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If The Wright Brothers Had Been Wrong … It would have been a different 20th century

The image of the Wright’s successful flight is well known. Less well known are their crashes, including the loss of Lt. Selfridge, the first passenger fatality. If this had happened in December 1903, would the Wrights have carried on with their work? Interesting question.

September 1, 1939 The 16 Morane Saulnier MS 275s crossed the border, heading for the German Air Force Base at Sennheim. Twenty minutes later, the flight commander signaled and the parasol wing fighters dived, their 600hp Gnome Rhone radials roaring. At 400 feet and almost 180mph, each plane’s two 7.7mm machine guns fired at their targets, 12 Junkers Dornier Do 11 bombers, each one maxed out with a one ton load of bombs. Crew could...

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All the stories featured in Flight Journal are as unique and varied as the airplanes and warriors who flew them. From popular warbirds like the P-51 Mustang and Me 109 to the Lockheed SR-71 and futuristic hypersonic fighters, we cover the whole spectrum of aviation. We’ve heard from countless readers over the years about how much they enjoy the compelling stories and beautiful photography.