Friday, October 16, 2009

United States' Vought F4U Corsair fighter photo added

Initially the Vought F4U Corsair was considered too dangerous for carrier operations and was relegated to land based Marine Corps units. Later it was shown to be quite safe the United States Navy started to use it in carrier operations.

I've added a photo of a F4U firing it's rockets at Japanese positions.


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Saturday, October 10, 2009

Japan's Kawanishi Interceptor Shiden (Lightning Flash) updated

The N1K Shiden may have been the best Japanese fighter produced in large numbers during World War II.


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Japan's Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) fighter updated

The J2M Raiden was probably the best of the land based fighter planes used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II. It could climb better and was more maneuverable than any other. It also had a deadly punch with four 20 mm cannons. One of its primary tasks was to intercept B-29 bombers attacking the Japanese home islands.


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Japan's Mitsubishi Type 96 Carrier Fighter updated

The new source I was taking the information from only called what I've known as the A5M, the Type 96 so I'm not sure if a Type 96 Model 1 corresponds with the A5M1 or not. So for now until I learn otherwise I'll list them separately.


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Japan's Nakajima Type 95 Carrier Fighter added

The Nakajima Type 95 was to be the last of the Imperial Japanese Navy's biplane fighters.



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Japan's Nakajima Type 90 Carrier Fighter added

The Nakajima Type 90 Carrier Fighter was also an early biplane used by the Imperial Japanese Navy.


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Japan's Nakajima Type 3 Carrier Fighter added

The Nakajima Type 3 Carrier Fighter was a biplane fighter designed for carrier operations. Unfortunately I don't have much information or any pictures.


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Saturday, September 12, 2009

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M and A5M updated

From a new source I've added a ton of new information on the A6M Zeke and some minor additions for the A5M Claude.


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Friday, September 11, 2009

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen fighter updated

Like the Tiger tank in Europe, the Zeke or Zero was the boogie man of the Pacific. The Zeke did dominate in the first 6 months or so of the Pacific War, but after that newer and better American fighters appeared on the scene. I've added some additional specification information.


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Britain's Supermarine Seafire naval fighter bomber updated and photos added

Several countries, including the British, had a doctrine that aircraft would slow down an enemy's vessels, and the battleships would move in to finish them off. Eventually it was decided that the Royal Navy needed a fighter that was on par with the enemy and the Spitfire was a logical choice. After modifications the Seafire was born.



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Monday, September 7, 2009

Soviet Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter updated

The Yak-9 saw service starting with the Battle of Stalingrad in late 1942 and into the Korean War in 1950.
I've updated it's specs and history too.


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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-7 fighter updated

The next in the Yakovlev line was the Yak-7. It started out to be a trainer but was developed into a very capable ground attack and low level fighter.
The specifications and historical information is now updated.


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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-3 fighter updated

Where I only had a photo before, there's now historical and specification information on one of the top Yakovlev fighters produced during World War II, the Yak-3.


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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-1 fighter updated

The Soviets started the was with an excellent fighter aircraft, the Yak-1 that paved the way for the most successful designs during World War II.
I've added additional historical and specification information.


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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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.



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Tuesday, August 18, 2009

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:


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Monday, August 17, 2009

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 . . .

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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.


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Sunday, August 2, 2009

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.


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Saturday, August 1, 2009

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.



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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.


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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.


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Sunday, May 31, 2009

United States' Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter updated and photo added

I've added a photo of the Curtiss P-40's cockpit and added some minor historical information.



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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Britain's De Havilland DH.98 Mosquito updated

I've added some additional information on the Mosquito (reconnaissance, fighter, fighter-bomber)and reorganized the information a little.


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Sunday, April 26, 2009

Britain's Westland Whirlwind fighter updated

The Westland Whirlwind's page is now updated with additional specifications and historical information.


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Saturday, April 25, 2009

United States' Vought F4U Corsair fighter updated

I've updated and separated out information on the Corsair plus added some photos.



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Friday, April 24, 2009

Finland's VL Myrsky fighter added

Another surprise to me was that Finland was able to design and produce an aircraft of their own during World War II, the VL Myrsky fighter. It wasn't a very safe aircraft due to design defects, but it was still used to a limited extent.



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Saturday, February 21, 2009

United Kingdom's Supermarine Spitfire fighter updated

I've added a ton of new specification, production, and historical information for many of the Supermarine Spitfire models. There are now individual pages for the main variants.

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Friday, February 20, 2009

United States' Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter updated

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was one of the top fighters and fighter bombers used by the United States in World War II. It started out being used on long range escort missions and eventually was used in the fighter bomber role.
I've added quite a bit of specification information and put the different models on their own pages.


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United States' Republic P-43 Lancer fighter added

The Republic P-43 wasn't a great fighter, but it did lead to the development of the exceptional P-47 Thunderbolt. After initial use as a fighter the P-43s were converted into photo reconnaissance aircraft.



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Monday, February 16, 2009

Italy's Reggiane Re. 2000, Re.2001, Re.2005 fighters updated

The Italians were also hamstrung by poor designs during World War II. The Reggiane Re.2000, Re.2001, and Re.2005 were designs, that did improve during the war, but they didn't improve as fast as their adversaries.
I've added some minor updates.


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Poland's PZL P.11, fighter updated

The Polish Air Force had some highly motivated fighter pilots but unfortunately for them they had outdated planes. The PZL P.11 was the main fighter they used to fight against the Germans. In the short time they fought in the air, they shot down 125 Luftwaffe planes for a loss of 114 of their own.
I've added additional specification and production information for the P.11.

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France's Potez 63 day and night figher updated

For the French it was a case of "a little to late" for many of their aircraft designs. If they hadn't waited to rearm until they were well behind the Germans they might have had some exceptional fighting aircraft. Unfortunately one of those subpar designs was the Potez 63 which sustained heavy losses when the Germans invaded in May 1940.


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Soviet Polikarpov I-16 fighter updated

One of the few monoplane aircraft that Nikolai Polikarpov designed the Polikarpov I-16 Rata did make up 2/3 of the Soviet fighter force when Germany invaded. Even with the success of the I-16, Polikarpov still designed biplane aircraft.

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Soviet Polikarpov I-153 fighter updated

Unfortunately for Nikolai Polikarpov he couldn't keep up with the modern ideas of the late 1930s and kept designing bi-planes (his design bureau was later purged). One of these was the Polikarpov I-153 fighter that was used in the early years of World War II. It suffered heavily during the German invasion.
I've added quite a bit of new information to my previously sparse information.

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

United States' North American P-51 Mustang fighter updated

I've added quite a bit of new specicifications and historical information for the North American P-51 Mustang which was the most famous fighter in World War II.


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Saturday, February 14, 2009

Japan's Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Gale) fighter updated

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate was probably the best fighter produced by Japan during World War II. Unfortunately it was plagued by poor workmanship and a finicky engine.


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Friday, February 13, 2009

Japan's Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki (devil queller) fighter added

The Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki was a very good fighter. Initially Japanese pilots did not like it as it wasn't as maneuverable as previous fighter designs but they soon began to like it more.



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Japan's Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (peregrine falcon) fighter updated

The Japanese Army didn't want to use the A6M Zeke, so the Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa was produced. It was successful in the early months of the was as its opponents typically used inferior planes. Even though they were outclassed they were the most produced fighter of the Japanese Army.


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Sunday, February 1, 2009

Japan's Nakajima Ki-27 fighter bomber added

The Nakajima Ki-27 was used successfully in the years before World War II in China and against Russia, but was quickly relegated to secondary roles after the first few months of the Japanese campaigns in the Pacific.



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France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter updated

I've added additional specification information for the Morane-Saulnier MS 406.


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Saturday, January 31, 2009

Japan's Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) fighter updated

The Mitsubishi J2M was primarily used in the defense of the Japanese home islands.
I've added some additional information on the different variants.


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Friday, January 30, 2009

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M2-N fighter floatplane added

The Mitsubishi A6M2-N was based on the Zero. It was intended to be used to provide air cover for amphibious assaults until a land based airstrip could be constructed.



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Sunday, January 25, 2009

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen (zero fighter) fighter updated

I've added tons of new specifications, production data, and historical information for the A6M series.


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Japan's Mitsubishi A5M fighter updated

I've added additional specs, production, and historical data for the pre-World War II Mitsubishi A5M fighter that was used against China with much success. It did see service in the early months of World War II in the Philippines, but were soon moved to secondary roles.


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Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighters updated

I've now updated my pages for the MiG-1 and MiG-3. The MiG-1 was a poor performer but the MiG-3 was much improved and turned out to be quite a good fighter against the Germans at high altitudes.
I still don't have any photos of the MiG-1, so if anyone has some, please send'em my way!


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Saturday, January 24, 2009

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse (Hornet) heavy fighter updated

The successor to the failed Me 210 was the Me 410. I've updated the specifications and historical information on my page.


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Germany's Messerschmitt Me 210 Zerstörer (destroyer) heavy fighter updated

I've added new specifications and production information for the Me 210. It was one of the bigger flops that made it to the Messerschmitt production lines.


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Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet) jet fighter updated

The Me 163 was one of the more radical of planes used during World War II. It could attain fast speeds due to its rocket engine, but could only stay in the air for about 8 minutes.
I've updated my page with additional specs and historical info.


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

Friday, January 23, 2009

Italy's Macchi C.205 Veltro "Greyhound" fighter updated

Probably Italy's best fighter to be produced during World War II, the Macchi C.205 Veltro was produced in small numbers.


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Italy's Macchi MC.202 Folgore "Thunderbolt" fighter updated

The Macchi MC.202 Folgore was the first of the truely modern looking Italian fighter used in World War II. It had good success against Hurricanes and P-40s.


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Italy's Macchi MC.200 Saetta "Lightning" fighter updated

I've added some additional specifications and historical information for the Italian Macchi MC.200 Saetta.


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Sunday, January 18, 2009

United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter updated

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Soviet Lavochkin La-5 and La-7 fighters updated

I've added quite a bit of new information for the La-5 and La-7.


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Soviet Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter updated

I've added some new information on the Lavochkin LaGG-3.


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Friday, January 16, 2009

Japan's Kawasaki Ki-102, "Randy" fighter added

I've now added a page for the Kawasaki Ki-102.



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Japan's Kawasaki Ki-100 fighter added

I've now added a page for what many consider one of Japan's best fighters of World War II, the Kawasaki Ki-100. It was a marriage of left over Ki-61 airframes and a high powered radial engine.



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Thursday, January 15, 2009

Japan's Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Swallow) fighter updated

I've updated the specifications, production data, and historical information on one the of the most un-Japanese like fighters in World War II, the Ki-61 Hien. It used a license built inline engine instead of the usual radial.


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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Japan's Kawanishi N1K Shiden (Violent Lightning) fighter and Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Dragon Killer) fighter updated

Actually I updated both these yesterday, but just now have time to add here.
N1K Shiden and Ki-45 Toryu.


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Monday, January 12, 2009

Japan's Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (mighty wind) fighter floatplane added

I've now added a page for the Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu.



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Sunday, January 11, 2009

Germany's Junkers Ju 88 updated

I've added a ton of new information for the Junkers Ju 88 series of German aircraft. So much that I've had to break apart the main page into several separate pages.


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Friday, January 9, 2009

Romania's Industria Aeronautica Romania IAR 80 fighter added

The Romanians were able to home build a very respectable fighter during World War II, the IAR 80.



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Sunday, January 4, 2009

Germany's Heinkel He 100D fighter added

I've now added a page for the Heinkel He 100D fighter. Though it performed very well, the Luftwaffe choose to stick with the Bf 109.



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Germany's Heinkel He 162 Salamander jet fighter updated

As the German situation was becoming critical it was decided to design and build a jet plane that was to be flown by Hitler Youth that had been trained in gliders. It was the Heinkel He 162.


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Friday, January 2, 2009

United Kingdom's Hawker Tempest fighter updated

I've added some additional specifications for the Tempest.


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United Kingdom's Hawker Typhoon ("Tiffy") fighter updated

The Typhoon page is now updated.


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Thursday, January 1, 2009

United Kingdom's Hawker Hurricane fighter updated

I've added a lot of new information on the Hawker Hurricane fighters that were used by Britain in the early years of World War II. I've also separated out into separate pages the major variants.


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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

United States' Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter updated

I've added quite a bit of new specification information for the Grumman F6F Hellcat. The Hellcat shot down nearly 3/4 of the enemy planes shot down in the Pacific.


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United Kingdom's Gloster Meteor fighter updated

I've added some additional specifications and information for the only Allied jet fighter to be deployed operationally during World War II, the Gloster Meteor.


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United Kingdom's Gloster Gladiator fighter updated

The Gloster Gladiator was used by many countries during World War II.
I've now updated my page with additional specifications, production, and historical information.


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Monday, December 29, 2008

Netherlands' Fokker G.I heavy fighter / ground attack

I've added some small additions for the Fokker G.I.


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Netherlands' Fokker D.XXI fighter updated

I've updated some information on the Fokker D.XXI.


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Friday, December 26, 2008

Germany's Focke-Wulf Ta 152 high altitude fighter updated

If a fighter could be considered "hot", in my opinion the Ta 152 has to be one of the "hottest" fighters produced during World War II.
I've made some minor additions to my web page.


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Germany's Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Fighter updates

Sweden's FFVS J 22 fighter added

During World War II Sweden was a neutral country surrounded by fighting and had to develop their own military aircraft. The FFVS J 22 was a result of this "in house" design and production.



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Italy's Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur) fighter updated

The Fiat G.55 was a very potent fighter, but it appeared to late to make a difference for the Italians. They were produced after the war and used by several countries.


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Italy's Fiat G.50 Freccia (Arrow) fighter updated

I've added some additional information on the Fiat G.50 fighter.


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Monday, December 22, 2008

Italy's Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) fighter updated

I've added some additional information on the Italian main biplane of World War II the Fiat CR.42.


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Italy's Fiat C.R.32 fighter added

I've added a page for the early war biplane fighter used by the Italians, the Fiat C.R.32. Luckily I was able to find quite a few photos.



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Sunday, December 21, 2008

United Kingdom's Fairey Firefly fighter, fighter bomber updated

I've updated my page for the Fairey Firefly.


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Friday, December 19, 2008

Germany's Dornier Do 335 Pfiel (Arrow) fighter added

The Germany's produced one of the most interesting propeller driven fighter planes of World War II, the Dornier Do 335 Pfiel. It had excellent performance, but it came too late in the war and was produced in too small of numbers to make a difference.



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Italy's Fiat G.50 Freccia (Arrow) fighter updated

Giuseppe Gabrielli, designed the G.50 Freccia as his very first design for Fiat. Though it was a monoplane fighter, its performance was inadequate against enemy fighters.


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Italy's Fiat CR.42 Falco (Falcon) Fighter updated

By the mid-1930s most countries were designing monoplane fighters. However, Italy, was still designing biplanes such as the CR.42 Falco fighter. I've made some additions to my page.


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United Kingdom's Hawker Hurricane fighter updated

The Hurricane was the primary aircraft that defended Britain during the Battle of Britain. It shot down more enemy planes than all other defenses combined.


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United Kingdom's Supermarine Spitfire fighter updated

Another one of the top fighter aircraft used during World War II was the Spitfire that was produced by Britain.


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United States' North American P-51 Mustang fighter updated

The P-51 Mustang is probably one of the most well known fighters to be used during World War II. It didn't have a very good start as it didn't have good performance at high altitudes, but once the engine was replaced with a Rolls-Royce Merlin it became a fabulous performer. I've made some minor updates to my pages:


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United States' Republic P-47 Thunderbolt fighter updated

I've added some collaberating information to the P-47 page.


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Thursday, December 18, 2008

France's Arsenal VG-33 fighter added

I've added a page for a French fighter that didn't see action in World War II, the Arsenal VG-33.



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Sunday, December 14, 2008

Yugoslavia's Rogozarski IK-3 fighter added

I've added a page for the Rogozarski IK-3.



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Netherlands' Fokker T.VIII-W bomber added

I've now added a page and some photos for the Fokker T.VIII-W.



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Netherlands' Fokker G.1 heavy fighter / ground attack updated

I've updated the information for the Fokker G.1.


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Netherlands' Fokker D.XXI fighter added

I've added two pages for the Fokker D.XXI (photos).



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Saturday, December 13, 2008

United States' Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter updated

I've updated and separated out the models for the the P-40 and added a photo.



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United States' Curtiss P-40 Warhawk fighter updated

I've added mostly collaborating information for the Curtiss P-40 fighter that was known as the Tomahawk and Kittyhawk in Britain.


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United States' Bell P-39 Airacobra fighter updated

I've made some minor updates to the P-39 Airacobra web page.


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United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter updated

I've added some collaborating information for the P-38, one of my all time favorite planes.


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Soviet Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter updated

I've added some additional information for the Yakovlev Yak-9 fighter.


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Friday, December 12, 2008

Poland's PZL P-24, fighter added

I've added a new page for the PZL P-24 fighter.



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Thursday, December 11, 2008

Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 fighter updated

I've updated the information for the Soviet MiG-3 fighter.


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