Colonel Dean Caswell, USMC (Ret)
(July 24, 1922 – Sept 21st, 2022)

AUSTIN, Texas (TND) — The last living U’S. Marine Corps fighter
ace of World War II passed on at the age of 100. Colonel Dean
Caswell died at his home in Austin, Texas on Sept. 21.

Col. Caswell joined the Marine Corps in 1942 and fought in WWII,
the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, according to his obituary.

The ace fighter pilot reportedly flew over 10,000 hours and served
in 110 combat missions piloting 56 different aircraft. He has been credited for shooting down seven enemy aircraft during aerial
combat during his service. He also apparently flew with the
legendary Blue Angels.

TIM MAGUIRE

MOSES LAKE, Wash. (AP) — A prototype, all-electric airplane
took its first flight Tuesday morning in central Washington
state.

The Seattle Times reports that if the Federal Aviation
Administration eventually certifies the small airplane to
carry passengers, it could become the first all-electric
commercial airplane.

The plane, built by startup Eviation, was built to carry nine
passengers and up two pilots. It took off from Moses Lake,
Washington, at 7:10 a.m. Tuesday, and landed eight minutes
later.

The company’s goal is to show such electric planes are viable
as commuter aircraft flying at an altitude of about 15,000 feet.

On September 21, 1942, the U.S. B-29 Superfortress made its
debut flight in Seattle, Washington. It was the largest bomber
used in the war by any nation.

The B-29 was conceived in 1939 by Gen. Hap Arnold, who was
afraid a German victory in Europe would mean the United States
would be devoid of bases on the eastern side of the Atlantic from
which to counterattack. A plane was needed that would travel
faster, farther, and higher than any then available, so Boeing set
to creating the four-engine heavy bomber.

The plane was extraordinary, able to carry loads almost equal to
its own weight at altitudes of 30,000 to 40,000 feet. It also sported
the first radar bombing system of any U.S. bomber.

 
SANDY KOZEL

Charles Augustus Lindbergh
(February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974)