The Syrian airfield prepare for reception of military aircraft of China
The latest news about fast emergence in borders of Syria of navy of China encouraged Syrians and res[...]
1936
February 19 In New York City, William G. “Billy” Mitchell, America’s leading air power proponent, dies. Though not recognized at the time, many of his prophecies are strikingly realized during World War II.
June 6 The Saucony-Vacuum Company uses the catalytic cracking method to produce the world’s first 100-octane aviation fuel, use of which greatly boosts the performance of military aircraft.
June 7 Major Ira C. Eaker performs the first-ever blind transcontinental flight as he pilots an airplane from New York to Los Angeles, California, relying solely upon instruments.
June 16 On Long Island, New York, the Seversky Aircraft Company contracts with the Army Air Corps to manufacture its first all-metal fighter with enclosed cockpits and retractable landing gear. It enters service as the P-35.
June 29 Major General Frank M. Andrews and Major John Whitney set a world airline record by flying a Douglas YOA5-2 1,430 miles between San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Langley Field, Virginia.
OCTOBER 13 At Roswell, New Mexico, the rocket facility operated by Dr. Robert D. Goddard, is visited by Army lieutenant John W. Sessums, who seeks to gauge possible military applications. He reports this technology might be useful in propelling gliders.
December 2 In Washington State, Boeing’s YB-15 prototype performs its maiden flight. This large aircraft, equipped with numerous gun blisters, is the epitome of the “aerial battleship” designed to fight its way into enemy airspace without fighter escort.
December 9 The prestigious Columbian Trophy goes to the 3rd Attack Group, Army Air Corps for best flying safety record of the year.
1937
February 11 Major J. McDuffie leads a
flight of eight Martin B-10 bombers from Langley Field, Virginia, to Airbrook Field, Panama, covering 4,000 miles without serious mishap. This is the first time that large land aircraft have operated over open water for an extended period.
MARCH 1 At Langley Field, Virginia, Boeing delivers its first YB-17A Flying Fortress to the 2nd Bombardment Group, Army Air Corps. This is the service’s first four-engine, high-speed, high – altitude aircraft, possessing sufficient range and bomb load to serve as a strategic bomber.
MARCH 26 At Roswell, New Mexico, Dr. Robert H. Goddard launches a liquid-fuel rocket guided by moveable air vanes in the rocket exhaust and connected to a gyrostabilizer in the nose; it reaches an altitude of 9,000 feet.
APRIL 12 In England, a jet engine designed by Royal Air Force officer Frank Whittle is successfully tested at Cambridge University. Harnessing this technology takes almost a decade, but leads to breakthroughs in aviation speed.
May 7 A fully pressurized cabin is tested on the Lockheed XC-35 high-altitude research aircraft, winning the Collier Trophy. A novelty at present, pressurized cabins and passenger compartments eventually become standard equipment on most airplanes.
May 8 The Mackay Trophy is awarded to six officers and two enlisted men from the U. S. Army Air Corps for piloting three bombers from Langley Field, Virginia, to Allegan, Michigan.
June 23 In Burbank, California, the Lockheed Corporation contracts with the
U. S. Army Air Corps to develop its radical, twin-boomed XP-38 fighter. This eventually enters service as the Lightning.
June 30 In Washington, D. C., Major General Oscar Westover, chief of the Air Corps, ends the Army’s balloon program when Congressional funding ceases. Any remaining equipment is handed off to the Navy.
July 1 The Signal Corps Weather Service transfers over to the Army Air Corps.
July 20 At Langley, Virginia, the General Headquarters (GHQ) Air Force receives its own uniform insignia, signaling its status as an independent air unit.
July 26 Aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran, a newcomer to the male-dominated world of aviation, sets a women’s American speed record of 203.895 miles per hour in a Beechcraft airplane.
AUGUST 5 Over Wright Field, Ohio, the XC-35 becomes the first aircraft to fly with a fully pressurized cabin.
AUGUST 23 Over Wright Field, Ohio, a Fokker C-14B piloted by Captain George
V. Holloman performs the first completely automated landing by utilizing an autopilot designed by Captain Carl J. Crane; both men receive the Mackay Trophy and Distinguished Flying Crosses.
September 1 At Buffalo, New York,
Lieutenant Benjamin Kelsey takes the radical Bell XFM-1, multiplace, twin – engine pusher fighter on its maiden flight.
Eventually christened the Airacuda, it does not enter into production.
SEPTEMBER 21 Over Detroit, Michigan, gender barriers in aviation continue falling as aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran, flying a civilian version of the Seversky P-35 fighter, establishes a woman’s speed record of 293 miles per hour.
OCTOBER 15 At Seattle, Washington, Boeing’s gigantic XB-15 makes its maiden flight; though impressive in terms of size, the XB-15 is grossly underpowered and only one is built.
December 3 Major Alexander P. de Seversky flies an aircraft of his own design from New York City to Havana, Cuba, setting a new record of five hours and three minutes. This same day, aviatrix Jacqueline Cochran sets another new record by flying from New York to Miami, Florida, in four hours and twelve minutes.