Soviet Union's T-43 medium tank updated

The Soviets worked on upgrading the armor on the T-34/76 and came up with the T-43. It was produced in small numbers as the T-34/85 was to replace the T-34/76 series.
Unfortunately I don't have any photos, so if anyone has some they can send me. . .

Soviet Union's T-34/76 medium tank updated

The Soviets were able to produce an incredible amount of tanks before and during World War II, far out producing the Germans. The T-34/76 had over 35,000 produced which was far more than any model of German tanks produced.

Soviet Union's T-28 medium tank updated

The Soviets also produced some very large tanks, the T-28 was one of them. It was much too big and slow for the fast paced war fought against the Germans.

Soviet Union's BT-7 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) updated

If the Soviet military hadn't been decimated by Stalin's purges, and given enough training in better tactics, the Soviets, using such tanks as the BT-7 might have made a better showing against the invading Germans. They might have not stopped them, but maybe slowed them down more? Of course one will never know.

Soviet Union's BT-5 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) updated

Another in the line of the BT series was the BT-5 which had around 5,000 produced.

Soviet Union's BT-3 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) updated

The BT-3 was the next in the series of Fast Tanks developed by the Soviets in World War II.

Soviet Union's BT-2 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) updated

The Soviet Union was very progressive in its tank development between the World Wars. One class of tanks that they produced a great many of was the BT series. The first one to go into major production was the BT-2.

United States Production updated

Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto was right, the Japanese empire woke a sleeping giant when the Japanese attacked the United States in December 1941. The American, primarily locomotive and automobile, industry stepped up to the task and produced a phenomenal amount of weapons that supplied the Allied military fighting the Axis powers. Over 88,000 tanks alone were produced!
I've added a table that shows tank production by manufacturer.

United States' M18 Gun Motor Carriage, Hellcat updated

Can you imagine using this bad boy in your morning commute to work? It could get up to 55 MPH and if there was a traffic tie-up you'd just go cross country around it! Ok so I'm dreaming!
I've updated some of the specifications information on the M18 Hellcat page.

United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank updated

Tank doctrine of the United States in much of World War II was to have tank destroyers kill enemy tanks and heavy tanks weren't pushed to be developed or produced. Then the Battle of the Bulge changed all that and the M26 Pershing heavy tank was rushed into production. However, very few saw action in Europe and some saw action on Okinawa.

United States' T14 Heavy Tank updated

Another heavy tank design that only produced two prototypes was the T-14. Initially the British showed interest in it but by the time the prototypes were completed the Churchill was already being used.
If anyone has photos, send'em my way!

United States' M6 heavy tank updated

The United States did develop the M6 heavy tank that might have done well against the German Panthers and Tigers, but it was never put into full production because the medium tanks were given priority.

Back

Have now returned from a week camping. The sunshine, the good food, and the ability to do as little as possible was fabulous!

United States' North American P-51 Mustang fighter photos added

The North American P-51 Mustang was a marriage between a British engine and an American airframe that produced the top fighter of World War II.

United States' Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress photos added

Probably the most well known of the allied bombers, the B-17 Flying Fortress, was there from the attack on Pearl Harbor to the end in Europe and Japan.

United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter photos added

Still my favorite all-time fighter of World War II is the P-38 Lightning. I've added some additional photos:

United States' Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer maritime patrol bomber photos added

Consolidated also produced the PB4Y-2 Privateer maritime patrol bomber.
I've added some photos for it too.

United States' Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber photos added

I've often wondered what went through the minds of the men who were part of the crews on the big bombers? The initial boredom of the flight, alone with your thoughts, preparing your weapons, watching your squadron mates airplanes around you, probably wondering which of them won't return. The the adrenaline rush when enemy fighters are seen. Then the total helplessness one must have felt when the flak started as there was nothing you could do to the flak, after all you couldn't shoot at it if you were the crewman who manned defensive weapons. The feelings of relief when you were back at your home field. Then the waiting to see who didn't make it back.

My father, who was a Marine, has always said he respected the pilots of the planes that protected the skies above him when he was fighting in the Pacific. He knew that they'd fly their missions, and go back to a "comfortable" base where they could eat and sleep, while he remained in the front line. He knew they had a very difficult job.

I've added a bunch of photos for one of the United States' main bombers, the B-24 Liberator.

Plus a bunch more . . .

United States' Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter photos added

The main American fighter that held the lines during the first year of World War II was the P-40. It wasn't the best fighter being used, but it was very capable in the hands of a good pilot.

Plus many more photos . . .

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter, Zerstörer (destroyer) photos added

I've added some photos that are from the Bundesarchiv that were posted on Usenet of the Messerschmitt Bf 110.

Germany's Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf E, SdKfz 181, Tiger PzKpfw VI Ausf E, SdKfz 181 photo added

The most well known tank of World War II, and the one that the mere mentioning it's name would cause fear, was the Tiger. The Russians first encountered, and captured one outside of Leningrad when Hitler prematurely had them sent to the front. The British and Americans encountered them in Tunisia with the British capturing one.
Here's a picture of one with the Gross Deutschland Division.

Soviet Union's BT-7 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) photos added

The last in the Soviet Union's Fast Tank models was the BT-7. Over 2,000 were produced during World War II.

Soviet Union's OT-130 flame thrower photos added

Despite some impressions given, the Soviet Union did develop specialized armored vehicles during World War II. One of these was the modification of the T-26, the OT-130 flame thrower. It was in the border wars with the Japanese and in the invasion of Finland.

Soviet Union's T-70 light tank photo added

The Soviet Union was able to out produce the Germans in light tanks during World War II. The T-70s had over 8,200 produced, numbers that the Germans could only dream of.
I've now added another picture.

Soviet Union's T-60 light tank improved photo added

Another light tank the Soviets used in World War II was the T-60. Though not a new photo, it's a better one than the one I had previously.

Soviet Union's T-40 light tank photo added

The Soviets had several amphibious light tank designs that were used during World War II. One of these was the T-40.

Soviet Union's BT-5 Bystrochodnij Tankov (Fast Tank) photo added

The Soviet Union seemed to have realized the potential for armored tanks much earlier than many of the countries of the world in the early 20th century. They were quite advanced on their designs and just sheer numbers of tanks produced. One of those early designs was the BT-5 Fast Tank which was produced in large numbers. Despite the vast quantities of tanks that the Soviets had, numbers didn't make up for training.

Soviet Union's T-35 heavy tank photo added

The Soviets did produce some very large tanks before and during World War II. One such heavy tank is the T-35 Heavy Tank. It's multi-turreted design was the way some tank designs were headed during the 30s, but the T-35 took it to a new level. Less than 100 were produced (probably likely around 60).

United States' B-29 Superfortress photos added

Possibly the most expensive weapon system developed during World War II was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress. At $3 billion (1940s price), it may have surpassed the development of the atomic bomb (seems like I remember a figure of $1 billion for it).

United States' M6 heavy tank photos added

The M6 Heavy Tank was an early attempt by the United States to develop a heavy tank that would be the M3 Medium Tank's counterpoint. It however never saw combat was produced in very small numbers.

United States' Douglas TBD Devastator photo added

The TBD Devastator a design that was used past it's prime. But with nothing else available the fliers still flew them to battle the enemy.
I've added an additional photo for it.

Germany's Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka", Stürzkampfflugzeug, dive bomber photos added

The Germans, quite successfully, used dive bombers for close support of the Wehrmacht in World War II. One of the most widely known is the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.
I've added some additional photos.

Germany's Heinkel He 111 bomber, Spaten (Spade) photo added

The Germans fielded some very excellent aircraft at the beginning of the war, but couldn't keep up with the newer bomber designs that the Allies fielded. The Germans relied, primarily, on the Heinkel He 111 bomber throughout the war. The German military's mindset was aircraft that would support the army, not take large loads of bombs against the factories of the enemy.

Poland's TK, TKS, and TKW Tankettes, photo added

The Polish also fielded rather antiquated tanks against the Germans. One of these was the TKS Tankette for which I've added a photo.

Poland's PZL P.11, fighter photo added

With enemies all around, Poland had to try to and field a well armed military. Unfortunately the Poles just didn't have the capacity to fully modernize its military in time for World War II. Though the fighter planes it used were outdated compared to many of the German and some of the Russian planes, it still fielded some very capable aircraft. One of these was the PZL P.11.

I've added a new photo of it.

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf. 109 Fighter photos added

And to not leave prop planes out, I've added several photos of the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 262 Fighter "Schwalbe" (Swallow) photos added

I've added a couple of photos of the amazing Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter.

United States' Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter photo added

I've added a new photo for the P-47 Thunderbolt fighter. The P-47 was a powerful plane that initially escorted bombers, but eventually found it's calling as a ground attack plane. It could carry a large load and survive lots of damage from ground fire.