Pacific War Trilogy by Ian W. Toll

I’ve just finished the second book of Ian Toll’s massive new history of the Pacific War. This epic combines the best of historic research and readable narrative.

Join me for a brief look at will surely be one of the most important complete histories of this theater. Continue reading

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 59 Comments

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.

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Let’s take a brief look at this key close support type. Continue reading

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

Hawker Hurricane Mk IIb trop

Another desert warrior.  For a significant period of time the Hurricane was THE key British fighter serving in North Africa until sufficient Spitfires arrived in theater.

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Join me a brief look at a Hurricane that served during that transition period. Continue reading

Posted in Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 15 Comments

Douglass A-20G Havoc

This is a lesser known aircraft from a lesser known bomb group. But the 417th Bomb Group fought a hard war, in a tough environment, at the end of a long supply chain.

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After the jump, a look at this Pacific warrior. Continue reading

Posted in Bomber - Tactical, USA | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Messerschmitt Me262A-1a

The Me262 was the only jet that approached wide spread service during World War II.

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After the jump, a brief look at this pioneering jet. Continue reading

Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 20 Comments

Cessna OA-37B Dragonfly

This is a bit off topic!

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After the jump, I’ll share a look at an Air Force Attack type that dates from the 1960s. Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous | Tagged , | 18 Comments

North American P-51B Mustang

Malcolm Hood

One minor complaint with the early Mustangs was poor visibility to the rear.  This was not an uncommon problem with fighters of the era.

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After the jump, a look at one attempt to fix this problem. Continue reading

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Crusader Mk III Tank

From 1941 through early 1943 epic tank battles raged across North Africa.

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Join me for a brief look at a British tank from late in that campaign.

Continue reading

Posted in Armor, Britain | Tagged , , | 16 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.

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Join me for a brief look at an I-16 type designed for ground pounding. Continue reading

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

Supermarine Spitfire Mk IXc

Supermarine’s famous Spitfire served from the first day of World War II to the last.  The Mk IX was an expedient introduced in mid-1942 that would become the major type for the last half of the war.

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After the jump, a brief look at one such plane in American service. Continue reading

Posted in Britain, Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 18 Comments