Today in World War II History—May 6, 1941

“Bob Hope Entertaining Troops Somewhere in England” by Floyd Davis, 1942 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—May 6, 1941: Bob Hope performs at March Army Air Field, Riverside, CA, his first USO show for troops.

Experimental flight of Republic XP-47 Thunderbolt fighter plane, Long Island, NY.

Igor Sikorsky flies the first official rotor helicopter flight, of a Vought-Sikorsky in Stratford, CT; flight lasts over one hour.

Poster for Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter planes, World War II

Igor Sikorsky in the last version of the VS-300, at the end of 1941 (US government photo)