrying out bombing raids to arrest the progress of Axis ......

Introduced to RAF squadrons in early 1937, the Blenheims superb performance made it the RAFs fastest bomber for many years and, before the arrival of the Hurricane and Spitfire, also the fastest aircraft in the entire inventory. The Blenheim proved successful, despite never originating as a military requirement. The way it was built was also ......

The Hawker Harrier was an incredible aircraft. It was the first operational warplane to dispense with any need for conventional airfields or aircraft carriers, thanks to its vertical take-off and landing capabilities. Designed for Cold War requirements, the Harrier became a remarkably effective ground-attack bomber. Development continued ......

In 1932, the British Air Ministry issued Specification B.9/32 for a twin-engined day bomber. Key to its design success was the removal of all restrictions on the unladen weight of aircraft, enabling designers to select a powerplant suitable for the designated role of the aircraft. Significant to its success was the development of the ......

One of the three British four-engine heavy bombers that took the fight to Germany, the Handley Page Halifax contributed in no small way to the destruction and ultimate surrender of the Third Reich. However, in its early years from service entry in March 1941, little good could be said about the Halifax. All round it was a poor design from ......