Showing results by author "B.Z. Kelly" in All Categories

As powered flight was in its infancy, the transatlantic cable brought news reports "over the wire" from Europe to the United States in hours. These news reports shed light on the development of the large rigid airships and uncovered many amazing facts. Some of those facts include that Orville Wright rode aboard a Zeppelin prior to WWI, and one Zeppelin was captured because none of the bullets fired at it, including those of the commanding officer after the crash, would light the craft on fire.

The Army's need: An automatic pistol with the stopping power of the .45 caliber Colt single action Army revolver. Colt and John Browning collaborated to meet the Army's need. The result was the greatest combat pistol ever designed. This book examines why the Army insisted on .45 caliber, the innovation required to meet that requirement, and how the model of 1911 beat the competition in reliability, function, and feel.

From a very young age, Gino Pastori knew he wanted to fly the iconic DC-3. He wanted to fly freight because it was flown at night. Gino shares his memories of what it took to become a commercial pilot and what it was like to live the dream. With more than 7,400 flying hours logged in DC-3s, there were many incredible flying stories. This memoir includes the most memorable stories, such as flying a plane after being temporarily blinded by a lightning strike.

"Suddenly in Debt" is a short story about Terrence Finn, a PI who's on another routine case when he suddenly finds that he owes his life to strangers. They return to collect.

Smuggler's Grift is a pulp-fiction-inspired novella set in the mid-1950s. Brody Malone is a former US Army pilot that now flies his own DC-3 for hire. He flies discreetly from Florida to Cuba and other destinations in the Caribbean. Brody flies with his trusty dog, Cargo. He trusts few and lives by his own rules.

By 1909, internal combustion engines had become powerful enough and light enough that many aeroplane designs could take to the sky. Aeronauts began competing to be the first, the fastest, to fly the highest or fly the longest. Since their flight at Kitty Hawk, the Wrights pursued royalties on their patents. The Aero Club de France was full of aeronauts that were both rivals and collaborators.