Aircraft of World War II

Katherine_Stinson

johnbr — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:52:10 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: June 1, 1918. Katherine Stinson, "the flying schoolgirl," and her plane at Sheepshead Bay Speedway in Brooklyn after completing a flight from Chicago

Furio_Niclot_Doglio

johnbr — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 21:26:41 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Records Doglio set nine official aviation world records (as recognized by the F�d�ration A�ronautique Internationale or FAI, the aviation world record adjudicating body). Date Aircraft FAI Class Record Event Record 28 December 1932 Fiat AS.1 C.bis 1st category (seaplane) Altitude 7,362 m (24,150 ft) 6 November 1933 CNA ETA C.bis 2nd category (seaplane) Altitude 8,411 m (27,600 ft) 24 December 1933 CNA ETA C 2nd category (landplane) Altitude 10,008 m (32,830 ft) 1 April 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed, given distance of 100 km (62 mi) 517.84 km/h (321.77 mph) 10 April 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed over 1,000 km (620 mi) 475.55 km/h (295.49 mph) 5 December 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed, given distance of 100 km (62 mi) 554.36 km/h (344.46 mph) 9 December 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed, closed circuit of 1,000 km (620 mi) w/ 500 kg (1,100 lb) payload 524.19 km/h (325.72 mph) 9 December 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed, closed circuit of 1,000 km (620 mi) w/ 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) payload 524.19 km/h (325.72 mph) 9 December 1937 Breda Ba.88 C (landplane) Speed, closed circuit of 1,000 km (620 mi) 524.19 km/h (325.72 mph) Second world war When Italy entered World War Two on 10 June 1940, Niclot enlisted in Regia Aeronautica. His first posting was the 355a Squadriglia of 21� Gruppo. On 17 June, Niclot flew his first mission: a patrolling cruise in the sky of Rome with FIAT G. 50. Corpo Aereo Italiano In autumn 1940, he was in Belgium with the Corpo Aereo Italiano, Italian air expedition against England. Niclot carried out his first mission on the 27 October, by escorting a FIAT BR. 20 for bombing Ramsgate. During the whole campaign, Niclot - like the other Italian G.50 pilots - did not encounter enemy fighters, nor shot a single bullet. North Africa His first "kill" was a Hurricane, in North Africa, on the 30 of June 1941, while he was flying a FIAT G. 50. On 30 June 1941, Captain Furio Niclot Doglio, while escorting Ju 87 Stukas that were bombing an English convoy off Ras Azzas, attacked three Hurricanes that were bouncing the dive-bombers and shot down one, damaging the others. For this action, Niclot received a Medaglia di Bronzo al Valor Militare (Bronze Medal to the Military Valour). Malta The others air victories were all claimed on Malta, in July 1942, while flying Macchi C. 202, as Captain of 151a Squadriglia. His first Spitfire was shot down on the 2 of July. That day, while escorting three SM.84, leading ten MC.202s of 151a Squadriglia, he dogfought with Spitfires from 249 and 185 Squadron. During a head-on attack, he hit the Spitfire BR377 of Flight Sergeant C.S.G. De Nancrede from Squadron 249, that had to crash-land on Ta 'Qali airfield, near Mdina. ] On the 6th, he encountered again the Spitfires of 249 Squadron, while escorting three Cant.Z.1007 bis, and he claimed another Supermarine fighter, confirmed by his wingman Tarantola to crash north of Valletta, but the 249 that day had no losses, even if the Squadron had two aircraft shot-up, one of them was flown by Sgt Beurling, that three weeks later would kill Doglio in combat over Gozo. [4 ] The following day, Niclot and seven other Macchi pilots were escorting for the first time the Ju 88A-4 of Kampfgeschwader 77. In the sky of Luqa they clashed with seven Spitfire. Niclot and hiw wingman shot down the Spitfire of Flt. Sgt. D. Ferraby from Squadron 249 (AB500). Niclot last air victory last, was a double "kill": two Spitfires downed on the 13 of July. On 27, he was leading three others Macchi, on the coast of Gozo. Six Spitfires of 126 Sq. attacked them head-on, while 8 Spitfires of the 249 Sq. attacked from left ("10 hour direction"). Niclot was preparing to counter-attack the Spitfires or 126 Sq. when his wingman, sergente Ennio Tarantola, tried to warn his commander, waggling his wings, as Italian radios worked badly, of the Spitfires diving on them from the left, but Niclot understood that Tarantola was warning him of the Spitfires he had already spotted. Fl.Sgt. George "Screwball" Beurling, from 249 Sq., at first hit the plane of Sergente Faliero Gelli, that crash landed on Gozo, and soon after shot down the C.202 (MM 9042) of Niclot Doglio, that was waggling his wings to warn his pilots of Spitfires closing "head-on". "The poor devil simply blew to pieces in the air", recalled the following year Beurling writing the book Malta Spitfire, together with journalist Leslie Roberts. Niclot left a wife and two kids. In less that a month, July 1942, Niclot had done 21 missions of war, over Malta, was involved in 18 air combats, claimed six planes shot down plus four more probable and two shared with his wingman, Ennio Tarantola.

Fokker D.XXI

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:31:22 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:31:21 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Fokker D.XXI

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:30:28 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Fokker D.XXI

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:30:28 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:30:28 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:28:08 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Fokker D.XXI

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:28:08 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Bristol Bulldog (MK IV)

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:28:07 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

537189_272653816203805_343876094_n

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:28:07 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:28:07 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

JU-120 Junkers

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:39 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Description: Air force staff JU-120 Junkers F13

Fokker D.XXI

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:39 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gamecock

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:39 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:38 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Westland Lysander I

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:23:38 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:20:45 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gamecock

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:20:45 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Viima II

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:20:45 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gamecock

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:20:44 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Gloster Gladiator

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:20:44 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

37383_459543212488_6662615_n

SvenFokker D.XXI — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:36:18 -0400

by: SvenFokker D.XXI

Description: Gloster Gladiator II used by the Ilmavoimat (Finish Air force) during the "Winter War" of 1939-1940.

617_the_Dambusters_January_1945

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:21:11 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: 617 the Dambusters January 1945 Group Portrait of 617 2nd Squadron of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) Avro Lancaster bombers of 617 Squadron (the Dambusters) was created to attack the dams in the Ruhr area of Germany (Operation

Elizabeth_Gardner_WASP_pilot_in_a_B-26_Maurader

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:43:42 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Elizabeth Gardner WASP pilot in a B-26 Maurader

C-46_manila_full_of_wounded_1945

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:31:46 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: C-46 manila full of wounded 1945 The Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando was a transport aircraft originally derived from a commercial high-altitude airliner design. It was instead used as a military transport during World War II by the United States Army Air Forces as well as the U.S. Navy/Marine Corps under the designation R5C. Known to the men who flew them as "The Whale," or the "Curtiss Calamity," [2] the C-46 served a similar role as its counterpart, the Douglas C-47 Skytrain, but was not as extensively produced. At the time of its production, the C-46 was the largest twin-engine aircraft in the world, and the largest and heaviest twin-engine aircraft to see service in WWII. After World War II, a few surplus C-46 aircraft were briefly used in their original role as passenger airliners, but the glut of surplus C-47s dominated the marketplace with the C-46 soon relegated to primarily cargo duty. The type continued in U.S. Air Force service in a secondary role until 1968. However, the C-46 continues in operation with Buffalo Airways as a rugged cargo transport for Arctic and remote locations with its service life extended into the 21st century

Hero_of_the_Soviet_Union_s_Guard_lieutenant_Natalia_Meklin_Keys_

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:06:55 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Hero of the Soviet Union's Guard lieutenant Natalia Meklin (Keys) Guard lieutenant Natalia Fyodorovna Meklin (Keys) (1922-2005)-Senior Airman 46 1st guards night bomber Aviation Regiment, 325 7th night bomber aviation Division 4 3rd air army 2 1st Belarusian front. The Decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR from February 23, 1945, for the exemplary combat jobs command and displayed courage and heroism in the battle with the German fascist invaders Guard lieutenant Meklin Natalia Fyodorovna with a rank of the hero of the Soviet Union with the awarding of the order of Lenin and medal "Gold Star" (# 4855). Text of premium sheet (TSAMO, 33, 793756, 31): Guard lieutenant Meklin during fighting against the German invaders made 840 combat aircraft departures on the plane-2 with combat hours flown 1120 m. Is of a general strike 1450 m. Night RAID 1200 m. Dropped to destroy motomehčastej and manpower enemy 132 tons of bombing. As a result, accurate bombing in the infiltrator was 178 strong explosions, 162 of the fire. Destroyed and damaged an enemy crossing, 2 3 artbatarei, 3 1 spotlight, machine-gun point over infantry battalion. Enemy troops scattered 800 thousand leaflets. The result is far incomplete data, only what was posted. Tov. Meklin is the most active participant of Defense of the Northern Caucasus, the defeat of the Germans in the Kuban, the Taman peninsula, Crimea peninsula and in Belarus. Neŝad� its forces and life itself. Meklin takes a very active part in the defeat of the German invaders in Poland. Is a bold fearless Aviator. It horrifies or firing anti-aircraft artillery or enemy searchlights towards the goal. All my strength, all his martial skill gives excellent performance of combat tasks. In the tense days of battle. Meklin produces on 9-10 combat aircraft departures. The effectiveness of bombing is high. All of its combat work served as a model for all personnel. Best nights were:- On the night of November 5, 1942, bombed enemy troops build-up in paragraph Digora. As a result, accurate bombing was caused by a strong Center of fire, which confirms the future crew of the guard. Lieutenant Popova. On the night of February 10, 1943 Bombilla on moving enemy forces from Popovičeska�. Accurate bombing exercises by 2 powerful explosion. Subsequent crews guard St. Lieutenant Parfenovoj and guard Gen. Nikulinoj confirm that the machine exploded ammunition. On the night of March 10, 1943, destroyed equipment and troops of the enemy at Crimean. As a result of the accurate bombing was a hotbed of fire that continued to burn within one and a half hours. Data confirm guard Jr. Lieutenant Kluyev, Guard art. Lieutenant Popov. On the night of January 22, 1944, bombed on strongholds and manpower enemy in Kerch. Has made 7 sorties. In spite of heavy flak and enemy searchlights. Meklin skilful manoeuvre achieved the goal, has made the bombing, which was caused by a strong Center of fire, as confirmed by subsequent crews guard of Lieutenant Klepkovoj and guard Jr. Lieutenant Pavlova. On the night of February 9, 1944 produced bombing on accumulation motomehčastej and manpower enemy in paragraph Turkmen′. Accurate bombing was caused by strong blast with 2 pockets of fire, as evidenced by Lieutenant Aronovoj and crew, guard guard St. Lieutenant Gelman. On the night of May 11, 1944, destroyed by retreating enemy troops in the Bay of Kamy�evatoj. Despite the heavy barrage of enemy fire. Meklin skilful manoeuvring bypassing anti-aircraft searchlights reached tčki and the intended target had made the bombing, which was caused by the explosion, subsequent 2 strong crews guard of Lieutenant Troparevskoj and guard St. Lieutenant Parfenovoj confirm that the exploding ammunition. On the night of June 22, 1944, bombed by enemy troops in paragraph skolpleni� Fallows. As a result of the bombing was the result of 3 powerful explosion, subsequent crews guard Gen. Nikulinoj and guard St. Lieutenant Popova confirm that exploding machines with ammunition. On the night of October 7, 1944, bombed enemy troops build-up in Las and Mak�w. As a result of the bombing was the result of 2 heavy fire, subsequent crews guard of Lieutenant Sebrovoj and guard St. Lieutenant Her confirm that burned cars with fuel. On the night of October 13, 1944 destroyed enemy forces in paragraph Mak�w and road from a point. The night has 9 armed sorties. As a result of the bombing had caused the blast with 2 strong thick black smoke and flames. The result confirmed crews guard of Lieutenant Troparevskoj and guard Lieutenant �igulenko. For exemplary performance of combat tasks command on the front against the German invaders, personally made combat aircraft departures flight 840-2 high efficiency shown by the courage the courage and heroic deed Guard lieutenant Meklin was assigned the title "hero of the Soviet Union. The Commander of the Guards guard Gen. 46 NBAKTP Ber�anska� Natalya Fyodorovna Meklin n�e Kravtsova (Russian: Наталья Фёдоровна Меклин, Ukrainian: Наталія Фёдорiвна Меклин; 1922�2005) was a much decorated World War II combat pilot in one of the three women-only Soviet air regiments. They were nicknamed the 'Night Witches' by their German opponents. She was born on September 8, 1922, in Lubny, Ukraine. In 1940 she joined the glider school at the Kiev Young Pioneer Palace. When she was 19, in 1942 she joined the Night Witches, piloting a Polikarpov Po-2 light bomber, and by the end of the war had flown 980 night missions. In 1953 she graduated from the Military Institute of Foreign Languages.[1] Subsequently she worked as a translator before retiring. She became a member of the Union of Soviet Writers. It is rewarded with the Order of Lenin, with three, with Orders of the Patriotic War of the 1st and 2nd degrees, of the Red Star, with medals. Several schools are named after her in Smolensk, Poltava, Stavropol' and other cities. She was entitled honorable citizen of the city of Gdansk (Poland). She died in Moscow on 5 June 2005.[2]

Colonel_Josef_Priller

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:04:50 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Colonel Josef Priller The Commander of German fighter squadron JG-26 Colonel Josef (pips) Priller (1915-1961) before departing on a flight, he won the Knight's cross with oak leaves and swords, he had a total of 101 victory's.

Kurt_Tank1

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 21:02:59 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Kurt Tank German engineer Kurt tank Chief Designer of the Focke-Wulf -190 and pilot Colonel Josef Priller on the left, in military uniform at the airfield. In the photo visible aircraft Fw-190.

Pilot_George_A_Osipov

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:52:10 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Pilot George A Osipov The pilot, major George A. Osipov. the year 1943, the Belorussian Front. Here he is depicted in the cockpit of his Ilyushin fighter aircraft, but in 1944, he was flying the A-20 Bostons . Duty in a time-bomb Bahmačska� 221-I air Division, order of Suvorov 1st 6 mixed Lublin Krasnoznamennyj Aviation Corps, 16 air force. Successfully served until the end of the war. Wrote the book "bombers in the sky", published in 2003.

Messerschmitt_Bf_110C_Zerst_rer_LG1_14_L1_EK_

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:42:44 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Messerschmitt Bf 110C Zerst�rer LG1.14 (L1+EK) BF-110 L1+EK during a break in combat training in 1940 . A card game in progress featuring, from left to right, Fw. Schob, Fw. Kobert, Ofw. Stegemann and Fw. Hoffmann, all from 13.Staffel, Lehrgeschwader 1. L1+EK of 14.Staffel forms a backdrop to the game. Schob survived the war; Kobert was shot down into captivity on I September 1940; Stegemann was killed when his Bf 110 Crashed on take-off on 21 May 1940 and Hoffmann was killed in action on 15 September 1940 flying as Bordfunker to Staffelkapit�n Hptm. Helmut M�ller, The Messerschmitt Bf 110, often (erroneously) called Me 110, was a twin-engine heavy fighter (Zerst�rer - German for 'Destroyer' in the service of the Luftwaffe during World War II. Hermann G�ring was a proponent of the Bf 110, and nicknamed it his Eisenseiten 'Ironsides'. Development work on an improved type, the Me 210 that was to replace the Bf 110, begun before the war started, but due to teething troubles, resulted in Bf 110 soldiering on until the end of the war in various roles, alongside its replacements, the Me 210 and the Me 410.

P-61_Black_Widow

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:58:16 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: P-61 Black Widow Men of the 490th Armament Section, 386th Service Group, removing ammunition from 50 cal machine guns on Northop P-61 Black Widow. They are left to right: Sgt. John Harvatick, 1522 Myrtle Avenue., Whiting, Indiana, Sgt. Allen A. Ross, 4532 North Mobile Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, Sgt. Lawrence Schanek, 900 East Main Street, Mellville, New Jersey and (on wing) T/Sgt. Warren A. Burr, 6887 North Overhill Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. seen here on Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands, 17 April 1945.

Hans_Joachim_Marseille

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:49:47 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Hans Joachim Marseille German Pilot Hans-Joachim Marseille seen here in the cockpit of his fighter Messerschmitt Bf-109F-4 in Libya, he had completed 382 sorties, with 7 kills during the battle of Britain and in North Africa, he was Awarded the Knight's Cross with oak leaves, swords and diamonds, on the day of his death September 30th 1942, he was officially recorded at 158 victories with 151 in North Africa and 7 during the Battle of Britain this photo was taken on 1st June 1942.

George_Buzz_Beurling

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 23:48:13 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: TORONTO - At the end of the Second World War his was virtually a household name � a hero among heroes. Today he�s largely forgotten, partly because he was uncomfortable in a hero�s role, but mostly because he died in a plane crash in 1948, at age 27 � a plane crash that invoked suggestions of sabotage. Read on. George �Buzz� Beurling was a fighter pilot like few others. He didn�t drink, didn�t smoke, was high strung, usually cheerful, defied discipline, irritated senior command, was a superb pilot and a better marksman. He was the most lethal Canadian fighter pilot in WWII, shooting down a record 31 1/2 enemy aircraft over Malta and was awarded a Distinguished Service Order, Distinguished Flying Cross and two Distinguished Flying Medals as a sergeant pilot. Known as the �Falcon of Malta,� he was pure warrior. He shunned formation flying, and liked to take off on his own �hunting expeditions.� No one knows the number of �probables� he shot down. Among his peers, he was considered the best. Squadron leader James �Ginger� Lacey, one the RAF�s greatest WWII aces (28 kills) said of Beurling: �He was a wonderful pilot and an even better shot.� Born in Verdun, Que. in 1921, he was intrigued with flying and first handled the controls as a young teenager. He flew solo at age 17 and tried to enlist in the RCAF but was rejected due to lack of academic credentials. He found his way to England and joined the RAF, got his wings, but was resented because an �all-English� squadron was wanted � no colonials, thank you. He wound up in Malta, then under day-to-night air attacks to break the island�s morale � an error in Axis judgment, for the attacks strengthened morale. Malta�s fighter aircraft were always outnumbered by German and Italian fighters and bombers.

Australian_Medical_Corps

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:52:09 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Women medical students of the Australian Medical Corps on parade at Lydda in Palestine 15th February 1940.

Flight_Lieutenant_Jimmy_Whalen_DFC_

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:47:04 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Whalen DFC. In November 2010, PZ865 was sent to Duxford for major maintenance and refurbishment. From 2012 this famous Hurricane will wear a new colour scheme, faithfully replicating Hurricane Mk IIC HW840, coded �EG-S�, of 34 Squadron, South East Asia Command during 1944, the personal aircraft of Canadian pilot, Flight Lieutenant Jimmy Whalen DFC. Sadly, Jimmy lost his life on 18 April 1944, 5 days before his 24th birthday, during the Battle for Kohima. He had carried out 176 sorties against the enemy, 107 being over enemy territory and 23 at night. He had to his credit 3 ME-109s destroyed and 1 damaged whilst flying from England and 3 Japanese Navy Val Type 99s destroyed over Ceylon

Major_Eino_Luukkanen

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 17:02:30 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Major Eino Luukkanen The Commander of the Finnish 34 Squadron (Lentolaivue-34) major general Eino Luukkanen) at Utti airfield for fighter of the Messerschmitt Bf 109 g-2. According to official data from 1939 in Finland 1944 Gg. Luukkanen flew sortie, 441 (more than any other Finnish pilots) which scored 56 victories photo taken in April 1943.

Hans-Ulrich_Rudel

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:51:24 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Hans-Ulrich Rudel Hans-Ulrich Rudel(left) honored for 1300 sortie. According to official figures, Riedel has 2530 sorties, destroyed 519 tanks, over 800 cars, 150 self-propelled artillery, 4 armored trains. Sank the battleship Marat, the leader of the "Minsk", the destroyer and about 70 other vessels. 9 Soviet aircraft shot down-7 fighters and IL-2 2. He is the only recipient of the Knight's cross: Banta with Golden oak leaves, swords and diamonds

Lt_Ellis_Uollenberg

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 16:49:39 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Lt Ellis Uollenberg Lieutenant Ellis Uollenberg from 73-318 Squadron 1st fighter Group 7-th air army of the United States examines the prop blade his P-47d Thunderbolt after a hole is made by a 20-mm shell from a Japanese fighter. Ellis Uollenberg killed in action July 15, 1945.

Sen_Inouye_A_War_Hero_Who_Broke_Barriers_

johnbr — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 20:09:38 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: They petitioned the president to let them fight for their country. In 1943, he joined a Japanese-American unit sent to Europe and saw heavy combat. In Italy, he personally stormed three German machine gun nests, taking them out but losing his right arm in the process. Half a century later, Inouye and 22 other Asian-American World War II vets received the Medal of Honor for bravery in the battlefield.

wasp_wwii_pilots1

johnbr — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 17:51:00 -0400

by: johnbr

u190-rcn-crew

johnbr — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:32:31 -0500

by: johnbr

hms-hood-3a

johnbr — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:27:47 -0500

by: johnbr

hms_tartar_full_crew_1940

johnbr — Sun, 13 Jan 2013 16:25:41 -0500

by: johnbr

Nisizawa_Hiroyosi

johnbr — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:52:23 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Death The following day, his own Zero having been destroyed, Nishizawa and other pilots of the 201st Kokutai boarded a Nakajima Ki-49 Donryu ("Helen") transport plane and left Mabalacat on Cebu in the morning, to ferry replacement Zeros from Clark Field on Luzon. Over Calapan on Mindoro Island, the Ki-49 transport was attacked by two F6F Hellcats of VF-14 squadron from the fleet carrier USS Wasp and was shot down in flames. Nishizawa died as a passenger, probably the victim of Lt. j.g. Harold P. Newell, who was credited with a "Helen" northeast of Mindoro that morning. Upon learning of Nishizawa's death, the commander of the Combined Fleet, Admiral Soemu Toyoda, honored Nishizawa with a mention in an all-units bulletin and posthumously promoted him to the rank of lieutenant junior-grade. Nishizawa was also given the posthumous name Bukai-in Kohan Giko Kyoshi, a Zen Buddhist phrase that translates: "In the ocean of the military, reflective of all distinguished pilots, an honored Buddhist person." Because of the confusion towards the end of the Pacific war, the bulletin's publication was delayed and funeral services were not held until December 2, 1947.

Saburo_Sakai_and_Hiroyoshi_Nishizawa

johnbr — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 23:41:26 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Saburo Sakai and Hiroyoshi Nishizawa in Rabaul island, together they destroyed more than 150 allied planes

John_Fitzgerald_Kennedy

johnbr — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 20:45:35 -0500

by: johnbr

General William Mitchell

johnbr — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 10:22:39 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: September 25, 1923. Brigadier General William Mitchell in Washington, D.C. An important figure in the development of military aviation, "Billy" Mitchell is regarded as the father of the U.S. Air Force. His criticism of Army and Navy leaders after the crash of the airship Shenandoah in 1925 led to a court-martial and subsequent resignation. When it came to clothes, cars and horses, he was a connoisseur of the good life.

Captain_Valentine_Baker

johnbr — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:56:54 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Captain Valentine Henry Baker MC AFC (24 August 1888 � 12 September 1942) served in all three of the British Armed Forces during the First World War. After the war he became a civilian flight instructor, and co-founder of the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company. He was the father of novelist Denys Val Baker. Contents [hide] 1 Military career 2 Civilian life 3 Martin-Baker 4 References [edit] Military career Born in Llanfairfechan, Wales, "Bake" (as he was known to his friends[1]) joined the Royal Navy ("for land service") on 27 October 1914, and was immediately rated Petty Officer Mechanic,[2] and assigned to the Royal Naval Air Service Armoured Car Section as a despatch rider.[3] At the time he joined up he was described as being five feet eight and four-fifths inches tall, with a thirty-eight inch chest, "medium brown" hair, blue eyes and a "medium" complexion.[2] Five months later, in the Gallipoli Campaign, he was wounded by a bullet in his neck which lodged near his spinal column. Doctors informed him that any operation to remove it might be fatal, so Baker told them to "leave it alone then", and he lived the remainder of his life with it in his neck.[3] He was discharged from the RNAS on 31 August 1915,[2] but he returned to military service with the Royal Welch Fusiliers as a temporary second lieutenant in November 1915. The following spring, after his marriage to Dilys Eames, he was posted to the School of Aero Flying and graduated as a pilot in September 1916; he was appointed a Flying Officer in the Military Wing of the Royal Flying Corps and transferred to the General List on 25 September.[4] Baker was assigned to 41 Squadron, with which he spent his entire nine-month combat flying career, during which time he was reputed to have shot down several German aircraft.[1] He also earned the Military Cross, awarded on 26 July 1917, the citation read: 2nd Lt. Valentine Henry Baker, Gen. List and R.F.C. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. In a large number of aerial combats he showed the greatest daring and determination. On one occasion, alone, he flew at a low altitude over the enemy lines, attacking and dispersing enemy artillery, infantry, and transport, and returned with a valuable reconnaissance report concerning the retiring enemy.[5] The RFC decided that his skills as a flying ace would be best used to train new pilots, and in June 1917 he became a flight instructor, teaching at Turnbury, Catterick, and Cramlington. During this period, his son was born, and he was successively promoted to temporary lieutenant, and captain on 27 August 1917.[6] Baker transferred to the new Royal Air Force on its formation as a merger of the RFC and RNAS on 1 April 1918. He was awarded the Air Force Cross in the 1918 King's Birthday Honours,;[7] the announcement was made the same day that the medal was instituted,[8] and Baker was first in the alphabetically ordered list of recipients;[7] some sources claiming him as the first recipient of the medal.[1] He was assigned to No. 18 Squadron, then sent to Beverley in September 1919 to supervise the closing of the aerodrome there, followed by an assignment to Grantham aerodrome. On 24 October 1919 he was given a regular Short Service Commission in the rank of flight lieutenant.[9] His final job for the military was in the Secret Codes Department, Air Ministry, from May 1920 until he resigned his commission on 1 October 1921, and was permitted to retain the rank of captain In 1934, Baker left Heston to join his friend James Martin to found the Martin-Baker Aircraft Company, where Baker was the company's test pilot. During a test flight of the Martin-Baker MB 3 prototype, the engine seized and he was forced into an emergency landing, during which the aircraft struck a tree stump and he was killed. Baker's death affected his partner deeply,[14] so much so that pilot safety became Martin's primary focus and led to the reorganisation of the company to focus on ejection seats.[

Ikuta_air_pt

johnbr — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 23:27:36 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) fighter pilots who, on 22 February 1932, scored the first aerial victory in the IJN's history. The shoot-down occurred over Shanghai during the Shanghai incident and the pilots were flying the Type 3 fighter aircraft. From left to right the pilots are: Nokiji Ikuta, Toshio Kuroiwa, and Kazuo Takeo. 日本語: 1932年2月22日、ロバート・ショートを撃墜し、上海公大基地に帰還直後の生田小隊。「加賀」飛行隊所属、左から生田大尉、黒岩3空曹、武雄1空。後は3式2号艦戦。 Date 22 February 1932