The EA-7 Optica is a British-designed and built aircraft for low-speed observation work that could loiter extremely slowly and for long periods. The design is based on the BAe Puma, but with several modifications intended to improve performance. The most obvious change is the use of a turboprop engine instead of the piston engine and drivetrain combination used in the Puma. Another important modification was the addition of an aft-mounted door, which allowed the aircraft to be quickly and easily converted from a gunship to an observation platform. The biggest problem with the EA-7 is that it is inherently slow. Its top speed is just 50 mph (80 km/h) and it can only operate at altitudes up to 4,000 feet (1,219 m). A final problem is the lack of high-quality photographic optics for the aircraft's high-mounted camera pod; as a result, images are usually blurry and indistinct.
Because it is an observation platform, the EA-7 is not designed to engage hostile forces directly; instead, it will loiter over an area and relay information back to friendly forces on the ground. This allows sensors to gather more accurate information about enemy movements and positions. As such, it has real value both in combat situations and in peacekeeping missions. It can also be used to watch over airports and others. https://planehistoria.com/modern-day/optica
Tupolev ANT-20 Maxim Gorky – Once the Largest Aircraft in the World
By the early 1930s, the question of how to build an aircraft that could fly faster than the speed of sound was a pressing one. It was especially important for both military and commercial aviation because it would make it possible for aircraft to travel long distances in a short amount of time.
In October 1929, Tupolev presented its ANT-20 to the Soviet government. This was an improved version of...
The English Electric Lightning was the first British jet aircraft to enter service, and like all early jets it suffered from severe airframe buffeting. This was caused by the shockwaves produced as the air rushing past the rear of the aircraft created a ‘wake’, or disturbance in the airflow behind the aircraft. The Lightning was also highly fuel inefficient.
Despite these disadvantages it was a very capable aircraft. It had excellent range, payload and climb rate, and could operate from short,...
General Dynamics F-16 – The Rebirth of the Dogfighter | PlaneHistoria
Do you know about The General Dynamics F-16 – The Rebirth of the Dogfighter has always been a workhorse? The aircraft entered service in the 1970s and saw action in Israel, Turkey, and other nations around the world. Despite its age, the fighter has remained relevant for several reasons. First, it’s relatively cheap to maintain and operate, particularly compared to newer models like the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). Second,...
The Junkers G.38 was a workhorse transport aircraft of the Second World War that saw heavy use in paratrooper and glider roles. It was used by Hitler’s elite forces, including the SS, as well as by the Wehrmacht and Luftwaffe in general. The G.38 was developed to meet a need for a transport aircraft that could be used for long-range and heavy-lifting operations.
The G.38 was designed and built by Junkers Flugzeugwerke from 1935-1937. It had...
The Sukhoi Su-34 Fullback is a multipurpose aircraft that entered the services of the Russian Air Force in 2014. This aircraft is a true masterpiece of modern engineering and technology. During a long process of development, the Su-34 received the most updated technology to match the requests of the recent operational environment. This was best proven during the Syrian civil war, where the Su-34 displayed exceptional performance against ISIS and rebel targets....
In December of 1942, the infamous Victor Bomber was flown by a team of engineers from Bell Aircraft to an Air Force base at Clinton Field in North Carolina. The aircraft was built for the US Army Air Forces as a transport plane, but it was never mass-produced. Instead, it was used mostly by the Army Air Forces’ 456th Bomb Group during World War II. Unlike most bombers of its time, the Victor bomber was designed to be flown by...
