Lockheed’s big Lightning first came to prominence late in the North Africa campaign.

Let’s look at a primary operator of the type.
Continue readingLockheed’s big Lightning first came to prominence late in the North Africa campaign.
Let’s look at a primary operator of the type.
Continue readingThe Sherman Tank served almost every place the US Army did in World War II.
Let’s take another look at the ubiquitous Sherman.
Continue readingI’ve built another one. I feel like I have a pretty good assortment of fuel trucks at this point!
What can we say about this Luftwaffe service vehicle?
Continue readingWerner Shroer
One of the more successful fighter pilots against the Western Allies. Let’s take a look at Werner Shroer who rose from enlisted ranks to high Luftwaffe Command during the War years.
Continue readingThis twin was Japan’s attempt at a twin engine “heavy fighter”.
Serving from 1942 to the end of the War, the Ki-45 can be regarded a reasonable entry to the genre.
Continue readingOnce again, I fearlessly embrace utilitarian over anything actually interesting!
So let’s take a (hopefully) brief look at something necessary.
Continue readingLight Aircraft (Liaison/Support/Training)
That was fun, and took a little longer than I expected. I don’t think I’ll revisit this theme, but I still have another Stearman and Bf 108 that will show up some other way at a later date.
I’ll let you all in on a little secret, I kind of considered this a bunch of aircraft I wasn’t really very interested in. The Stearman and Po-2 were truly about Dave learning to be less intimidated by rigging. The Staggerwing also has some, but surprisingly little.
I’ll call the rigging a valuable and semi-successful lesson. I may approach a stash of Gladiators and CR.42s with less apprehension than I previously had!
Ironically, the Bf 108 wound up being the least acceptable build of the bunch! I just failed on the glossy two-tone finish. And by the time I knew I’d failed I was too lazy to go back.
As I stated at the beginning of this, I will take a couple months off from “themes” and do some vehicles. Four of those are planned before I jump into the next theme, probably late winter/early Spring 2021.
Coming soon… Hypotheticals
Looking like a relic from the previous War, this trainer found widespread use in the Soviet air force from before to after World War II.
Let’s look at a type that seemed lost in time yet provided valuable service.
Continue readingThe 356th Fighter Group was among the lesser known, but more colorfully marked units of the 8th Air Force.
Continue readingFrom an outside view it seems clear the War was all but over at the start of 1945, but for those involved combat remained intense and relentless towards an Apocalyptic end.
Bombing 84 (VB-84) on the USS Bunker Hill had a noteworthy, late, tour of duty.
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