Author Archives: atcDave

About atcDave

I'm 5o-something years old and live in Ypsilanti, Michigan. I'm happily married to Jodie. I was an air traffic controller for 33 years and recently retired; grew up in the Chicago area, and am still a fanatic for pizza and the Chicago Bears. My main interest is military history, and my related hobbies include scale model building and strategy games.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIb

A clear problem with early War British fighters was a lack of heavy firepower. Let’s take a look at the first production model to overcome that shortfall.

Posted in Britain, Fighter, Poland | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Lavochkin LaGG-3

When Nazi Germany launched their War against the Soviet Union in June, 1941, the Soviet Air Force had just started an aggressive modernization program. Let’s take a look at one of those new types just getting into service.

Posted in Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 5 Comments

Thought for Today

I remember as a young teen, just getting interested in World War II and aircraft, the CAF B-17 “Texas Raiders” was the first warbird I ever saw. And the first I ever toured. Spent a lot of time one Saturday … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | 2 Comments

North American P-51C Mustang

Another look at a combatant from the least known of the major theaters of operation. Let’s take a look at a successful CBI pilot and aircraft.

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IIa

The first American ace of World War II scored his fifth kill before his homeland was even in the War. Let’s take a look at a significant, if lesser known accomplishment.

Posted in Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf 109G-2

By Spring of 1942 the first mass produced variant of the Bf 109 “G” was entering combat service. Let’s take a look at one from that year, and an important fighter pilot.

Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Avro Lancaster B Mk I

The Lancaster is another of the great, iconic aircraft of World War II. Also the last of the major Allied “heavies” that I haven’t featured yet at this site. Let’s take a look at this very important British bomber.

Posted in Bomber - Strategic, Britain | Tagged , , | 30 Comments

Theme Build 5

Spitfire It seems obvious to have a Theme Build of all one type of aircraft. And there’s a few types I have many examples of. I think I’ve mentioned a few times that I have so many Mustangs I hardly … Continue reading

Posted in Theme Build | 9 Comments

Panzer III Ausf.N

Panzer III is one of those weapons that went from state of the art, to obsolete over the course of the War. Let’s take a look at the final form of this medium tank.

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Republic P-43A Lancer

Among the less known types of the USAAF in World War II. Let’s take a look at an aircraft that was important as a development, if not for actual combat.

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 7 Comments