Well, 2014 marks the 50th anniversary of a number of quite significant first flights.
North American XB-70 Valkyrie
Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird (albeit pre-dated by the aerodynamically almost identical A-12 by 2 years).
BAC TSR-2
HS Kestrel (VTOL was popular that year: XV-5, X-19, XC-142, and EWR VJ 101 too)
(not to mention other stalwarts such as: Shorts Belfast, GD F-111, Sikorski CH-53)
Shame we didn't celebrate the Chinook's 50th a couple of years back - eurocopter's 'competitor' won't be ready 'til what, 2020?
50 years of progress? Yeah, right. Still, at least you've all completed protecting information level 0 at the behest of some sawdust-minded greasy-pole-climber.
Oh, in '63 a C-130 made 29 touch and go landings, 21 unassisted full stop landings and 21 unassisted take offs from USS Forrestal
What the **** has gone wrong in two generations?
Back to taking solace in a fine red wine. Bah!
Last edited by Willard Whyte; 1st Jan 2014 at 22:44.