Mary Riddle (1902 – 1981), a member of the Satsop and Clatsop tribes, was born Nannie Riddell in Bridgeport, Washington. She also owned property on the... more >
The Museum of Flight Blog
Your destination for stories and insights on all things aviation and aerospace.
Boeing's Big Leaps
October 28, 2021
Before this issue went to press, I had the opportunity to tour the B-17 and B-29 in the Collection. I've been in B-17s before, but I had never stepped... more >
Eugene Bullard, the First African American Fighter Pilot and Veteran of Two World Wars
January 18, 2021
Eugene Bullard (1895 – 1961) was among the first black military pilots in the world. There were around five black military pilots in World War I, and... more >
Stories of a B-17 Pilot
June 29, 2019
The B-17 has seen its fair share of stories during its illustrious history. At The Museum of Flight, we are blessed to have the only flyable B-17F model... more >
Who Are The Night Witches?
October 17, 2018
Besides having what just might be the coolest name in aviation history, the Night Witches were a tough bunch of women pilots and navigators who stood... more >
The Gooney Bird: Unsung Hero of WWII
August 29, 2018
It’s said that when General Dwight D. Eisenhower was asked to name the weapons that led to the Allied victory in WWII, he didn’t mention bombers or... more >
A Short History of the Tuskegee Airmen
April 11, 2018
When the Tuskegee Airmen were first established, Jim Crow laws and racist military policies prevented black men and women from serving in positions... more >
A Short History of the B-17
April 5, 2018
The B-17 is one of history’s most significant aircraft for its role in the European and Pacific theater during World War II. It’s an iconic plane in the... more >
A Short History of the Spitfire
February 6, 2018
Why is the Supermarine Spitfire a symbol of British national pride? While its history has often been traced back to the Schneider Trophy’s sea plane race... more >
