World War II Tanks and Planes

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

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:36:00 +0000

The most famous Soviet tank of World War II was probably the T-34/76. It came as a complete shock the the invading Germans. Large factories were moved out of the way of the Germans and Soviet citizens produced them in massive quantities under very trying conditions.

Soviet Union's A-32 and T-32 medium tank updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Next in line, leading up to the T-34, were the A-32 and T-32. As a result of the war with Finland it was found that the existing models had too little armor and not a big enough gun so it was decided by Stalin to proceed with the development of the new medium tank.

Soviet Union's A-20 medium tank updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:32:00 +0000

The A-20 was one, though not the only, of the precursors to probably the most famous of all the Soviet tanks to come out of World War II, the T-34/76. It did run on tracks or wheels like the BT series, and only could carry a 45 mm gun.

Soviet BT series updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:55:00 +0000

The Soviet Union, due to its wide spaces needed a tank that could go long distances. The Soviets adopted the Christie design for their BT series. I've made quite a few updates to the BT series.

Soviet Union's T-28 medium tank updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 16:27:00 +0000

The T-28 was designed to be an infantry support tank. The crews gave them the nicknames: Betka (beetle), Betushka or Tri-Tankista (three tank men).

Soviet Early Medium Tanks added and updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:16:00 +0000

Stalin was very supportive of the burgeoning tank designs that were developed during the 1920s and 1930s. I've now added two new pages and updated a couple more. If anyone has photos I'd be happy to use them!
More to come!

Soviet Union's SU-76 Samokhodnaya Ustanovka updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:36:00 +0000

The Soviet Union produced over 12,000 of the SU-76 self propelled guns during World War II. They weren't popular with their crews and earned the nicknames Suka (bitch) and Golozhopil Ferdinant (naked ass Ferdinand) which was a reference to it being similar to the German Ferdinand tank destroyer.

Soviet T-70 and T-80 light tanks updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 20:04:00 +0000

The Soviets kept on trying to improve their light tank designs. The next one was the T-70, which many felt wasn't an improvement over the T-60. The last one, the T-80 was built in small numbers in 1943. Unfortunately I don't have much information on it.

Soviet T-40 and T-60 light tanks updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 19:29:00 +0000

The T-40 was a decent amphibious reconnaissance vehicle that was too often, used as a regular tank. The T-60 was a much better light tank that was easier to build in large numbers. I've added some historical and specification updates.

Another batch of Soviet Union light tanks updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:56:00 +0000

Here's the next set of light tank updates for the Soviet Union.

T-38, T-37, T-50, T-46, T-38, T-60, T-26

More Soviet Union updates!

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:42:00 +0000

I'm starting through another source of Soviet armored vehicles and these are the updates so far:

Soviet self propelled guns updated and photo added

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:03:00 +0000

The next self propelled guns produced were the ISU-122 and the ISU-152. The penetration tables have also had some minor updates added.

Soviet Heavy Tanks updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 13:34:00 +0000

I've added some updates for the following heavy tanks used by the Soviet Union in World War II.

Soviet Union's SU-152 self propelled guns photo added and updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 12:54:00 +0000

The Soviets saw the successful application of the German self propelled guns and worked on a design of their own. The result was the affective SU-152. It had a 152.4 mm howitzer-cannon that was very successful.

Soviet Union's Su-85 and SU-100 Tank Destroyers and T-44 Medium Tank updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:16:00 +0000

I've made some additions to the following Soviet vehicles:

T-44, SU-100, SU-85

United States' Douglas C-47 Skytrain transport photo added

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:23:00 +0000

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

United States' Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress photos added

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 17 Oct 2009 14:20:00 +0000

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.

Soviet tanks and self propelled gun updates

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 23:32:00 +0000

Ok, last updates for today! Yes, more Soviet vehicles!

SU-122, T-34/85

United States' Vought F4U Corsair fighter photo added

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:43:00 +0000

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.

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

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:53:00 +0000

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.

Soviet tanks and self propelled gun updates

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:59:00 +0000

I'm still working my way through updating Soviet vehicles used during World War II.

United States' T17 Armored Car updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 20:18:00 +0000

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.

Japan's Nakajima J1N Gekko escort fighter updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 22:32:00 +0000

The J1N Gekko was originally intended to escort bombers on long range missions for the Imperial Japanese Navy. However, they ended up being night fighters.

Japan's Kawanishi Interceptor Shiden (Lightning Flash) updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 21:40:00 +0000

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

Japan's Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) fighter updated

noreply@blogger.com (wwiivehicles.com) — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 20:16:00 +0000

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.