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March 2012

Smithsonian magazine delivers trusted and incisive reporting on history, science, nature, culture and travel.

Features

space station

The World's Highest Laboratory

The space station's finished. Now what?

F/A-18C

100 Years of Marine Aviation

A salute to 10 aircraft that carried the few and the proud into history

Aluminum Overcast

At the B-17 Co-op

Like bomber crews on 100-plane raids, today’s B-17 owners find strength—and survival—in numbers

Eric Anderson

Extraterrestrial Outfitter

If you're planning an off-world vacation, there's only one name to call: Eric Anderson

First Motion Picture Unit made hundreds of G.I. training films

World War II: The Movie

When the U.S. Army Air Forces needed 100,000 men to volunteer, General Hap Arnold recruited Hollywood.

XP6M-1

Cancelled: The Navy's SeaMaster

The Navy wanted a nuclear bomber of its own; the Glenn Martin Company thought, Why not a flying boat?

Or-Die-Trying-Flash.jpg

Or Die Trying

After the Wright brothers flew, a handful of inventors were determined to join them.

Departments

Viewport

Viewport: Airborne Artillery

Viewport: Airborne Artillery

Uncategorized

D.A.S.H. Goes to War

The first rotary-wing UAV entered military service in 1962—and remained in operation until 1997.

Uncategorized

The Last Bombing Run

They survived the mission; would they survive the landing?

Uncategorized

Fred vs. Skylab

A welcome-home party for what was left of a space station.

Uncategorized

One Fast Yak

How Will Whiteside and his team transformed a light trainer into a racer.