1. On 18 September 1950, a North Korean Yak-9P made an emergency landing at Kimpo AB and was captured by US Marines. The aircraft was sent to Wright-Patterson AFB and tested. The evaluation report stated the aircraft was extremely capable but crude by Western standards. 2. This Yak-9P is preserved in the Warsaw Aviation Museum.…Continue reading Yakovlev Yak-9
The Corsair was the US Navy’s best performer in WW2 but was a difficult aircraft to fly. In comparison the Hellcat was safer, cheaper and easier to build, at the expense of slightly inferior performance. Aces like Gregory Boyington ensured the “bent-wing bird’s” fame rapidly, and the aircraft remained in service with various airforces long…Continue reading Vought F4U Corsair
Hawk 75A-2, GC I/4, 2e escadrille, n°99 (X898), flown by Sergeant Georges Lemare, June 1940. Flying a Hawk 75, Lemare shot a Do 17 near Calais on 13 January 1940, a Ju 88 off the coast of Zeebruge on 20 May 1940 and later a British Swordfish off the coast of Dakar on 24 September.…Continue reading Curtiss Hawk of sergent Georges Lemare, GC I/4
11. Hawk 75A-7 of the NEIAF based at Andir AB, Java in 1940. 12. Hawk 75A-7 of the 1st patrol of 1. VI.G.IV flown by Sgt van Breen at Madioen, October 1941. 13. P-36A of the 79th Pursuit Squadron, 20th Pursuit Group, in 1940. 14. P-36C of the 27th Pursuit Squadron, 1st Pursuit Group, during…Continue reading Curtiss P-36 Hawk (2)
The Curtiss P-36 Hawk was a rather successful aircraft for its time but was on the verge of obsolescence when World War II began. It was widely exported, including to France where it proved inferior to its opponent, the Messerschmitt Bf 109, in most respects except for maneuverability. It was also extensively used by Finland…Continue reading Curtiss P-36 Hawk
NB: The profiles depicted on this page are early, lesser-quality profiles. Please visit this page to view more recent and better Dewoitine D.520 profiles. The Dewoitine D.520 was called “the French Spitfire” and was the most advanced fighter in service in the Armée de l’Air at the time of the German invasion. It proved to…Continue reading Dewoitine D.520
1. Yak-3 flown by Roger Sauvage, a French pilot flying with the Free French Normandie Niemen group on the Russian front. Sauvage was credited with 16 victories. Stalin himself decided that the French volunteers were to be keep their aircraft after their return to France, and the Yak-3 entered service in France for a short…Continue reading Yakovlev Yak-3
The Hawker Tempest was one of the fastest fighters of World War II. One of the most famous Tempest pilots was Pierre Clostermann, who scored a total of 33 victories. Tempests were used after the war by Great-Britain, Irak and India but were rapidly replaced by jets. I improved all of my Tempest drawings in…Continue reading Hawker Tempest
11. FM-2 of VC-12 based on USS Core, 1945. The Dark Gull Grey over White was the typical paint scheme for all escort Wildcats in the Atlantic. 12. A Martlet Mk II of 881 squadron, HMS Illustrious. 13. Martlet Mk II AM978 of 888 Sqdn, HMS Formidable, Madagascar, May 1942. This aircraft participated in the…Continue reading More Grumman F4F Wildcats
The Wildcat was the US Navy’s primary fighter at the beginning of World War II. Although it was outmaneuvered by its principal opponent, the Japanese A6M Zero, but could take far more damage and was a sturdy aircraft. Tactical improvements such as the famous Thach Weave levelled the field somewhat and allowed the Wildcat to…Continue reading Grumman F4F Wildcat