Sunday, January 31, 2010

United States' 1/4 Ton Amphibian Truck added

I was just having a conversation the other day how it would be so cool to have an amphibious vehicle. Here I've added one to my site, the Amphibious Jeep.



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United States' 1/4 Ton, 4x4, Truck, "Jeep" added

I've now added a page for the American Jeep.



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United States' M3A1 Scout Car photos added

Here's some more photos of the M3A1 Scout Car from Life Magazine that was sent to me by Mark Holloway:



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Monday, January 18, 2010

United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman, photos added

Here some more photos of the M4 Sherman coming my way from Mark Holloway.



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Friday, January 15, 2010

United States' M3 light tank, Stuart photo added

Rounding out this morning's photo additions is the M3 light tank.



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United States' M3 medium tank photos added

The M3 Medium Tank was used in North Africa and the Pacific with some success. It definitely wasn't the best tank for it's time, but the 75 mm gun did bring a good punch that the British forces were lacking. Here's some photos of the M3 at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, with some of the photos with women test driving.



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United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman, photos added

The main tank used by the Americans was the M4 Sherman. I've added some photos of the M4 and the M4A2.



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Sunday, January 10, 2010

United States' Gun Performance tables updated

I've made some updates for the 37 mm, 75 mm, and 76 mm guns.


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Friday, January 8, 2010

United States' M6 heavy tank photo added

Here's a photo of the M6 Heavy Tank that were never used in combat during World War II.



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United States' M4 medium tank, Sherman photos added

Trying to do multiple things at once here in my office. So additions are a little slow this morning. But here's the next batch of photos from Mark.

Here's some more photos to add to the numerous photos I already have for the M4 Medium Tank, the Sherman.



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United States' M3 light tank, Stuart photo added

We're going to start the morning with another new picture. This time a M3 Light Tank.


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Thursday, January 7, 2010

United States' M3 medium tank, Grant, Lee photos added

Mark Holloway keeps sending'em (and so could you!) so I'll keep posting them!
Added photos of the M3 Medium Tank that the United States produced during the early years of World War II. They were just an expedient until the M4s came along.



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Sunday, January 3, 2010

United States' T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

Though the World War II Vehicles web site is devoted to the World War II time frame, I will post pictures that fall outside that period if it shows a vehicle that was used then.
The T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage had a life past World War II and here are a bunch of photos from 1946:



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United States' 240 mm Howitzer Photo added

Added a photo of a 240 mm Howitzer, though you won't see much detail as it's under camouflage and in the distance.



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United States' 75 mm Howitzer Photos added

I've added some photos for the 75 mm Howitzer from Life Magazine via Mark.



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Saturday, January 2, 2010

United States' M6 heavy tank photo added

Another photo added from Life Magazine, this time the M6 Heavy Tank.



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United States' M10 3" Gun Motor Carriage photo added

Here's a photo from Life Magazine of the M10 Gun Motor Carriage at the end of World War II with a captured German flag.




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United States' 37 mm M3A1 Anti-Tank photo added

Here's a new photo of a 37 mm anti-tank gun.




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United States' M1 Combat Car photos added

A couple of photos of the M1 Combat Car sent me by Mark.



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United States' M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

I've added some more pictures sent my way by Mark Holloway of the M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage aka Priest.


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Sunday, December 27, 2009

United States' 155 mm Howitzer Photos added

Some more photos from Life Magazine, some 155 mm Howitzers.



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United States' M10 tank destroyer video added

Now added a video on the M10 tank destroyer which was pointed to me by Mark Holloway!


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Friday, December 25, 2009

T19 105 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

Some more photos via Mark that were taken by Life magazine. This time they are of the T19 105 mm Howitzer Gun Motor Carriage.



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United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank photo added

Mark Holloway has passed another picture from Life Magazine my way for posting! It's a picture of a M26 Pershing undergoing wading tests.



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Sunday, December 20, 2009

United States' 105 mm Howitzer Photos added

I've added some pictures that Mark Holloway directed me to that were from Life Magazine of 105 mm howitzers.



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United States' 37 mm M3A1 Anti-Tank photo added

Now for a photo of a 37 mm anti-tank gun being towed by a jeep.



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United States' M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage photos added

I've added some more pictures sent my way by Mark from the M7's manual.



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Saturday, December 19, 2009

United States' M26 Pershing heavy tank photos added

And now for some photos of the M26 Pershing that was used in the last few months of World War II and then in Korea.



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United States' M2A3 light tank photo added

A photo of the M2A3 light tank provided by Mark Holloway.



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Friday, December 18, 2009

United States' M36 Gun Motor Carriage, "Jackson," photos added

And more photos from Mark! This time for the M36 Jackson.



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United States' T28 heavy tank photos added

Here's some more photos from Mark of the T28 heavy tank. In reality it's a self propelled gun, so that's what I'll classify it as.



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United States' M24 light tank, Chaffee photos added

Thanks to Mark Holloway! I've added some pictures for the M24 Chaffee.



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United States updates

I'm starting to go through and update and add links to the new gun pages for the United States.


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Sunday, December 13, 2009

United States' Gun updated and added

I've been adding more information for the guns that the United States used in World War II.


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Saturday, December 12, 2009

United States' Guns added

I've now started to add a little bit more information on the Guns that the United States used during World War II.


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United States' Armored Divisions updated and Mountain Division TOE added

I've added some minor additions to the listings of Armored Divisions formed by the United States in World War II. I've also added a Table of Organization and Equipment (TOE) for the United States 1944 Mountain Division.



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Friday, December 11, 2009

Main Menu United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) updated and added

I've now added the TOE for the 1942 and 1945 Armored Divisions and updated the 1943 Armored Division.



1942:

1943:

1945:

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Sunday, December 6, 2009

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added and updated

I've added and updated some of the American TOEs that were developed during World War II.



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Saturday, December 5, 2009

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) additions

Added some more TOEs for American divisions.



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Friday, December 4, 2009

United States' Tables of Organization and Equipment (TOE) added

One reads about how the United States relied a lot on artillery to help soften up objectives and used to devastating affect in defense and all you have to do is see how much artillery a 1943 Infantry Division was supposed to have.



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Wednesday, November 11, 2009

United States' Aircraft Aces updated

I've additional aces to the list.


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Sunday, October 18, 2009

United States' Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport photo added

The C-47 was the work horse of the air. It transported supplies to remote places and dropped paratroopers behind enemy lines.



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Saturday, October 17, 2009

United States' Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress photos added

The B-17 Flying Fortress was an amazing airplane. It could take an amazing amount of damage and still get the crew back to base.

I've added some photos, including one where in the distance (above the tail) you can see a Me 110 starting its pass.



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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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United States' North American B-25 Mitchell bomber photo added

The Americans were looking for a way to take the war to Japan and the idea to bomb Japan by B-25 medium bombers was eventually decided upon. The B-25s took off from the carrier USS Hornet and did very minor physical damage to Japan but ultimately it lead to the attack on Midway which was the turning point in the war in the Pacific.

I've now added a photo from that mission.


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Sunday, October 11, 2009

United States' T17 Armored Car updated

After seeing the success of the Germans in Europe, the United States Army wanted to have armored cars to use for reconnaissance. However, several models were in the running when the Palmer Board recommended that only one model be the main focus of production. The T17 and T17E1 were in the running but were not selected. However, the British were in need of armored cars and ordered the T17E1.


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Thursday, August 27, 2009

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.


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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.


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Wednesday, August 26, 2009

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.


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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!


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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.


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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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Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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.

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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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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.


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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 . . .

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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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Saturday, August 8, 2009

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).


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Friday, August 7, 2009

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.


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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.


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Saturday, August 1, 2009

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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Friday, July 31, 2009

United States' M4 Medium Tank photo

I've added a new photo of the M4 Sherman Medium Tank.


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Sunday, July 26, 2009

United States' M4 Medium Tank updated

The M4 Medium Tank may not have been the best tank during World War II, but it was reliable, and in numbers that allowed it to arm the Western Allies and supply them to Russia as well.
I've reorganized the M4 pages and added some minor information.


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Friday, July 24, 2009

United States' M3 medium tank updated

The M3 Medium Tank was a design that was quickly put into production to get a more potent tank in the field while waiting for a better design to be developed. Almost 6,300 M3s were built during World War II. The British used many of them, and did like the 75 mm gun that gave them parity with German guns, though the M3 was rather tall.


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United States' M22 light tank, Locust updated

The M22 Locust was intended to be used by airborne forces. However, the Americans didn't have gliders large enough to transport them. The British did, and used the Locust in combat.


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United States' M2 medium tank updated

The M2 Medium was basically an upgraded M2 Light Tank. It had been intended to produce 1,000 of them but after seeing events in Europe in 1940 it was decided to design an improved medium tank to meet the needs of the military.


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United States' M24 light tank, Chaffee updated

Not only was the M24 Chaffee an excellent light tank, but it led the way in producing a "combat team" of military vehicles that would share the same chassis, thus simplifying maintenance and supply.
I've made some minor additions and reorganized the page.


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Sunday, July 19, 2009

United States' M5 light tank updated

I've now updated the page for the M5 Light Tank I've also split out the the page for the M5A1.


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Friday, July 17, 2009

United States' M3 light tank, Stuart updated

The M3 Light Tank was probably used by all the major Allied powers during World War II along with some captured ones being used by Axis forces as well. I've updated and broken out the different models of the M3.


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United States' M2 light tank updated

A tank that was primarily used for training was the M2 Light Tank. It did see some limited combat in the Pacific.
I've updated and broken out the different models to their own pages.

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United States' M1 Combat Car updated

All tank forces had to begin with elementary designs at some point and one of the more successful early designs used by the United States Army was the Combat Car M1. In actuality it was a tank, but it had to be called a Combat Car to get by Congressional restrictions on tank development.
I've now added some minor historical updates.


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United States' History updated

Lessons weren't learned from World War I and the United States was woefully lacking in tanks and other weapons at the start of World War II. Luckily industry was able to ramp up to become the arsenal of democracy. I've added some additional historical information for the United States.


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Friday, June 12, 2009

United States' Divisions updated more

I've added some additional information on the divisions used by the United States in World War II. I've added formation year, dates and which theater they were in. Also added the Marines (my father was in the 3rd Marine Corps Division)!


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Thursday, June 11, 2009

United States' Divisions added

I've added a list of the United States' divisions formed and/or used in World War II.


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Sunday, June 7, 2009

United States' Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber updated and photos added

Growing up in the 70s in Northern California I can remember the Forest Service using a B-17 and a B-24 to help fight forest fires. I was near enough to the fires that I could see their bomb bay doors open and drop the fire retardant seemingly right over my head. These just fueled my interest in World War II even more.
I've now added some additional information on the B-24 and added some pictures.



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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Aces updates

I've added updates for several of the Aces of these countries:

Finland: Aces
France: Aces
Germany: Aces
United Kingdom: Aces
United States: Aces

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Friday, June 5, 2009

United States' North American B-25 Mitchell bomber and units updated

I've added some BuNo Numbers for the B-25 Mitchell and listed some of the PBJ units they were used in by the Marine Corps in World War II.


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Thursday, June 4, 2009

United States' Tank Destroyer Battalions updated

I've added a little more information on the American Tank Destroyer Battalions used during World War II.


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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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United States' Douglas SBD Dauntless updated

I've added some minor additions to the Dauntless dive bomber.


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United States' Curtiss SB2C Helldiver dive bomber updated

I've added additional historical and production information on the Curtiss Helldiver Navy dive bomber that was used during World War II. There's also a new picture.



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Friday, May 29, 2009

United States' Squadron and Group Codes updated

I've added a bunch of Navy and Marine Squadrons.


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United States' Grumman TBF/TBM Avenger torpedo bomber updated

I've added additional production figures for the Grumman Avenger torpedo bomber.


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United States' Squadron and Group Codes

I've added the P-61 Squadrons that were used in Europe and the Pacific.


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Thursday, May 21, 2009

United States' Squadron and Group Codes and Aces updated

I've added more Squadrons and Aces from the P-40 units that were in the Pacific during World War II.


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Sunday, May 17, 2009

United States' Squadron and Group Codes, more updates!

Added even more United States squadrons. Seem like a never ending amount of them!


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Saturday, May 16, 2009

United States' Squadron and Group Codes updated

I've made a minor update and reordered the squadrons list.


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Friday, May 15, 2009

United States' Aircraft Aces updated

I've added some night fighter aces to the American Aces listing.


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Sunday, May 10, 2009

United States' Aircraft Aces updated

I've added some additional names to the Aces list for the United States.


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Sunday, April 26, 2009

United States' Waco CG-4A Hadrian transport added

The Waco CG-4A glider was used in the main airborne operations conducted by the Allies during World War II.



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United States' Vultee Vengeance dive bomber added

The dive bomber craze resulted in the RAF wanting a dive bomber of their own. Eventually this resulted in the Vultee Vengeance being developed. However it didn't live up to expectations and was relegated to being a target tug.



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United States' Vultee Valiant trainer added

In the early years of World War II the Vultee Valiant was used by the Air Force and Navy for training. Over 11,000 were produced.



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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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United States' Vought OS2U Kingfisher land and floatplane added

The Vought OS2U Kingfisher was used throughout the world in all fighting theaters by the United States Navy. It was used from ships or from inshore bases.



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Friday, April 24, 2009

United States' Vought SB2U Vindicator updated

I've now added additional specifications and historical information for the Vought SB2U Vindicator.


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Sunday, April 19, 2009

United States' Squadron and Group Codes updated

The 9th Air Force's Group and Squadron codes have now been added.
If anyone has the British codes or codes for other units feel free to send them my way as I'd be happy to include them in this web site!

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United States' Squadron and Group Codes added

When the United States entered World War II it was decided to adopt the British system of unit identification codes. This was a system where there was a 2 letter/digit code that indicated the unit, and a 3rd letter that designated the particular aircraft in the unit. Of course there were exceptions to this, but probably 99% followed this method. I've now added the Squadron and Group Codes for the units in the 8th Air Force. I'll add the 9th Air Force later.


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United States' Aircraft Aces updated

I've added some more American Aircraft Aces to my list.


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Friday, April 17, 2009

United States' M40 and M43 Gun Motor Carriage updated

The United States was able to bring to bear some very accurate self propelled artillery in the last months of the war. The M40 and M43 Gun Motor Carriages were well liked by their crews and were even nicknamed "long range snipers" because of their accuracy.


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United States' M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage updated

After a few poor designs for anti aircraft half tracks, the M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage was very well received by the Marines and the Army. Its nickname was very well deserved, the "meat chopper."


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