Natrona County Passenger Increase

Nearly 30% more passengers flew out of Casper/Natrona County International Airport in July than did a year ago, airport officials reported Monday.

Casper Star Tribune, August 14, 2024.

Lex Anteinternet: Monday, August 2, 1909. The United States Army accepted the delivery of a Wright Military Flyer.

Lex Anteinternet: Monday, August 2, 1909. Two firsts.: 

Monday, August 2, 1909. Two firsts.

The United States Army accepted the delivery of a Wright Military Flyer.

Wright Model A.

The Wright brothers were hired at the same time to train the first two pilots,  Lts. Frank P. Lahm and Frederick E. Humphreys

It was just six years after the first flight, and less than a decade before airplanes would become a major weapon of war.

Ukrainian Yak-52 two-seat primary trainer shoots down Russian drone. Як-52 над Одещиною

Crash in Campbell County.

A Pilatus PC-12/47E carrying three out of four members of the Grammy nominated and Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Gospel music quartet the Nelons crashed north of Gillette.  All seven passengers on board were killed.

Lex Anteinternet: Thursday, July 27, 1944. Gloster Meteor enters active service.

Lex Anteinternet: Thursday, July 27, 1944. Eastern advances.:

The jet fighter the Gloster Meteor entered active service with No. 616 Squadron RAF.  It would be the only jet aircraft to see active service during the war for the Allies.

City of Casper Councilmen grill Airport Board

This over withdrawing support for the subsidy payments for the flight to Salt Lake City.  Casper complained it had received no notice of this occurring, and is concerned what it will mean.

Wednesday, July 26, 1944. The Merriam Bomber Crash of 1944

Lex Anteinternet: Wednesday, July 26, 1944. Cobra advances.: 

The Merriam Bomber Crash of 1944

Lex Anteinternet: Saturday, July 26, 1924. Other around the world flights.

Lex Anteinternet: Saturday, July 26, 1924. Other around the world f...: 

Saturday, July 26, 1924. Other around the world flights.

Argentinian pilot Pedro Zanni and mechanic Felipe Beltrame began their rather belated attempt to fly around the world.

Lex Anteinternet: Saturday, July 18, 1914. The sort of birth of the Air Force.

Lex Anteinternet: Saturday, July 18, 1914. The sort of birth of the...:   

Saturday, July 18, 1914. The sort of birth of the Air Force.

 

Congress created the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps, effectively creating what would become the Air Force.

Blog Mirror: Watch: Plane Narrowly Avoids Crashing into Colorado Mountainside

 

Watch: Plane Narrowly Avoids Crashing into Colorado Mountainside

AT-6's (SNJ's) from the film Tora! Tora! Tora!, Natrona County International Airport.

I heard them flying over downtown and looked up and saw them flying, but didn't notice the Japanese markings.  After realizing what they were, I went out the next day and to see if they were still there, and they were.

These are the SNJ's that were altered and remodeled to closely resemble Japanese Navy A6M's (Zeroes) and Nakajima B5N's (Kates) for the 1970s movie Tora! Tora! Tora!.  The resemblance to the Japanese aircraft is truly remarkable.

The Commemorative Air Force maintains and flies this team of aircraft today, preserving the excellent replica work done for the film.

In this instance, these aircraft were on their way to an airshow in Salt Lake City.

AT-6 in original markings.

AT-6 alte4red to resemble B5N.

SNJ rebuilt to resemble A6M.