U.S. forces have a history of flying spectacular aircraft.

In this issue’s cover story, former P-3 pilot Robert Bernier reports on the origins and legacy of an airplane that was in production for more than 40 years. Delve into the history of the Northrop P-61 Black Widow in this issue as well. Discover all this and more in Air & Space Quarterly.

 

Articles

Front view of a four engine military aircraft at night.

The P-3 Orion Was Made for Hunting Submarines

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A vocano spews lava and smoke as a small aircraft makes a close pass..

How Active Volcanoes Can Put Airplanes in Danger

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A black, twin-engine airplane is on display inside a dimly lit museum gallery. The airplane has a twin-boom tail and a long nose with a plexiglass-covered forward cockpit.

The Fascinating History of a P-61 Black Widow

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This archival image depicts a flat barren landscape with a single pillar of dense white smoke at the center of the photo.

That Time We Bombed a Volcano

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A middle-aged man stands in front of a vintage biplane in a dark museum setting.

A Beautiful Restored Biplane Represents a Future That Never Was

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A rendering of a museum gallery with a small aircraft suspended from the ceiling visible in the foreground and a weather balloon in the background, with interpretive panels throughout the space.

Our Changing Planet

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Back Issues
    A cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine with helicopter flying and a mountainous landscape behind it. The headline reads "Training Day."

    Spring 2026

    A cover of a magazine shows people in the 1920s in dresses and suits standing under an airplane with three propellers. There are suitcases at their feet. The photo has been colorized in a way that signals its old. A text overlay over the top reads "Air & Space Quarterly" and "Carrying a Nation's Dreams."

    Winter 2026

    A magazine cover showing a shiny airplane with the text "Hughes' Muse" evident.

    Fall 2025

    A magazine cover showing a large airplane in the air, with the text "Farewell to a Legned" over top.

    Summer 2025

    The cover of Air & Space Quarterly shows a historic biplane flying over a forest, it's propellor spinning rapidly in a blur.

    Spring 2025

    A magazine cover with a large white plane on it and stardust background.

    Winter 2025

    The cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine with the text "The Salvage Debate" over an image of a submerged aircraft and a diver behind it.

    Fall 2024

    A cover of Air & Space Quarterly magazine, featuring the Blue Angels and the text "Dancing on Air."

    Summer 2024

    Two balloons light up against the dawn sky. Text reads "Up, up, and away".

    Spring 2024

    "Last Call Chance at Reno" plane landing with mountains in the back.

    Winter 2024

    A airship flys through the clouds.

    Fall 2023

    Cover of Air and Space Quarterly Summer 2023 Issue

    Summer 2023