Why the F-117 Nighthawk was Given the “F” Designation
When it was first revealed in 1990 during Operation Desert Storm, the Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk, also known as the "Stealth Fighter," took the world by surprise. First of all, it…
Should the PAF Consider the Airbus A330 MRTT?
Today, I attended a media briefing where Airbus Defense presented their product offerings for the Philippines' defense requirements. They showcased a lot, including the A400M, the C295 MPA, the H225M…
Why the Saab 35 Draken Was Produced
The first time I saw this plane was in the movie "Firebirds." I thought it was all sci-fi because the plane looked so futuristic for its time. However, while browsing…
The F-4 Phantom II and its Anhedral Horizontal Stabilizers
I used to think the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom was an unattractive fighter, especially when compared to the sleek designs of the F-14, F-15, F-16, and F/A-18. The short vertical…
Differences Between F-35 Variants and How to Spot Them
I remember watching the documentary film "Battle of the X-Planes," which documented the fierce competition between Boeing and Lockheed for the Joint Strike Fighter project. The aircraft had to meet…
The A330 MRTT Can Refuel Planes Without Human Intervention
Air-to-air refueling is important for military aircraft to extend their missions and stay airborne longer. Aircraft like the KC-135 Stratotanker and the KC-10 Extender air-to-air refuelers play vital roles in…
The Convair XC-99 Reminds Me of an Airbus A380
As I was browsing PlaneHistoria today, one of my favorite Facebook pages, I came across this interesting plane: the Convair XC-99, a massive cargo plane developed during the 1940s. This…
The Lockheed AC-130 Gunship is Such a Badass Plane
If you have watched the movie "Olympus Has Fallen," you will notice the Lockheed AC-130 gunship used to attack the White House. While it may seem lethal in the movie,…
About the Japanese F-16, the Mitsubishi F-2
The General Dynamics (Lockheed Martin) F-16 is one of the most widely used multi-role fighter aircraft today. In fact, other nations have built their own fighter planes based on the…
Top 10 Fastest Military Aircraft of All Time
In the past, speed mattered a lot for aircraft. In fact, people believed that the faster the aircraft, the better its performance. I remember always asking if the F-15, my…