North American SNJ-4 Texan

Posted on January 27, 2015 by atcDave

One of the best known and prolific military trainers in history is the North American Texan.

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After the jump, a brief look at a US Navy version. Continue reading →

Posted in Trainer, USA | Tagged , , | 6 Comments

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