Free Republic

The Korean War has been called “the forgotten war,” and “Missing in MIG Alley,” on PBS on Tuesday night, illustrates a little-known chapter. It describes the rivalry in the sky between two types of fighter jets then on the cutting edge of military aviation: the Soviet MIG-15, used by the North Koreans, and the F-86 Sabre, flown by the Americans and the British. -snip- The program, an installment of the “Nova” series, reveals that Soviet airmen were actually fighting on behalf of the North Koreans, a fact concealed by the Soviet and American governments at the time for fear of...

PALMDALE - Congressman Howard P. "Buck" McKeon on Friday toured the Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark, a collection of aircraft that were designed, produced, tested, flown or modified at the U.S. Air Force's Plant 42. The nine aircraft and a model of a B-2 Spirit were donated by various military branches and aerospace companies, and pieced together and refurbished by volunteers. "I'm impressed with their wealth of talent and dedication," Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford told McKeon, speaking about the volunteers. "Everything here has been done by their own hands. They have such extensive knowledge of aerospace, there is nothing they...

PALMDALE - It took more than six years and thousands of volunteer hours to transform a dusty corner into the Palmdale Plant 42 Heritage Airpark, a showcase for the many noteworthy aircraft conceived, designed, tested and built at the nearby facilities. Lovingly restored aircraft were silhouetted against the setting sun Friday night as guests gathered beneath an elegant tent to celebrate and officially dedicate the airpark and recognize the tremendous efforts of volunteers and donors to make it a reality. "There aren't many monuments dedicated to what (aerospace workers) have done," Mayor Jim Ledford said. "This is the beginning. This...