Lockheed P-38F Lightning

Posted on March 2, 2021 by atcDave

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

Let’s look at a primary operator of the type.

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Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

M4A1 Sherman

Posted on February 24, 2021 by atcDave

The Sherman Tank served almost every place the US Army did in World War II.

Let’s take another look at the ubiquitous Sherman.

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Posted in Armor, USA | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Opel Blitz Fuel Truck

Posted on February 16, 2021 by atcDave

I’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?

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Posted in Germany, Vehicle | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-7 trop

Posted on February 10, 2021 by atcDave

Werner 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.

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Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Kawasaki Ki-45 Nick

Posted on February 8, 2021 by atcDave

This 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.

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Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Isuzu TX40

Posted on February 4, 2021 by atcDave

Once again, I fearlessly embrace utilitarian over anything actually interesting!

So let’s take a (hopefully) brief look at something necessary.

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Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments

Theme Build 1 – Complete

Posted on January 23, 2021 by atcDave

Light 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!

I found the most flattering angle for the Bf 108.

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

Posted in Theme Build | 8 Comments

Polikarpov U-2

Posted on January 22, 2021 by atcDave

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.

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Posted in Soviet Union, Trainer | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

North American P-51D Mustang

Posted on January 20, 2021 by atcDave

The 356th Fighter Group was among the lesser known, but more colorfully marked units of the 8th Air Force.

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Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Curtiss SB2C-4E Helldiver

Posted on January 18, 2021 by atcDave

From 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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Posted in Bomber - Tactical, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments