Author Archives: atcDave

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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.

Sd.Kfz. 250/3

Posted on February 7, 2017 by atcDave

This light armored half-track saw service from early 1941 to the end of the War. Join me for a brief look at this German fighting vehicle.

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , | 14 Comments

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted on January 27, 2017 by atcDave

In the last year or so of World War II camouflage was not really a big concern for Allied forces any longer.  That, combined with more time and resources led to many young men going to extreme lengths with the … Continue reading →

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

Radical Integrity: The Story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer by Michael Van Dyke

Posted on January 7, 2017 by atcDave

In some ways this book is tangential to the military history I usually read.  Yet the epic of World War II influenced, shaped or ruined people from all walks of life.  In that sense it isn’t too far afield to … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Pearl Harbor by Craig Nelson

Posted on December 17, 2016 by atcDave

So far on this site I’ve posted less than a dozen book reviews, yet I find myself now revisiting the Pearl Harbor raid.  No doubt this is an important and complicated event! Join with me for a second look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 8 Comments

Arado Ar234B-2

Posted on December 13, 2016 by atcDave

Although the race for jet fighters usually gets most of the attention for late war aircraft designs, other types were developed too. Join me for a brief look at the tail end of the global war and the first jet … Continue reading →

Posted in Bomber - Tactical, Germany | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

The Fleet at Flood Tide by James D. Hornfischer

Posted on November 25, 2016 by atcDave

An account of the last year of World War II in the Pacific, this book is the latest from the author of “Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors” and “Neptune’s Inferno”. Join me for a brief look at an … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Komatsu G40

Posted on November 20, 2016 by atcDave

The Japanese were behind other major powers in the development of wartime construction equipment, but late in World War II this bulldozer was used in expanding airfields and roads in the shrunken Empire. Join me for a brief look at … Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Vehicle | Tagged , | 11 Comments

Macchi C.205V Veltro

Posted on October 31, 2016 by atcDave

Italy is one of those countries with a confused wartime history.  Early in the war, Italy’s fascist dictator Benito Mussolini sided with Germany and Japan as the third “major” power of the Axis.  But in the end Italians fought and … Continue reading →

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

Curtiss Hawk 81A-2

Posted on October 20, 2016 by atcDave

Flying Tigers In the first six months of war against Japan, allied successes were few and far between.  One of the bright spots was a small group of American mercenaries flying for a disgruntled, half deaf old fighter pilot on … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Another Day at The Museum of the United States Air Force

Posted on September 1, 2016 by atcDave

I last visited the US Air Force Museum two years ago and wrote about it here.  This is a place I could enjoy quite often, so when they provided the excuse of opening a new building this summer I had … Continue reading →

Posted in Museums | Tagged , | 17 Comments