American Aviation Historical Society

1917

Manufacturers Aircraft Association formed - Feb 13, 1917 - Frank H Russell as president. Established to handle cross-licensing patents between all manufacturers.

1943

The Vought F4U Corsair naval fighter makes its operational debut in Solomon Island, escorting PB4Y-1 Liberators the US Navy’s version of the B-24) raiding Bougainville.

1961

GAM-83 air-to-surface missile successfully launched at supersonic speed

1972

The Soviet Union has started to use Cuba as a base from which to spy on the US. The first mission is flown by two Soviet Tu-95, which surveys part of the east cost.