Aviation

The Memphis Belle and the Aerial War

Dan Patterson — Thu, 16 May 2013 10:39:45 +0000

Seventy years ago this week American aviators were at war in Europe. In airplanes known as the B-17 Flying Fortress they were flying bombing missions over Germany. One of those planes, nicknamed “The Memphis Belle” flew its 25th combat mission on May 17th, 1943, and then came home to the US with its crew. One of the Memphis Belle’s first stops was Wright Field in Dayton, where today she’s being restored at the National Museum of the United States Air Force.

The Relationship Between Flight and Time

Dan Patterson — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 11:51:06 +0000

Aviation commentator Dan Patterson has a different kind of story this week, not about a famous date in history - but instead about the connection between flight and time. You can always spot a pilot, he says, by his or her outsized wristwatch. It's a relationship that goes back to the earliest flights.

WYSO's Aviation Commentator: The Wright Brothers Were 'First In Flight'

Emily McCord — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:07:59 +0000

A newly discovered photograph calling into question the Wright Brothers claim to the “first in flight” title has created controversy this week between aviation experts. Some historians say German Immigrant Gustave Whitehead deserves the distinction. Dayton aviation photographer and historian Dan Patterson is WYSO’s aviation commentator. He discussed the issue in an interview with Emily McCord.

More Reaction to 'First In Flight' Claim

Jerry Kenney — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 01:37:15 +0000

A newly discovered photograph calling into question the Wright Brothers claim to the “first in flight” title continues to draw reaction from aviation experts. Some historians say German Immigrant Gustave Whitehead deserves the distinction. The photograph in question is actually a photograph within a photograph. Amateur historian John Brown found it in an attic in Germany.

Newly Found Photo Reignites Debate Over ‘First In Flight' Claim

Emily McCord — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 19:49:46 +0000

A newly discovered photograph has sparked controversy over whether or not the Wright Brothers were really the first in flight. Some historians are saying that German Immigrant named Gustave Whitehead deserves that distinction but as Emily McCord reports for WYSO, despite the new discovery, the debate has been going on for years.