The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was a German liaison aircraft which is probably more known for its laid-back reputation as a STOL performer than for the daring rescue of the Italian Dictator from a snowy mountain peak. The Storch was equipped with a 237-hp engine that produced a maximum speed of 93 miles per hour – specifications […] More
The Supermarine Spitfire’s rough path to perfection In the documentary Battle of Britain: Pilot’s Stories, David Denchfield of the Royal Air Force 610 Squadron was asked about the legendary British aircraft Spitfire. With every bit of nostalgia, he replied: “I took off, and it was bloody marvelous, you thought you’ve been flying it all your […] More
The North American B-25 Mitchell is an American twin-engine, medium bomber designed and produced by the North American Aviation (NAA). The aircraft is named in honor of Major General William “Billy” Mitchell, making the B-25 the only US military aircraft named after a specific person. Although used in all theaters of the war, the B-25 […] More
B-24 Weaknesses The Consolidated B-24 Liberator is one of the most famous heavy bombers of World War II. Alongside the B-29 Superfortress and the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Liberator gained a distinguished war record during its service in the European, Pacific, African, and Middle Eastern theaters. The B-24’s longer range and higher bomb load capacity […] More
There’s no argument that the Supermarine Spitfire is one, if not the most iconic plane of World War II. It is loved both by veterans and enthusiasts alike. But how much do you know about this legendary fighter? Here are fascinating facts about the iconic plane that saved the Allies during the Battle of Britain. […] More
If you love watching movies depicting the tragic events of World War II, then you might have already seen Dunkirk. Directed by the renowned Christopher Nolan, the movie Dunkirk was praised and received well by critics and viewers alike. Based on the true story of Operation Dynamo, Nolan portrays the horrific events of the Dunkirk […] More
5. The Project Was Incredibly Secretive Of the 130 people working on Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, only 5 knew the details. It was so secret that the British engineer who brought the Goblin engine that was meant to power the P-80 was detained by police because Lockheed officials could not vouch for him. 4. The […] More
With the rise of aviation technology, World War II saw some of the best fighter aces and the most intense aerial combats in history. The British’s best fighter ace claimed 38 aerial victories; the US has 40, while the Soviet Union has 62. Amazing as these numbers would seem, none could compare to Germany’s most […] More
Even though considered to be aesthetically ugly compared to its sleek contemporaries, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is still a remarkable aircraft. It served on all theatres of the war and was the preferred aircraft of many flying aces. But what is so special about this plane and how did it help the Allies win the […] More
During World War II, the United States of America produced only three types of four-engined long-range bombers in any numbers. These were the B-29 Super Fortress, the B-17 Flying Fortress, and the B-24 Liberator. Although being the most produced bomber, the B-24 Liberator was somewhat unpopular compared to its contemporaries. However, this does not invalidate […] More
Ilmari Juutulainen may not be the highest scoring ace of WWII, but he might just be the most successful WWII pilot when you consider these 3 things: 3. He Was The Highest Scoring Non-German WWII Ace If you look at a list of WWII aces, you’ll notice that the Germans, trailing behind top ace […] More
It seems like the Skyraider could do just about anything. With a remarkably long and successful career, here are 5 facts about the celebrated plane: 5. It Was Designed In A Day When an artist is hit with inspiration, let him do his thing. Ed Heinemann, the designer of the Douglas A-1 Skyraider, pulled a […] More
