American Aviation Historical Society

1879

William "Billy" Mitchell is born at Nice, France. Following WW I, he becomes the most famous advocate of air power and champion of a separate air force for the U.S. Named Assistant Chief of the Army Air Service in 1919, Mitchell fully uses his office to spread his then controversial ideas. Most notably, he orders the demonstration of the sinking of the captured German battleship Ostfreisland by aerial bombs, proving the importance of airplanes in future wars.

1921

Edward Stinson and Lloyd Bertaud set a world endurance record of 26 hours, 18 minutes and 35 seconds flying a BMW-engined Junkers-Larsen over Roosevelt Field.

1939

First flight of the Consolidated XB-24 is made in San Diego, California. During the next 5.5 years, over 18,100 B-24s will be produced (largest military production run in US history)

1988

The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle made its service debut with the first delivery to the 4th TFW, 336th TFS at Seymour Johnson AFB, North Carolina.