Flying Boats
Dornier D24att
Grumman Goose
PBY5 Catalina
Martin Mars
Canadair CL2
Berlev BE200
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
Tuesday, September 3, 2019
Monday, September 2, 2019
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Sunday, August 18, 2019
Monday, July 29, 2019
Vietnam War Warbirds
Vietnam War Warbirds
F-105 Thunderchief
F-100 Super Sabre
Mig-21 Fishbed
Mig-15 Fagot
F-4 Phantom
Huey Cobra
Wednesday, July 24, 2019
Japanese World War 2 Aircraft
Japanese World War 2 Aircraft
A case of 'too little, too late'.
Kugisho MXY7 Ohka (Cherry Blossom) 22
Cockpit of the Ohka 22
While several rocket-powered Ohka 11s still exist, this Ohka 22 is the only surviving version powered by a motor-jet, which consisted of a reciprocating engine that pressurized a combustion chamber into which fuel was injected and ignited. Allied forces recovered the Ohka 22 in Japan in 1945. Unlike the Ohka 11, the Ohka 22 never became operational.
Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm)
Aichi chief engineer, Toshio Ozaki, designed the M6A1 Seiran to fulfill the requirement for a bomber that could operate exclusively from a submarine. Japanese war planners devised the idea as a means for striking directly at the United States mainland and other important strategic targets, like the Panama Canal, that lay thousands of kilometers from Japan. To support Seiran operations, the Japanese developed a fleet of submarine aircraft carriers to bring the aircraft within striking distance. No Seiran ever saw combat, but the Seiran/submarine weapons system represents an ingenious blend of aviation and marine technology.
This M6A1 was the last airframe built (serial number 28) and the only surviving example of the Seiran in the world. Imperial Japanese Navy Lt. Kazuo Akatsuka ferried this Seiran from Fukuyama to Yokosuka where he surrendered it to an American occupation contingent.
Kawanishi N1K2-Ja Shiden (Violet Lightning) Kai (Modified) GEORGE
Shiden Cockpit
GEORGE is the unlikely Allied nickname for the best Japanese naval fighter produced in quantity during World War II. The official Japanese name and designation was Kawanishi N1K2 Shiden (Violet Lightning). This outstanding land-based fighter sprang directly from a floatplane fighter design, the N1K1 REX (see NASM collection).
Many countries used floatplanes for scouting and reconnaissance duties, and to hunt submarines and surface ships, but only Japan built and fielded fighters on floats. The Japanese Imperial Navy intended to use these specialized aircraft to gain air superiority above a beachhead to support amphibious landing operations where carrier or land-based fighters were unavailable. The Kawanishi N1K1 (Allied codename REX) was the only airplane designed specifically for this purpose to fly during World War II.
The cockpit photos are from the Natl Air and Space museum web page. All others are mine.
Sunday, July 21, 2019
F4U Corsair
F4U Corsair
I had a great uncle who flew F6f Hellcats in World War 2. He had some time in Corsairs, said they called them the Hose Nose. Said that the carrier landings were a kiss of death for our Navy pilots. This was before the Brits showed us how to land properly and to great success.
What was their technique? They didn't come straight in, but rather a large sweeping descending turn to final approach.
I had another great uncle who was a Marine aircraft mechanic in the South Pacific theatre. He loved working on Corsairs.
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Thursday, July 18, 2019
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Tuesday, July 16, 2019
Monday, July 1, 2019
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