Tag Archives: World War II

Petlyakov Pe-2

We’ve already talked about how the great bulk of Soviet air power was destroyed in vast quantities at the start of the War in the East. But of course there’s far more to the story than that. Let’s take a … Continue reading

Posted in Bomber - Tactical, Soviet Union | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

Republic’s big fighter is best known for its epic battles over Germany, and later for its role as a close support heavy weight. Yet it also played a role in the Pacific War. Let’s take a look.

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

Beechcraft YC-43 Staggerwing

In 1932 Beechcraft introduced a new high performance, luxury executive aircraft. The Model 17 Staggerwing quickly became a pilot favorite. It was fast, powerful and modern. As War clouds gathered the type was pressed into military service from Spain to … Continue reading

Posted in Liason, prototype, USA | Tagged , , | 17 Comments

Kawasaki Ki-100

This late War Japanese Army fighter was almost certainly the most important Japanese aircraft to never get an Allied code name. Let’s take a look at a seriously good airplane that seems to have escaped the notice of Allied intelligence.

Posted in Fighter, Japan | Tagged , , | 22 Comments

Messerschmitt Bf 108B-1 Taifun

Every nation had light civil aircraft that were used for light duty currier and transport work. Let’s look at one in the bloodline of a famous warrior.

Posted in Germany, Liason | Tagged , , | 9 Comments

Douglass C-47 Skytrain

Perhaps the most important type that didn’t carry guns or bombs. Let’s take a look at a truly key aircraft.

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

Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat

Joe Foss The Guadalcanal Campaign was the first extended campaign of the Pacific War that clearly ended in an Allied victory. It also saw dozens of aces made, let’s take a look at one of the most notable.

Posted in Fighter, USA | Tagged , , | 13 Comments

Elco 80′ Patrol Torpedo Boat

An important weapon that is the very definition of a low value asset, the PT boat manages to be one of the better known weapons of the Second World War. Let’s take a look at, what will probably be, the … Continue reading

Posted in Miscellaneous, USA | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Focke-Wulf Fw 190F-8

One of the more important German types in service to the last day of the War. Let’s take a look at a close support version of the famous fighter.

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

Scale Matters, Part III

Big and Small Let’s call this, a grown man playing with his toys on a Saturday afternoon.

Posted in Dave's Essays | Tagged , | 19 Comments