ON THE COVER:
Magnificent formation comprising the world’s only flying Curtiss SB2C Helldivers. Photography by Paul Bowen

FEATURES:

FLIGHT TO DISASTER
The fever to fly across the Atlantic was in high pitch. Igor Sikorsky created the tri-motor S-35 for the flight but the designer’s good intentions were stopped by raging egos, poor planning, and a host of other problems / by Mitch Mayborn

COST OF WAR
This month, we examine a collection of Lutfwaffe aircraft whose fighting days were over / by Michael O’Leary

MISSING EN ROUTE
Too late to see WWII service, this ex-RCAF de Havilland Mosquito became a candidate for the Bendix cross-country race. However, it would vanish on an illegal flight to Israel / by Norm Malayney

MESSERSCHMITT DEFECTORS
Today, the Croatian Air Force of WWII is a nearly forgotten subject. Yet during the war years, the Croats fought a hard battle on the side of the Nazis — at least until the very end when numerous pilots decided to defect / by Miro Miraslav

UNIQUE MISSION
What it took to get the world’s three flying Curtiss SB2C Helldivers together for a history-making photo flight / by Michael O’Leary

COMET CRUNCH
An August landing accident put the end to the flying career of one of Britain’s most beloved historic aircraft. Air Classics readers can help get the de Havilland Comet back into the air / by Myles Ryland

DEPARTMENTS

MESSAGE FROM THE PUBLISHER

WARBIRD & CLASSIC REPORT
All the latest vintage and veteran aviation news along with the plans by Yanks Air Museum to put the world’s oldest airworthy Ryan back into the sky/by Doug Fisher

LOG ENTRIES
Let’s examine the ultra-long-range PBY-1 Catalina flight searching for Amelia Earhart / by Mark Bingham

FRIDAY NIGHT OLDIES
More interesting surplus ex-military aircraft in glorious
color / by Doug Fisher

DOWN MEMORY’S RUNWAY
A selection of classic American aircraft / by Adam Stanton

AIRLINES
News and views from the readers of Air Classics