FLYING Magazine Also Went to War 80 Years Ago

Exploits of the Greatest Generation graced pages in many ways in the publication once known as Popular Aviation.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, May 09, 2025 at 10:45 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Sometimes the Axis and Allies shared a Popular Aviation cover, as happened in January 1940, when the headlines were 'MORE ALLIED-NAZI WARPLANE PHOTOS!' and 'In This Issue Canada Goes To War.' [Courtesy: Meg Godlweski]

Key Takeaways:

Popular Aviation (now FLYING Magazine) extensively covered World War II from its early stages in Europe, detailing aircraft technology, early combat like the Battle of Britain, and the practical challenges faced by airmen.
Before the U.S. entered the war, the magazine highlighted the growing need for aviation personnel, promoting pilot and mechanic training, and illustrated the initial logistical adjustments required for military aviation.
As the U.S. geared up for war, civilian aircraft manufacturers transitioned to military production, and there was a significant push for women to join the aviation workforce to build planes.
The publication also shared practical wartime aviation aspects, including pilot experiences with forced landings and features on aircraft identification, reflecting the total societal mobilization for the war effort.

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This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The United States’ entry into the war followed the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. For Great Britain, France, and Canada, hostilities began several years earlier, and Popular Aviation—what we now know today as FLYING Magazine— was writing about it.

I spent a day at the Museum of Flight in Seattle looking at back issues and seeing what the publication was doing before and during WWII.