The unpainted XF6F-1 prior to its first flight

On June 26th, 1942, a prototype of the Grumman F6F Hellcat took to the skies
for the first time. Initially conceived of as an improved version of the Grumman
F4F Wildcat which had been in service since the 1930s. The plane was designed
with its greatest opponent, the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero, in mind. 

The Hellcats were credited with destroying 5,223 aircraft while in service with the
U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and the Royal Navy‘s Fleet Air Arm. They remained
in service as late as 1954 as a night fighter.

The F6F-3 as introduced in 1943

Camille Bohannon

Sir James Paul McCartney is 72 years old today

Camille Bohannon

 
Donald John Trump, Sr.

Trump is 68 years old today. He played football, soccer, and baseball
at the New York Military Academy when he was 13 years old.

Charles A. Lindbergh (center) was honored with a ticker-tape parade
down 5th Avenue in New York City following his historic solo flight to
Paris May 20-21.   

George H.W. Bush 1925, one and a half years old

Navy pilot Bush

President George H.W. Bush, official portrait (1989)

George Herbert Walker Bush

George H.W. Bush was the 41st President of the United States from 1989 to
1993. He also served as vice president, congressman, ambassador, and was 
director of the CIA. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on his 18th birthday, becoming
the youngest aviator in the U.S. Navy at the time and served in World War II. His 
son, George W. Bush, was the 43rd President of the Untied States.