Panzer VI Tiger

Posted on March 11, 2021 by atcDave

Germany’s famous, and very heavy Tiger tank entered production Summer of 1942.

Time for a quick look at one of the very first to see combat.

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

Grumman F3F-2

Posted on March 9, 2021 by atcDave

The US Navy pushed through a last generation of “modern” biplane fighters when most other air arms were switching to monoplanes.

Let’s take a look at the ultimate expression of a passing era.

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Posted in Fighter, Trainer, USA | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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 , , | 17 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 , | 4 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 Japan, Vehicle | Tagged , | 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!

Messerschmitt Bf 108B-1 Taifun
Beechcraft YC-43 Staggerwing
Polikarpov U-2
Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet

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 , , | 12 Comments