Carrier Air Group 83 (CVG-83) was assigned to the USS Essex in early 1945 and was composed of several squadrons: VF-83 (F6F-5, F6F-5N, F6F-5P), VBF-83 (F4U-1D, FG-1D), VB-83 (SB2C-4E) and VT-83 (TBM-3E). The Air Group saw action in the Pacific theatre from 10 March to 15 September 1945, participating in raids on Kyushu, supporting the…Continue reading Corsairs of VBF-83
Known as the “Blayd Zero”, this A6M2 Model 21 was built by the Blayd Corporation in the 1990s by reproducing original A6M parts purchased by Robert Diemert. The aircraft also used some original Zero parts in the landing gear, thereby earning it the status of restored rather than a replica or restoration. This of course…Continue reading The “Blayd” Zero
These profiles are part of a set created for the book Squadrons ! No.31: The Supermarine Spitfire Mk V – The New Zealanders by Phil H. Listemann.
After watching some Imperial War Museum footage showing the Free French pilots of No 340 Squadron, I noticed a mistake in one of my earlier profiles, and decided to correct it. This is the original profile, depicting Spitfire Mk Vb BM324, which was flown by Wg Cdr Bernard Dupérier at the time of Operation Rutter…Continue reading Spitfire stripes – a few words on Operation Rutter and the Dieppe landings
For over a decade, I’ve had the pleasure of working with Dimitris Vassilopoulos of Greeks in Foreign Cockpits, a Greek “amateur” historian whose research into the lives and careers of Greek airmen, and airmen of Greek origins, in foreign air arms has yielded more than professional results. Dimitris has been able to uncover stories, photos…Continue reading “Hell’s Belle” – and a new partnership
Seventy-five years ago to this day, on 4 July 1944, Lt William Crawford Moseley was reported missing in action over the Bonin Islands.
I’m currently working on a new template: the Grumman F6F Hellcat, one of the greatest fighters of World War II. The first profiles will be of the F6F-3 and the F6F-3P variants, followed by the F6F-5.
A T-6 Texan with teeth ! During the Korean War, the North American T-6 was adapted for use as a Forward Air Controller (FAC), with better communications equipment and smoke rockets that could be used as markers for strike aircraft. This LT-6G (serial number 49-3544) served with the 6148th Tactical Control Squadron of the 6147th…Continue reading Korean Mosquito
These profiles were made for Phil Listemann’s book Squadrons ! No. 30 – The Supermarine Spitfire Mk V – The Belgian & Dutch Squadrons, for which ten Spitfire Mk V profiles were commissioned. This was an opportunity to work on some interesting and unusual markings for RAF Spitfires. Although RAF policy was generally against any…Continue reading Belgian & Dutch Spitfire Mk Vs of the Royal Air Force
I’ve finally finished the template for the Stinson L-5 Sentinel, nearly 10 days later than I’d hoped. I’m rather happy with the result and will be making the first profile tomorrow. Click on the watermarked image below to view the template in high resolution. This is a bit less than half-size as the original is…Continue reading L-5 Sentinel – finally finished !