May 27, 1941 – German Pocket Battleship Bismarck is sunk in the North Atlantic.  Fairey Swordfish torpedo planes from HMS Ark Royal attacked the Bismarck late on May 26, jamming the rudder and steering gear of the mighty ship and rendering Bismarck virtually unmaneuverable and only able to steam in a large circle.  On the morning of the 27th, Bristish Battleships Rodney and King George V as well as heavy cruisers Norfolk and Dorsetshire began firing apon the stricken ship.   Bismarck slipped beneath the waves at 10:39am local time taking 1,995 of her 2,200 men with her to the bottom.

May 27, 1958 – The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II makes its maiden flight with pilot Robert C. Little at the controls.  The Phantom II was developed as a fleet defense fighter for the US Navy and would enter service in 1960.  By 1963 the F-4 was also serving with the US Air Force as a fighter-bomber.  5,195 Phantoms were produced over 24 years serving in the US Navy, Marine Corp and Air Force.  At one point both the US Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force’s Thunderbirds demonstration teams flew this aircraft.