North American P-51D Mustang

Posted on January 20, 2021 by atcDave

The 356th Fighter Group was among the lesser known, but more colorfully marked units of the 8th Air Force.

Continue reading →
Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Curtiss SB2C-4E Helldiver

Posted on January 18, 2021 by atcDave

From an outside view it seems clear the War was all but over at the start of 1945, but for those involved combat remained intense and relentless towards an Apocalyptic end.

Bombing 84 (VB-84) on the USS Bunker Hill had a noteworthy, late, tour of duty.

Continue reading →
Posted in Bomber - Tactical, USA | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Supermarine Spitfire Mk Vb trop

Posted on December 30, 2020 by atcDave

Malta

An epic 29 month siege of the strategic island of Malta was a central part of the Mediterranean Campaign.

Like the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire became the Allies’ iconic image of that fight.

Continue reading →
Posted in Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 11 Comments

Boeing-Stearman PT-17 Kaydet

Posted on December 21, 2020 by atcDave

Among the important, War winning hardware we rarely consider are the all important trainers.

So let’s take a look at a well known Primary Trainer.

Continue reading →
Posted in Trainer, USA | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Petlyakov Pe-2

Posted on December 14, 2020 by atcDave

We’ve already talked about how the great bulk of Soviet air power was destroyed in vast quantities at the start of the War in the East.

But of course there’s far more to the story than that. Let’s take a look at the modern face of Soviet air power in the later part of the War.

Continue reading →
Posted in Bomber - Tactical, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Posted on December 9, 2020 by atcDave

Republic’s big fighter is best known for its epic battles over Germany, and later for its role as a close support heavy weight.

Yet it also played a role in the Pacific War. Let’s take a look.

Continue reading →
Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Beechcraft YC-43 Staggerwing

Posted on December 7, 2020 by atcDave

In 1932 Beechcraft introduced a new high performance, luxury executive aircraft. The Model 17 Staggerwing quickly became a pilot favorite. It was fast, powerful and modern.

As War clouds gathered the type was pressed into military service from Spain to China to England. Let’s take a look.

Continue reading →
Posted in Liason, prototype, USA | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Kawasaki Ki-100

Posted on November 13, 2020 by atcDave

This late War Japanese Army fighter was almost certainly the most important Japanese aircraft to never get an Allied code name.

Let’s take a look at a seriously good airplane that seems to have escaped the notice of Allied intelligence.

Continue reading →
Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf 108B-1 Taifun

Posted on November 9, 2020 by atcDave

Every nation had light civil aircraft that were used for light duty currier and transport work.

Let’s look at one in the bloodline of a famous warrior.

Continue reading →
Posted in Germany, Liason | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Douglass C-47 Skytrain

Posted on November 4, 2020 by atcDave

Perhaps the most important type that didn’t carry guns or bombs.

Let’s take a look at a truly key aircraft.

Continue reading →
Posted in transport, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments