1. DZ712 was a NF Mk II aircraft. Flown by Wg Cdr Ivins and W/O Daly of No 151 Squadron, it was lost with its crew on May 17, 1943 in Brittany. 2. Mosquito FB.VI of No 418 (RCAF) “City of Edmonton” Squadron, flown by W/C Russell Bannock, a Canadian ace with 11 aerial victories…Continue reading de Havilland Mosquito
“Enola Gay” was the aircraft used to drop the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. It was a B-29-45-MO, modified as “Silverplate” aircraft and belonged to the 393rd Bombardment Squadron, 509th Composite Group. It was flown by Col. Paul Tibbets.
The P-40 was an evolution of Curtiss’ P-36 Hawk. Despite its limited performance, it was used throughout the war, on all fronts. 1. The P-40 became the USAAC’s standard fighter shortly before the war. This early P-40 belonged to the 55th Pursuit Squadron of the 20th Pursuit Group, based at Hamilton Field. Note the long…Continue reading Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
One of the greatest classic fighters, and probably the most elegant war machine ever designed. Unfortunately, side views only partially show its superb lines. I started with the Mk V version, and also the Mk I/II. I will be also be doing the Mk V (Trop) and later the Mk IX. More to come later!…Continue reading Supermarine Spitfire
1. The P-51D template. Freshly out of the factory… 2. This P-51C is owned by the Commemorative Air Force. It is used by the Red Tail Project to tell the story of the Tuskegee airmen. Please visit their website for more information. 3. AG636 was a Mustang Mk I that served with No 2 Squadron…Continue reading North American P-51 Mustang
The Ar 234 Blitz was the world’s first operational jet bomber. Despite being used in limited numbers, it proved to be a successful design, being the only attack/bombing/reconnaissance type capable of surviving in the midst of Allied air superiority in 1944-45. 1. Ar 234 S10 (Wk. Nr. 140110) used by Erprobungskommando 234 at Rechlin-Lärz…Continue reading Arado Ar 234 “Blitz”
The P-47 was (and still is) the largest single-engine piston-engine fighter ever produced. Although it was ill-suited to engage nimble fighters in aerial combat, its firepower and ruggedness made it perfect for ground attack. The P-47 and its British counterpart, the Hawker Typhoon, made close air support possible. 1. Colonel Hubert “Hub” Zemke’s P-47C-5-RE, named…Continue reading Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
“Lady Lil” was a B-25J-22 flown by Lt Albert Beiga of the 498th BS, 345th BG.
1. B-25B 40-2242 and its crew belonged to the 95th Bomb Squadron of the 17th Bomb Group. Its crew was composed of pilot Capt. Edward J. York, copilot Lt. Robert G. Emmens, navigator Lt. Nolan A. Herndon, bombardier SSgt. Theodore H. Laban and engineer/gunner Sgt. David W. Pohl. The aircraft, the eighth to take off…Continue reading The North American B-25 Mitchell of the Doolittle raid (April 18, 1942)
1. Fiat CR.42 of 162a Squadriglia, 161° Gruppo of the Italian Regia Aeronautica, wearing the standard paint scheme. The squadron’s moto is “Beware, I shall claw you!” in venitian (Varda, che te sbrego). This aircraft is preserved in the Vigna di Valle aviation museum. 2. A CR.42 of the 363a Squadriglia, 150° Gruppo, 53° Stormo,…Continue reading Fiat CR.42 Falco