Category Archives: Soviet Union

Ilyusin Il-2m3 Sturmovik

One of the ubiquitous aircraft types of World War II, the Il-2 Sturmovik was used in mass formations over the eastern front to wreak havoc on German armor. Let’s take a brief look at this key close support type.

Posted in Bomber - Tactical, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 27 Comments

Polikarpov I-16 Type 17

The I-16 had been mostly successful in the Spanish Civil War. But among its noted deficiencies was heavy firepower for close support work. Join me for a brief look at an I-16 type designed for ground pounding.

Posted in Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

GAZ Ba-64b Armored Car

This light armored car saw service from 1942 to the end of WWII. After the jump, a brief look.

Posted in Armor, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Lavochkin La-7

One of the very best Soviet fighters of the war, the La-7 was the last and best of a series of wartime designs from Lavochkin. After the jump, a look at one of the War’s great fighters.

Posted in Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

IS-2 Joseph Stalin Tank

The Eastern Front of World War II saw a constant spiral of increasing tank sizes, gun sizes and armor thickness.  The largest allied tank to actually see widespread service during the war years, the IS-2 was built to be a Tiger … Continue reading

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

Polikarpov I-16 Type 10

Japan and China went to war in 1937.  Sometimes known as the Second Sino-Japanese War, this blurred into War War II in 1939, and even more so in 1941.  It didn’t end until the atomic bombing of 1945. After the … Continue reading

Posted in China, Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3

When Germany attacked Russia in June of 1941, the Soviets had just begun a massive modernization program. One of the “new” designs entering service was a high altitude interceptor.  After the jump, a look at the MiG-3.

Posted in Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

T-34/76

One of the most important weapons to come out of the war was the Soviet T-34 tank.  It revolutionized tank design and shocked the Germans. After the jump, a brief look at one of the best all around designs of … Continue reading

Posted in Armor, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

Polikarpov I-16 Type 18

This stubby little fighter was state of the art in the early 1930s.  It continued in use until well into World War II, when it was clearly past its prime. After the jump, an extremely prolific Soviet fighter.

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

1941 Model 1.5 ton Military Truck

If that title/name is frustratingly vague for you, I’ve got a fun story for this one.  I have to start by saying I’m not really in to trucks, but I do like building and having a variety of vehicles and … Continue reading

Posted in Soviet Union, Vehicle | Tagged , | 2 Comments