Thunder Over Michigan

Posted on August 4, 2014 by atcDave

Just a quick heads up for all aviation nerds in southeast Michigan, don’t forget the big air show this weekend!  Thunder Over Michigan will feature the Thunderbirds, a very rare P-63 Kingcobra, and a large gathering of Texans.  It will be this Saturday and Sunday (8/9 & 8/10) at Willow Run Airport. For more information, and a complete schedule visit the Yankee Air Museum website.

And if you happen to see a chubby, bearded air traffic controller in an orange Chicago Bears t-shirt on Saturday, you’ve met me!

Posted in Air Show | Tagged | 2 Comments

Grumman (General Motors) TBM-1c Avenger

Posted on August 3, 2014 by atcDave

From late 1942 to the end of the War, Grumman’s Avenger was the main strike aircraft used by US aircraft carriers.

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

Posted in Bomber - Naval, USA | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

P.Z.L. P.11c

Posted on July 31, 2014 by atcDave

Everyone knows the famous warbirds flown by the major combatants during the war years.  But many of the smaller countries fought too.  The Second World War is commonly considered to have started on September 1, 1939; when Germany attacked Poland.

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So let’s take a brief look at an important piece of Polish hardware from that time. Continue reading →

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

Panzer IV

Posted on July 29, 2014 by atcDave

The second of Germany’s main tanks at the start of World War II was the Panzer IV.  At least, that was the plan.

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A brief look at this important type after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

North American P-51D Mustang

Posted on July 27, 2014 by atcDave

Easily the best known American fighter of the War, the Mustang was a capable, long-range escort fighter.  And the “D” model is the best known variant of this well known aircraft.

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Let’s look at a colorful example from the 8th Air Force. Continue reading →

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

Curtiss P-40N Warhawk

Posted on July 24, 2014 by atcDave

The Warhawk was the best American fighter at the start of World War II.  It was generally inferior to the best fighters of other nations, yet it served its users well and maintained a positive kill ratio until it was replaced by better types in later years.

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Let’s look at this allied work horse. Continue reading →

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

Panzer III

Posted on July 22, 2014 by atcDave

The Panzer III was considered Germany’s best tank, or at least its main weapon for armored warfare at the start of World War II.

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After the jump I’ll look at an early war tank. Continue reading →

Posted in Armor, Germany | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Mitsubishi Ki-46 – III “Dinah”

Posted on July 20, 2014 by atcDave

Although every country had aircraft wholly dedicated to photographic reconnaissance*, Japan was the only major combatant to have designs intended for that purpose from the very start.

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This post we’ll take a brief look the “Dinah”. Continue reading →

Posted in Japan, Reconnaissance | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Address Update

Posted on July 17, 2014 by atcDave

Just a quick note of little consequence.  For anyone who has favorited or been typing in this site address, I did register “planedave.net” today as this site’s new address.  So that will be the most efficient way to locate this site from here on out.  The old address (planedave.wordpress.com) should work indefinitely.

Posted in Administrative | Leave a comment

Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4

Posted on July 17, 2014 by atcDave

Franz von Werra

One major advantage the British had over the Germans in the Battle of Britain was that pilots who survived being shot down could be reclaimed by the British, but they were lost to the Germans.  With one notable exception.  Franz von Werra was shot down over England and returned to duty.

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His story after the jump. Continue reading →

Posted in Fighter, Germany | Tagged , , | 11 Comments