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.

Thunder Over Michigan – 2016

Posted on August 20, 2016 by atcDave

Today was a grey and muggy day in southeast Michigan, so I was concerned at how much of a show we’d even see.  And for the second year in a row we left my wife’s good camera at home due … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Show | Tagged | 13 Comments

Thunder Over Michigan – 2016

Posted on August 15, 2016 by atcDave

A reminder for everyone in southeast Michigan, or anyone who can get there on a day trip.  Thunder Over Michigan, the annual air show put on by the Yankee Air Force is this weekend, August 20 and 21.  I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Air Show | Tagged | 4 Comments

Vought SB2U-3 Vindicator

Posted on June 18, 2016 by atcDave

This dive bomber was one of the first generation monoplanes in Navy service and was thoroughly obsolete at the outbreak of World War II in the Pacific.  Yet a small number served in Marine squadrons until the Battle of Midway. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bomber - Naval, USA | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

Fire and Fury by Randall Hansen

Posted on June 10, 2016 by atcDave

This is a fascinating and well written book on the combined bomber offensive, that is, British and American strategic bomber operations against Nazi Germany. Join me for a brief look a thoughtful and well researched study.

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 16 Comments

Programming Note

Posted on June 3, 2016 by atcDave

It looks like I jinxed myself a couple weeks ago by saying I expected to get so much work done this summer!  Family emergencies, in addition to more normal summer chaos have made this a difficult time to get anything … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative | 10 Comments

Panzer 38(t)

Posted on May 8, 2016 by atcDave

This prolific early war tank was a key part of the Wehrmacht’s Panzer divisions even though it was never made in Germany.  It’s derivatives would remain in production past the war’s end. Join me for a look at an important … Continue reading →

Posted in Armor, Czechoslovakia, Germany | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf109F-2

Posted on April 25, 2016 by atcDave

Germany’s Bf109 is one of those iconic types that served through the entire war and is a symbol of that nation’s war effort.  Like other long serving types the Bf109 was modified heavily during that time. Join me for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Germany, Spain | Tagged , , | 24 Comments

The Last Battle by Stephen Harding

Posted on April 22, 2016 by atcDave

This surprising story is from the waning days of World War II in Europe.  An old Austrian castle being used as a prison for French VIP prisoners becomes a battle ground when their American liberators and “tame” Wehrmacht regulars come … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 7 Comments

American Commando by John Wukovits

Posted on April 15, 2016 by atcDave

The US Marine 2nd Raider Battalion, with its colorful and controversial commander Evans Carlson, made plenty of headlines during World War II, but this is the first serious attempt at a history of that unit as far as I know. … Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 6 Comments

Post Update

Posted on April 4, 2016 by atcDave

Reader JT Broecker just read my B-25 post and recognized the subject aircraft as one flown by his Uncle, John “Jack” Morrissey during the war.  He was kind enough to provide this photo that has now been added to the … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative | 2 Comments