ON THE COVER:
This pilot has every reason to be happy since he was about ready to take his distinctively-marked Republic
P-47D Thunderbolt USAAF 42-22878 aloft. The aircraft was apparently used at one of the Southwest training fields
and we do not know if the bright yellow cowl and wing paint was to warn other planes that it was a trainer or if the
markings were used to “clear the field” of other aircraft. (USAAF)

FEATURES:

BATTLE AT VC LAKE
A vicious skirmish with the Viet Cong is recalled through the eyes of three different Bell UH-1 participants /
by Tom Feigel and Larry Weill

CUPPLES CORSAIR
Memories of an unusually modified Goodyear FG-1D
Corsair help create a new painting while also investigating the fate of this survivor / by Steve Cox and Ben Marsh

STORM OVER THE PACIFIC
Part Three concludes our book-length history of the 318th Fighter Group at war against Japan / by Steve Blake

COLORS OF WAR
It was a war fought in full technicolor and we go into
our files to find a further selection of Allied and Axis
warplanes / by Michael O’Leary

BRIDGE TOO FAR
In Hawaii, a skilled Stearman crop-duster meets his end after an unusual stunt / by Ron Halton

DEPARTMENTS:

MESSAGE FROM PUBLISHER

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT
Vintage and veteran aircraft news from around the world / by Doug Fisher

FRIDAY NIGHT OLDIES
Rare Kodachromes of surplus ex-military aircraft before the days of multi-million dollar restorations / by Doug Fisher

LOG ENTRIES
Observations on safely flying historic aircraft / by Mark Bingham

CHECKLIST
Reviews of the latest in aviation literature

DOWN MEMORY’S RUNWAY
American aircraft from history’s glorious past / by Norm Taylor

AIRLINES
News and views from the readers of Air Classics