Boeing P-26C Peashooter

Posted on April 5, 2015 by atcDave

New and revolutionary in 1932, by the time World War II started the P-26 was clearly past its time. Yet it still saw combat in a very limited capacity.

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After the jump, a look at a little fighter and its combat career. Continue reading →

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

What’s in a Name – Great Britain

Posted on March 30, 2015 by atcDave

“It’s the sort of bloody silly name they would give it…” RJ Mitchell, head designer of the Spitfire

Uniquely among the wartime powers Great Britain used names as the primary designation for all production aircraft.  Let’s take a brief look at the British system. Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Dave's Essays | Tagged | 6 Comments

Mitsubishi A6M2 Model 21 Zero

Posted on March 29, 2015 by atcDave

The best known Japanese aircraft of World War II is the A6M Zero.  This really isn’t even close.

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After the jump, a look at the type that shocked the western allies and dominated the first year of the Pacific War. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

More Involved Camouflage

Posted on March 28, 2015 by atcDave

Since my previous build project was such a simple paint scheme, I did want to post just this one example of the Hurricane I’m currently working one.

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On a project like this its common for masking to be a very time consuming process!

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Related Post: Hawker Hurricane Mk IIc

Posted in Build Project | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Fieseler Fi156C-5 Storch

Posted on March 22, 2015 by atcDave

Different from a more traditional warbird sort, the Fieseler Storch was a light aircraft used for communications, moving officers in the vicinity of the front, and a variety of miscellaneous missions where extreme short field performance was required.

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Join me for a brief look at an all-purpose light aircraft. Continue reading →

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

Grumman F6F-5 Hellcat

Posted on March 15, 2015 by atcDave

David McCampbell

The US Navy’s top ace of World War II, David McCampbell has several interesting claims to fame.

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After the jump, a brief look at the ace and his most successful mount. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Kyushu J7W Shinden

Posted on March 8, 2015 by atcDave

A late war prototype, the J7W was an interesting project designed to combat American B-29 formations.

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After the jump, a look at where the Japanese could have gone if the war lasted a little longer. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Hypothetical, Japan, prototype | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

SdKfz 2 Kettenkraftrad

Posted on March 4, 2015 by atcDave

This small tractor was first made for airborne divisions. It is air transportable and meant as an all-terrain light artillery tug. It quickly found roles with other types of units in a variety of light tractor functions.

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Continue reading →

Posted in Germany, Vehicle | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bristol Beaufighter Mk If

Posted on March 1, 2015 by atcDave

The Bristol Beaufighter may have been the first design meant to be a night fighter from the very start. It entered service in early 1941 to combat the Luftwaffe’s night time blitz of English cities.

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After the jump, a brief look at this capable aircraft. Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Fighter - Night | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

North American P-51B Mustang

Posted on February 24, 2015 by atcDave

By the end of World War II the Mustang was being used in every theater of operations by the Army Air Force.

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After the jump, a look at a China based P-51B. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 2 Comments