Fellow Warbird Enthusiasts,
Welcome to what I hope will be a challenging, informative, but most of all enjoyable look at Second World War aviation from an engineering and design perspective. To get started, make sure you have made yourself familiar with the Course Guide where you will find a comprehensive outline of all course policies procedures, and modus operandi.

Please be aware that this course has been designed following the Individualized Instruction model, where learners are expected to assume increased responsibility in their own personalized learning experience. While some of you are probably novices in developing learning contracts of individualized learning tasks, I am confident that you will find the resulting 'tailored' learning an enrichening experience.

My first narrative (provided below) will get us started with a little bit of background information of the historical development of the heavy bomber.

As always, if you have any questions, please contact me right away.

Welcome aboard!

Collings Foundation's B-24World War II marked the inception of an entirely new brand of warfare. No longer could commanders think in only two dimensions, the air war added a deadly third. And it was from this "third dimension" that Allied forces penetrated Hitler's "Fortress Europe" and rained the devastation that ultimately led to the capitulation of the once venerated Reich. But even as B-17s and B-24s fought their way through Europe's flak-filled skies, the real victory was being won at home, on the drawing boards and assembly lines of the aircraft designers and manufacturers. more...
  • Demonstrate competence/ comfort in the online learning environment
  • Discuss the historical background for course content
  • Share personal histories, interests, and ideas with classmates

There is no assigned textbook for this course. However, it is expected that students will reference several publications and other resources in the completion of the coursework. Books that receive positive reviews from students will be added to a course recommended reading list.
General Billy Mitchell Award Billy Mitchell
 
The Spirit of Billy Mitchell Gen. Billy Mitchell
Mitchell: National Aviation Hall of Fame Martin MB-2
The Real Billy Mitchell Boeing Monomail
Billy Mitchell: Aviation Pioneer Boeing Model 247
Boeing Model 299
   
United States Air Force Museum National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian)

History of The Army Air Corps Song | Air Corps Song Wav File
Recording Bomber Crew Communications Over Intercom
B-17 Flyby (windows media player)
Martin B-10 Specifications

A B24 from WWII was on display Tuesday at the Executive Air Hangar in Mattydale. Chris Misciagna of Fairmount looks at the planes machine gun. - Stephen D. Cannerelli Syracuse Post-Standard Visit the "Student Bio's" forum in the class discussion board, and post a message introducing yourself to the rest of the class. Include any personal information you feel is pertinent, and be sure to include your experience/interest in World War II bomber technology, and your reasons for taking the class.

Begin to consider possible personal learning tasks for the course, start a draft learning task proposal/ learning contract. Refer to the Course Guide for more details.

If you have any general course related questions, suggestions, or concerns, please post them in the "Suggestion Box" Discussion Board forum. Postings to this forum can be made anonymously if desired. As always, individual issues can be emailed directly to the instructor.

To complete the Introductory Unit

  • B-25 "Betty's Dream"Read the Course Guide
  • Examine the Unit Objectives
  • Read the Instructor's Narrative
  • Explore the provided Links and Multimedia
  • Post a Personal Bio/ Introduction
  • Participate in any active Course Discussions

Remember: The Introductory Unit runs through week one, check the Course Timeline for details. Stay on Target!
Martin B-10-B bomber