The Douglas SBD Dauntless was the US Navy’s main carrier-borne scout plane and dive–bomber, and was a good match in combat against the faster, but lightly armored Japanese fighters. Able to carry a substantial bomb load, the Dauntless proved to be very effective in sinking Japanese ships, and it earned glory during the famous Battle…
The Hawker Hurricane Mk.I was a British single–seat fighter aircraft. Developed during the 1930s, it was designed and built by Hawker Aircraft Ltd for the RAF. The Hurricane became renowned during the Battle of Britain, and together with the Supermarine Spitfire had a major role in the campaign. The Hurricane was the real “hero” of…
The Junkers Ju.87 B–2, best known as “Stuka,” was a single engine German dive bomber, easily recognizable by its inverted gull wings and fixed undercarriage. The Stuka’s design included several innovative features, including automatic pull–up dive brakes and a famous siren, the Jericho–Trompete, which would unleash a morale crushing whine when diving. The Stuka was…
he Messerschmitt Bf. 109 E–3 was one of the most famous airplanes in service with the Luftwaffe, and used primarily as a fighter and high altitude interceptor. It was one of the first truly modern fighters, featuring an all–metal fuselage construction, closed canopy, retractable landing gear, and a liquid–cooled, inverted aero engine. The Bf. 109,…
he Messerschmitt Bf.109 was one of the first truly modern fighters of WW2. Originally conceived as an interceptor, the Bf.109 fulfilled multiple roles, as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, ground–attack aircraft, and reconnaissance aircraft. The final production version of the Bf.109 was the K series, or “Kurfürst.” Externally similar to the G series, it had a large…
The Messerschmitt Bf.109 was one of the first truly modern fighters of WW2. Originally conceived as an interceptor, the Bf.109 fulfilled multiple roles, as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, ground–attack aircraft, and reconnaissance aircraft. The final production version of the Bf.109 was the K series, or “Kurfürst.” Externally similar to the G series, it had a large…
The Messerschmitt Bf.109 was one of the first truly modern fighters of WW2. Originally conceived as an interceptor, the Bf.109 fulfilled multiple roles, as bomber escort, fighter-bomber, ground–attack aircraft, and reconnaissance aircraft. The final production version of the Bf.109 was the K series, or “Kurfürst.” Externally similar to the G series, it had a large…
The Republic P–47 was by far the largest and heaviest single engine fighter built in the entire World War Two. Nicknamed “the Unbreakable” and “the Jug,” it was a rugged and dependable airplane, capable of flying its pilot back from combat even when full of holes from enemy fire. Heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine…
The Republic P–47 was by far the largest and heaviest single engine fighter built in the entire World War Two. Nicknamed “the Unbreakable” and “the Jug,” it was a rugged and dependable airplane, capable of flying its pilot back from combat even when full of holes from enemy fire. Heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine…
The Republic P–47 was by far the largest and heaviest single engine fighter built in the entire World War Two. Nicknamed “the Unbreakable” and “the Jug,” it was a rugged and dependable airplane, capable of flying its pilot back from combat even when full of holes from enemy fire. Heavily armed with eight .50-caliber machine…
The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.I was a British single–seat fighter aircraft, serving in the RAF during the early years of World War II. Armed with four .303 Browning machine guns on each wing, and powered by a Rolls–Royce engine, the first Spitfire Mk.Is took service in 1938. Beginning with its first victory — against a German…
The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei, nicknamed “Judy” by the Allies, was a capable dive bomber serving the Imperial Japanese Navy. Inspired to the German He.118, the D4Y design was lighter, stronger, more advanced in its structure and aerodynamics, and this airplane was used in all of the most famous battles of the Pacific. The D4Y was…
The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei, nicknamed “Judy” by the Allies, was a capable dive bomber serving the Imperial Japanese Navy. Inspired to the German He.118, the D4Y design was lighter, stronger, more advanced in its structure and aerodynamics, and this airplane was used in all of the most famous battles of the Pacific. The D4Y was…
The Yokosuka D4Y Suisei, nicknamed “Judy” by the Allies, was a capable dive bomber serving the Imperial Japanese Navy. Inspired to the German He.118, the D4Y design was lighter, stronger, more advanced in its structure and aerodynamics, and this airplane was used in all of the most famous battles of the Pacific. The D4Y was…