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On this date in 1996 three B-2 Spirit stealth bombers destroyed 16 targets with 16 smart bombs at the Nellis AFB range.

On this date in 1940 the XF4U-1 Corsair prototype established a speed record of 405 miles per hour- surpassing the 400 maek for the first time.

ON this date in 1999 the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird flew for the last time.

On this date in 1986 the Agusta-Westland EH101 (AW101) Merlin flew for the first time.

On this date in 1956 the Lockheed L1649 Starliner flew for the first time. She was the ultimate Connie.

In our more obscure aircraft file, #OTD in 1938, the Westland Whirlwind made its first flight. At the time, it was one of the fastest combat aircraft in the world and with four 20 mm cannon in its nose, one of the most heavily armed.
Unfortunately, development problems with the Rolls-Royce Peregrine engines delayed the project, and later, needing to focus on the Merlin and Vulture, RR had to give up on Peregrine production. The Whirlwind was incapable of using a larger engine without a significant redesign and it took nearly three times as much alloy to build as a Spitfire, so few were built before production finally had to be halted in 1942.
Did you know about the Whirlwind?

On this date in 2000 the Space Shuttle Discovery blasted off on the 100th Space Shuttle mission.

On this date in 2011 the 747-8F went into service with Cargolux.