Military Vehicles | War History

USS California (BB-44): The Battleship That Survived Pearl Harbor and a Kamikaze Strike

USS California (BB-44) at sea

The USS California (BB-64) was the second of two Tennessee-class battleships. The vessel saw service throughout World War II, including being targeted by the Japanese…

Northrop YB-49: The Flying Wing Strategic Bomber That Was Years Ahead of Its Time

Northrop YB-49 taking off

The Northrop YB-49 was an American prototype jet-powered strategic bomber. The Northrop Corporation developed it following the Second World War for service with the US…

The Tragic Disappearance and Loss of the Argentine Submarine ARA San Juan (S-42)

Sailors standing aboard the ARA San Juan (S-42)

In November 2017, the Argentine submarine ARA San Juan (S-42) went missing while returning to her home base at Mar del Plata. It took just…

Four Nuns Were Rescued from Behind Enemy Lines By the USS Nautilus (SS-168)

USS Nautilus (SS-168) at sea

When war erupted in the Pacific, many found their homes situated in areas of conflict. There were also those who were far away from theirs,…

The US Navy Considered Arming Frigates with Mk 48 Torpedoes During the Cold War

Two technicians standing around a Mk 48 torpedo + USS Bradley (FF-1041) underway at sea

On January 17, 1955, the USS Nautilus (SSN-571) radioed the historic message, “Underway on nuclear power.” This was the foundation of a new era that…

E-boat: The Effective German Fast Attack Boat of the Second World War

E-boat transiting near port

The Schnellboot – or S-Boot – was a German fast attack craft that served with the Kriegsmarine during the Second World War. It was referred…

A WWII Bomber Pilot Flew a Cessna 172 for Over 64 Days As a Publicity Stunt

Cessna 172, in-flight, attached to a grounded truck via a fuel hose + Las Vegas, Nevada city-limits sign

If you thought the seven-hour New York to London flight was bad, buckle up because two men decided to break the record for the world’s…

Higgins Boat: The Landing Craft That Helped the Allies Win World War II

American personnel approaching Omaha Beach aboard a Higgins boat

The landing craft, vehicle, personnel (LCVP) – or Higgins boat – was used by the Allies to conduct amphibious operations during the Second World War.…

BMPT Terminator: Russia’s Supposedly ‘Invincible’ Armored Fighting Vehicle

BMPT Terminator parked outside

The BMPT Terminator is a Russian armored fighting vehicle (AFV) produced by UralVagonZavod. Its mission is to support main battle tanks (MBTs) and other AFVs…

Goodyear Once Developed An Inflatable Aircraft Known As The ‘Inflatoplane’

Goodyear 446/XAO-2 Inflatoplane in flight

During the 1950s, Goodyear became more involved with the US military, trying its hand at creating an aircraft that was compact enough to be delivered…

US Navy Pilots Were Afraid to Fly the Vought F7U Cutlass

Vought F7U Cutlass in flight

The Vought F7U Cutlass was a carrier-based aircraft that served with the US Navy between 1951-59. Developed with the use of German research taken by…

How An F/A-18 Hornet Pilot and His Wingman Returned to Base After a Mid-Air Collision

McDonnell Douglas F/A-18C Hornet taking off

On April 22, 1996, two US Navy McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets got into a mid-air collision during an exercise off the coast of Virginia. Both…