Escape From Davao by John D. Lukacs

Posted on October 9, 2015 by atcDave

This will be the second of my occasional book reviews.  This time I was inspired to write by this fascinating story from the Philippines.  There have certainly been a number of excellent books and movies based on the POW experience and escape.  Most recent would be the book and movie Unbroken, which also deals with an unwilling guest of the Japanese. But this story probably has even more in common with The Great Raid, which is about a late war mission to rescue POWs held in the Phillipines.  At least one of those men rescued appears in this earlier story, and that rescue mission came about in part due to information from the escapees detailed here. Continue reading →

Posted in Book Reviews | Tagged , | 5 Comments

Dewoitine D.520

Posted on October 5, 2015 by atcDave

Among the less well known, and more outrageously marked air forces of World War II was that of Vichy France.

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After the jump, I’ll take a brief look the role played by this combatant. Continue reading →

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

Panzer II Ausf B

Posted on September 28, 2015 by atcDave

Blitzkreig was a new and shocking type of warfare practiced by the Germans at the start of World War Two.

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This light tank was the most numerous of the German made vehicles serving in the Wermacht at that time.  Yet it was clearly a transitionary type, and the German high command never wanted it to be a main battle tank. Continue reading →

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Supermarine Spitfire Mk VIII

Posted on September 21, 2015 by atcDave

Ooops…

Every modeler has built the kit that fought them every step of the way.  But in the end, if you get the replica you wanted, its all good.

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But sometimes the problems go deeper than a tricky kit.  What to do with a totally botched build? Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

North American P-51D Mustang

Posted on September 14, 2015 by atcDave

John C Meyer

The Mustang was flown by many famous aces, including Major John C. Meyer.

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After the jump, a look at one of his mounts. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Heinkel He162A-2 Salamander

Posted on September 6, 2015 by atcDave

The German aviation industry was very advanced.  But they were also desperate.  So late in World War Two they pushed a number of desperation projects aggressively.

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After the jump, I’ll take a quick look at an attempt at something revolutionary…   And cheap. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 16 Comments

Bell P-39Q Airacobra

Posted on August 31, 2015 by atcDave

The P-39 Airacobra soldiered on in US service into 1943, long after it was obvious it wasn’t the best fighter for most jobs.  But it took time to get newer types into service.

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After the jump, let’s look at a late model Airacobra. Continue reading →

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

Thunder Over Michigan – 2015

Posted on August 29, 2015 by atcDave

This year’s air show was a lot of fun.  Rain threatened, but missed us; so we had a perfect high overcast for a backdrop. A number of rare antique aircraft flew, and some more modern ones gave good performances.

The started with a big land battle re- enactment. Sixteen American half-tracks was said to be the largest gathering of such vehicles since the end of World War Two.

The show started with a big land battle re- enactment. Sixteen American half-tracks was said to be the largest gathering of such vehicles since the end of World War Two.

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Heavy Bomber Flyover; B-29, Avro Lancaster, and B-17.

Heavy Bomber Flyover; B-29, Avro Lancaster, and B-17.

B-29 Superfortress

B-29 Superfortress “Fifi”. This has long been the only B-29 flying in the world.

Avro Lancaster, a visitor from Canada.

Avro Lancaster, a visitor from Canada.

What do you call a man with a pink backpack? Married... And standing in the LARGE bomb bay of the Lancaster.

What do you call a man with a pink backpack? Married…
And standing in the LARGE bomb bay of the Lancaster.

A-26 Invader nose art. Funny, I've had these decals in my stash for years and have only ever seen one wartime photo of this plane. Now its on a warbird!

A-26 Invader nose art.
Funny, I’ve had these decals in my stash for years and have only ever seen one wartime photo of this plane. Now its on a warbird!

PV-2 Harpoon nose art.

PV-2 Harpoon nose art.

de Haviland Mosquito. One type I saw fly for the first time in my life today!

de Haviland Mosquito. One type I saw fly for the first time in my life today!

Mosquito weapon bay. Fighter-Bomber versions had four 20 mm cannon, and enough room for two bombs behind. Bomber versions just carried bombs.

Mosquito weapon bay. Fighter-Bomber versions had four 20 mm cannon, and enough room for two bombs behind. Bomber versions just carried bombs.

Fw190. Or a very close approximation... This is another type I saw fly for the first time today. But I could not find any information on exactly what it was. Looks like a Fw190A-9/N, sort of. But the cowling and propeller are different. Google was no help.

Fw190. Or a very close approximation…
This is another type I saw fly for the first time today. But I could not find any information on exactly what it was. Looks like a Fw190A-9/N, sort of. But the cowling and propeller are different.
Google was no help.

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer. This flew for many years as a fire fighter. It hasn't been restored to actual wartime configuration yet.

Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer. This flew for many years as a fire fighter. It hasn’t been restored to actual wartime configuration yet.

B-17 Flying Fortress. This is a

B-17 Flying Fortress. This is a “G” model backdated to look like an “F” for the movie “Memphis Belle”.

Fifi in flight. She always looks steady and imperturbable.

Fifi in flight. She always looks steady and imperturbable.

PV-2 Harpoon.

PV-2 Harpoon.

B-25 Mitchell. There were at least five flying today. So many they almost lost in the shuffle.

B-25 Mitchell. There were at least five flying today. So many they almost got lost in the shuffle.

Sorry about the quality of some of these pictures.  We didn’t take any of the good equipment because rain was in the forecast.  But we had an iPhone, and my wife was a huge help and cleaned up some of these for me.

In addition to what is shown we saw a tactical demo of an F-16, Michael Goulian in his Extra300 and the Blue Angels.  Just a perfect day.

Posted in Air Show | Tagged , | 12 Comments

Thunder Over Michigan – 2015

Posted on August 28, 2015 by atcDave

A big reminder to everyone in Southeast Michigan, or can get to Southeast Michigan…

Big airshow this weekend.  The Blue Angels are the headliners, but there will be significant other performers; B-29, DeHaviland Mosquito, Fw190, Me262, Avro Lancaster and many others.

Funny thing, I’m currently reading a book, B-29 Combat Missions by Donald Nijboer on my breaks.  So after lunch I head upstairs to work and promptly get the call from our approach control “apreq November Five Two Niner Bravo through your Delta”.  Pretty routine stuff so I approved it.  And guess what, apparently “29B” is a B-29!  So here comes Fifi serenely cruising by the tower at 2500 feet.  Sweet!  And I had a grandstand seat.  I love airshow time of year.

Yesterday we had a PV-2 Harpoon pass through, oh and a particular flight of bright blue F-18s pass low over the tower.

I will be at Willow Run tomorrow (8/29) and it should be a great time!  I’ll try to take pictures this year.

Posted in Air Show | Tagged | 2 Comments

Nakajima Ki-44 Tojo

Posted on August 23, 2015 by atcDave

Another atypical Japanese fighter, designed in direct response to how the Japanese saw international trends in aerial combat.

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After the jump, a Japanese interceptor. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 7 Comments