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  • Solomon Islands

    The Allied defensive line in the Pacific was threatened at another point in the summer of 1942. The Japanese had moved into the lower Solomon Islands and were rushing to complete an airfield on Guadalcanal from which they could threaten the lifeline between Hawaii and Australia. On Aug. 7, 1942,

  • Stearman PT-13D Kaydet

    The United States and several Allied nations used the Kaydet as a standard primary trainer from the late 1930s to the end of World War II. Originally designed in 1933 by Lloyd Stearman for the civilian market, it received the designation PT-13 Kaydet when the U.S. Army Air Corps adopted it in 1936.

  • Supermarine Spitfire PR.XI

    The Mark XI was essentially a Mark IX Spitfire interceptor modified for photographic reconnaissance with cameras, a more powerful engine and a larger oil tank in the nose. All guns and armor were removed and the fuel capacity was greatly increased; speed was the unarmed Mark XI's defense. A total of

  • Sikorsky R-6A Hoverfly II

    The Sikorsky-designed R-6A two-seat observation helicopter was a refined version of the R-4, the first Air Force helicopter to serve in a combat zone. First flown in October 1943, the R-6A used the same rotor and transmission system as the R-4, but it had a more powerful 235-hp Franklin O-405-9

  • Sikorsky R-4B Hoverfly

    Developed by Igor Sikorsky from his famous VS-300 experimental helicopter, the R-4 became the world's first production helicopter, and the U.S. Army Air Force's first service helicopter. The prototype XR-4 made its initial flight on Jan. 13, 1942, and as a result of its successful flight tests, the

  • Seversky P-35

    The P-35, a forerunner of the Republic P-47, was the U.S. Army Air Corps' (USAAC) first production single-seat, all-metal pursuit plane with retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit. The USAAC accepted 76 P-35s in 1937-1938, and assigned all but one of them to the 1st Pursuit Group at

  • Stinson L-5 Sentinel

    The L-5 was the military version of the commercial Stinson 105 Voyager. The U.S. Army Air Forces purchased six Voyagers in 1941 as YO-54s for testing, and quantity orders for Sentinels began in 1942. Between 1942-1945, the USAAF ordered 3,590 L-5s, making it the second most widely used USAAF liaison

  • Strengthening the Air Corps

    Fortunately for the U.S., President Franklin D. Roosevelt realized the dominant role played by Hitler's Luftwaffe in European international relations, and on Jan. 12, 1939, he delivered a special message to Congress calling for strengthening of the Air Corps. Congress then authorized $300 million

  • Strategic Bombing

    1917 also saw the Italian bomber come into its own as an important and effective weapon. As production of new aircraft increased, additional squadrons were equipped, trained and deployed against the Austro-Hungarians. The first night raids were conducted in early January and soon became a regular

  • Sergeant's Field Uniform, U.S. Army Air Service, WWI

     The intertwined "ASM" at the top of his left sleeve identifies him as an Air Service Mechanician. His rank is on his right sleeve, while the red chevron on his left sleeve is a postwar addition, denoting service in the Great War. This sergeant served one year overseas, as denoted by two six-month