Hawker Typhoon Mk Ib

Posted on January 25, 2015 by atcDave

Maybe not quite as well known as some types, the Hawker Typhoon was a fast and powerful machine that became best known for close support work.

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After the jump, a fighter best at working down low! Continue reading →

Posted in Britain, Fighter | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf110G-2

Posted on January 20, 2015 by atcDave

The Bf110 is perhaps best known as a disappointment from the early part of the war.  But it proved to be capable in many roles, especially in the final “Gustav” variant.

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After the jump, a look at the Bf110 as a light attack aircraft. Continue reading →

Posted in Bomber - Tactical, Germany | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Vought F4U-1 Corsair

Posted on January 18, 2015 by atcDave

The air war in the Pacific was one of bloody attrition through the first year of the war. But early in 1943 a new generation of high performance fighters were deployed by the Allies against Japan. This meant kill ratios started to change dramatically.

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After the jump, a look at one of the first of these improved types. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 19 Comments

Savoia Marchetti SM.79-II

Posted on January 13, 2015 by atcDave

There’s a persistent myth about Italy not fielding any effective aircraft in World War II. But that really isn’t true on any level.

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After the jump, a quick look at a very capable torpedo bomber that sank many British warships during the war.

Continue reading →

Posted in Bomber - Naval, Italy | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Panzer V Panther Ausf G

Posted on January 11, 2015 by atcDave

Arguably the best Armored Fighting Vehicle of World War II, the Panther was a response to effective Soviet armor and would prove a serious challenge for any opponent.

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After the jump, a German medium tank. Continue reading →

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Grumman F3F-1

Posted on January 7, 2015 by atcDave

As World War II started in Europe, the United States Navy had not yet started to seriously modernize.

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After the jump, a look at a last generation bi-plane. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Gloster Meteor Mk I

Posted on January 4, 2015 by atcDave

The Germans weren’t the only ones exploring new jet technology during World War II.  Great Britain was also striving to put a turbo-jet aircraft in to service.

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After the jump, a look at another jet that saw combat, yet is far less well known than a certain German type. Continue reading →

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

Fiesler Fi-103 (V1)

Posted on December 31, 2014 by atcDave

One of Germany’s famous terror weapons, the V1 was the first cruise missile employed en masse.

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

Posted in Germany, Miscellaneous | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Polikarpov I-16 Type 10

Posted on December 28, 2014 by atcDave

Japan and China went to war in 1937.  Sometimes known as the Second Sino-Japanese War, this blurred into War War II in 1939, and even more so in 1941.  It didn’t end until the atomic bombing of 1945.

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After the jump, a look at a Chinese fighter from 1939. Continue reading →

Posted in China, Fighter, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

What’s in a Name – Germany

Posted on December 23, 2014 by atcDave

The German Luftwaffe’s aircraft designation system was one of the simplist employed during the war years

After the jump, what will surely be my shortest article yet in this series! Continue reading →

Posted in Dave's Essays, Germany | Tagged | 3 Comments