| ID Number |
Picture |
Manufacturer |
Model |
Country |
Notes |
| 0001 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Ta 152 H-1 |
Germany |
The Germans were so pleased with Dr. Kurt Tank's FW 190 designs that they allowed him to use the prefix "Ta" for this long-span version of the FW 190 D. This is a JG 301 fighter in April 1945. |
| 0002 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 D |
Germany |
This FW 190 D (water-cooled V-12) is carrying what appears to be a shaped-charge bomb. Bomb was made from scratch. 190 D's were known as "Doras". |
| 0003 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 D |
Germany |
A typical late-war 190 D-12, found abandoned at Rhein-Main airfield in Spring 1945. The D-12 was a ground attack model, but could also reach 453 mph as a fighter. |
| 0004 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 D |
Germany |
Unusual 190 D sporting orange undersurfaces with white stripes, presumably to keep German flak gunners from shooting it down. By this time, almost everything in the air was Allied. "Papagai" (Parrot) Squadron |
| 0005 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 G-8 |
Germany |
This 190 G-8 is carrying a Blohm & Voss BV246 glider bomb, an early "stand-off" weapon. It was tested in the latter half of 1944, but never used operationally.
|
| 0006 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 B |
Germany |
This prototype was able to reach well above 40,000 feet in 1943 with nitrous oxide injection and 4-blade prop. Development was dropped due to teething problems.
|
| 0007 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 D |
Germany |
Another typical 190 D "Dora". One of my early efforts in the late 1950's. V12-engine
|
| 0008 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 F-8 |
Germany |
"Red 9" of I/SG2 in 1944. This is a close-support F-8 model on the Russian Front. It's been over-sprayed with white as winter camouflage. Air-cooled radial engine.
|
| 0009 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 A8/R1 |
Germany |
The A8/R1 had the amazing total of two heavy machine guns and 6 20 mm cannons, including 4 of them hung under the wings in gondolas.
|
| 0010 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 A5/U15 |
Germany |
Another one of my 1950's models, modified from a 190 A kit. This A5/U15 carried a 2090 lb. LT950 torpedo and had a longer tailwheel. Only 3 were built, in November 1943.
|
| 0011 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 A |
Germany |
Yet another 1950's model carrying a bomb. 190's were used heavily in the ground support role, in addition to fighter duty.
|
| 0012 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Fw 190 V1 |
Germany |
This is the original 190 V1 prototype flown at Bremen airport on June 1, 1939, with a ducted spinner, soon abandoned. The first of 20,251 produced.
|
| 0013 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 187A Falke |
Germany |
Although an excellent aircraft, this was not ordered into production. Only 6 were built. They were used to defend the company's factory against Allied air attacks, flown by company test pilots.
|
| 0014 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 189 A-1 |
Germany |
This reconnaisance aircraft was used extensively on the Eastern Front.
|
| 0015 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 61 |
Germany |
An early German helicopter flown in the late 30's. Scratch-built from a Spad fuselage, sprue and sheet vinyl.
|
| 0016 |
 |
Focke-Angelis |
FA 330 |
Germany |
A gyrokite towed by a U-boat so that the pilot could look for targets. Found to be impractical because it took too long to reel in under Allied air attack.
|
| 0017 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
Treib-Flugel |
Germany |
Interesting concept. The 3 wings would rotate, powered by small jets, allowing vertical take-off. Scratch-built from a U.S. missile, sheet vinyl and wooden dowels.
|
| 0018 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 200 |
Germany |
Early transport version converted from civilian model with 2-bladed wooden propellers.
|
| 0019 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 200 C4/U1 |
Germany |
This transport version is in white camouflage for the Russian winter.
|
| 0020 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 200 C3/U1 |
Germany |
"The Scourge of the Atlantic" sank huge numbers of Allied cargo ships bound for Russia before being finally defeated by increased anti-aircraft defenses and fighter planes.
|
| 0021 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
TA 183 |
Germany |
If this looks a lot like a MIG 15, it's because the Russians coppied it. Big plans for production were in hand had the war lasted longer.
|
| 0022 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
TA 183 |
Germany |
Same as #21, different camouflage.
|
| 0023 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 190D |
Germany |
An ex-JG 26 Dora marked for shipment to the U.S. for testing. Note the upside-down U.S. stars and crude hand-lettering.
|
| 0024 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 56 Stösser |
Germany |
German fighter-trainer.
|
| 0025 |
 |
Focke-Wulf |
FW 44 Stieglitz |
Germany |
Trainer. Built from Spad kit.
|
| 0026 |
 |
Avro |
Anson |
Britain |
General-purpose transport/liaison/trainer. This one was used by the USAAF for training, as the Federal AT-20 Anson II.
|
| 0027 |
 |
Avro |
Anson |
Britain |
A British Avro (A.V. Roe) Anson. Over 11,000 were built.
|
| 0028 |
 |
Avro |
Manchester |
Britain |
The second prototype had a small central tailfin. This bomber was not successful due to its unreliable engines, and was converted into the famous Lancaster.
|
| 0029 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster |
Britain |
The first Lancasters kept the central tail fin, but had 4 Merlins and a longer wingspan.
|
| 0030 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster I |
Britain |
The Lancaster became the mainstay of bomber command. 7374 were built. This model dates from the 1950's.
|
| 0031 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster I |
Britain |
Another early standard Lancaster Mark I. They were also built in Canada.
|
| 0032 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster II |
Britain |
To guard against a shortage of Merlins, 300 Lancaster II were built with radial engines. This is the prototype, with engines from the parts box.
|
| 0033 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster |
Britain |
One of the famous "Dam Busters" from 617 Squadron which destroyed 2 massive German dams with spinning depth charges, while losing almost half the attacking force.
|
| 0034 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster |
Britain |
This Mark I (special) carried a 22,000 lbs. "Grand Slam" bomb, the biggest conventional bomb used by any belligerent in WW II. A truly amazing feat.
|
| 0035 |
 |
Avro |
Lancaster |
Britain |
Two Lancasters were fitted experimentally with a huge "saddle tank" to extend their range for missions against Japan. This tank was scratch-built.
|
| 0036 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufort |
Britain |
British torpedo bomber. Also built in Australia.
|
| 0037 |
 |
Boeing |
P-12E |
USA |
One of the last USAAC biplanes.
|
| 0038 |
 |
Boeing |
P-26A "Peashooter" |
USA |
The Filipinos used these against the Japanese Zeros in December 1941. Brave men, the Filipinos.
|
| 0039 |
 |
Boeing |
B-17D |
USA |
The famous "Swoose" of the 14th Bomber Squadron, the last survivor of the 35 B-17's based in the Philippines at the time of the Japanese attacks in December 1941.
|
| 0040 |
 |
Boeing |
B17F |
USA |
Another famous B-17, the "Memphis Belle."
|
| 0041 |
 |
Boeing |
XB-40 |
USA |
This was an experimental escort fighter, a converted B17F with additional guns and ammo, but no bombs. It was intended to escort regular B-17's but couldn't keep up with them, especially after the bomb run.
|
| 0042 |
 |
Boeing |
B17G |
USA |
This natural-aluminum B17 had the rear end damaged by German flak. It was replaced with an olive-drab rear end from another B17.
|
| 0043 |
 |
Boeing |
B17G |
USA |
A colorful B17G with over 80 missions and artwork signed by famous cartoonist Milton Caniff.
|
| 0044 |
 |
Boeing |
C-73 |
USA |
The Boeing 247 civilian airliner was used by the military under the designation C-73.
|
| 0045 |
 |
Boeing |
XB-29 |
USA |
The 3rd B-29 prototype with 3-blade props (robbed from Hellcats) and no armament.
|
| 0046 |
 |
Boeing |
F4B-4 |
USA |
The U.S. Navy version of the P-12 (or vice versa).
|
| 0047 |
 |
Boeing |
B-29A |
USA |
Early B-29's had the standard olive drab/gray camouflage and attacked Japan from Chinese bases.
|
| 0048 |
 |
Boeing |
B-29 |
USA |
Due to lingering doubts about the remote-controlled gun turrets, one B-29 was fitted with 4 manned turrets (from the parts box) and twin cheek guns.
|
| 0049 |
 |
Boeing |
B-29 |
USA |
B-29 operations were converted from high-altitude daylight to low-level night missions, which were devastating to flammable Japanese cities.
|
| 0050 |
 |
Boeing |
B-17F |
USA |
Many Allied aircraft had to divert to Switzerland due to battle damage. This B-17 was repainted in Swiss colors and used in tests. It was returned after the war.
|
| 0051 |
 |
Boeing |
B-17G |
USA |
Switzerland wasn't the only foreign power to operate B-17's. Germany had several, including this one which crash landed. It was repaired and used by the Luftwaffe for clandestine missions over liberated Europe.
|
| 0052 |
 |
Bristol |
Bulldog |
Britain |
Colorful British biplane.
|
| 0053 |
 |
Bristol |
Bulldog |
Britain |
Bulldogs were exported to Sweden.
|
| 0054 |
 |
Bristol |
Bulldog |
Britain |
Bulldogs were exported to Denmark.
|
| 0055 |
 |
Bristol |
Bulldog |
Britain |
Bulldogs were exported to Spain.
|
| 0056 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim |
Britain |
Built as a private venture by a newspaper magnate, the "Britain First" became the progenitor of a prolific family.
|
| 0057 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim I |
Britain |
A special unarmed photo reconnaissance Blenheim I.
|
| 0058 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim V |
Britain |
This prototype had a ground-attack nose.
|
| 0059 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim I |
Britain |
The Fins used 18 Blenheims on skis (and anything else they could get their hands on) in their valiant battle against the Russian invaders.
|
| 0060 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim IV |
Britain |
The Free French were given Blenheims for use in North Africa.
|
| 0061 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter |
Britain |
The Beaufighter prototype was developed from the Beaufort and was turned out in an amazing diversity of models.
|
| 0062 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter |
Britain |
The prototype in a different color scheme.
|
| 0063 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.21 |
Britain |
A "Beau" of No. 31 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force.
|
| 0064 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.V |
Britain |
This is one of 2 Beaufighter V's fitted with a 4-gun dorsal turret (mine came from a Defiant kit).
|
| 0065 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter |
Britain |
A Beaufighter II prototype with more powerful Griffon engines and 4-blade props.
|
| 0066 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.X |
Britain |
Coastal Command Beaus were often armed with rockets to attack German shipping.
|
| 0067 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter |
Britain |
Beaufighters suffered from directional instability, so they tried a taller tail fin.
|
| 0068 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter |
Britain |
Beaufighters suffered from directional instability, so they tried and twin fins.
|
| 0069 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.X |
Britain |
Beaufighters suffered from directional instability, so they finally settled for an extended dorsal fin on the Mark X.
|
| 0070 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.X |
Britain |
This heavily-armed Beau has rockets and a torpedo.
|
| 0071 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.X |
Britain |
This Beau sports D-Day invasion stripes.
|
| 0072 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.X |
Britain |
A Beau with a long-range fuel tank and rockets.
|
| 0073 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter MkIF |
Britain |
An unusual Beau with large propeller spinners.
|
| 0074 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.21 |
Britain |
This Australian Beau had American Pratt & Whitney engines and extended nacelles.
|
| 0075 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.21 |
Britain |
An Australian Mk.21 in forest green.
|
| 0076 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.21 TT |
Britain |
Some Mk.21's were converted to target-towing duties.
|
| 0077 |
 |
Bristol |
Beaufighter Mk.VI |
Britain |
Four USAAF night-fighter squadrons in the Mediterranean used Mk.VI Beaus as "reverse Lend-Lease."
|
| 0078 |
 |
Boeing |
B-17 |
USA |
This is a British B-17C. They didn't have much luck with it, due to mechanical failures and inadequate armament. |
| 0079 |
 |
Boeing |
B-17 |
USA |
Another British B-17, this one an E, with a 40 mm cannon in the nose. |
| 0080 |
 |
Bristol |
Blenheim IV |
Britain |
A Portuguese Blenheim. Some were purchased; some were interned after forced landings. |
| 0081 |
 |
Bristol |
Bolingbroke III |
Britain |
Basically the Blenheim manufactured in Canada. This one had floats. |
| 0082 |
 |
Messerschmitt |
Me264 |
Germany |
The so-called "New York" bomber. It had the range to reach New York, but losses would have been catastrophic. Only 2 prototypes were built. |
| 0083 |
 |
Convair |
B-24G |
USA |
This late-model B-24 was captured by the Germans after losing 3 engines over Munich. The Germans used it for radar tests. |
| 0084 |
 |
Heinkel |
He177-A5 |
Germany |
These had two coupled engines driving each propeller. These were prone to overheating and catching fire. It was nicknamed "Luftwaffe Lighter." This model carried 3 HS293 guided missiles. |
| 0085 |
 |
Heinkel |
He277V1 |
Germany |
The obvious solution [to the overheating problem described with model #84] would have been to separate the engines. The Air Ministry wouldn't hear of it, but the factory went ahead and built a handful of them in secret. |
| 0086 |
 |
Junkers |
Ju352 |
Germany |
A not-very-successful transport. Only 43 were built. |
| 0087 |
 |
Heinkel |
He59D |
Germany |
A rather large float plane. In 1940, ten of these landed on the river in Rotterdam, Holland, and captured a vital bridge. |
| 0088 |
 |
Messerchmitt |
Me323 |
Germany |
This huge glider (wingspan of 180 ft.) had rocket packs under the wings to help get it up in the air. |
| 0089 |
 |
Heinkel |
He-111 "Zwilling" |
Germany |
This is the contraption that pulled the Me323's off the ground---two He-111's with a common wing and a 5th engine. |
| 0090 |
 |
Messerschmitt |
Me323D |
Germany |
The towing of Me323's was not really practical, so they hung 6 captured French Gnome-Rhone engines on them. They were used extensively in Russia and Tunisia. |
| 0091 |
 |
Vickers |
Wellington |
Britain |
This Wellington fell into the hands of the Germans and was flown by them for testing. |
| 0092 |
 |
Blohm & Voss |
BV 170 |
Germany |
B & V had a thing about designing unusual aircraft. There's a kit of this, but I made this from a cigar tube, sheet styrene, wooden dowels and parts box propellers. |
| 0093 |
 |
Blohm & Voss |
BV 170 |
Germany |
In addition to the bomber above [model #92], a recon version was also planned. Neither reached production. Scratch-built also. |
| 0094 |
 |
Junkers |
Ju-86R-1 |
Germany |
Long wingspan gave very high ceiling for recon missions over England. The Brits put a stop to that with specially-modified Spitfires. |
| 0095 |
 |
Blohm & Voss |
BV 222 V2 |
Germany |
Very large flying boat. They demanded such a production effort that only 13 were built. |
| 0096 |
 |
Junkers |
Ju 290 |
Germany |
Used for maritime reconnaissance over the Atlantic. |
| 0097 |
 |
Flettner |
FL282 |
Germany |
Twin-rotor German helicopter. There's a kit, but this one's scratch-built. |
| 0098 |
 |
Junkers |
Ju EF128 |
Germany |
One of the many end-of-war proposals that never got off the ground. Scratch-built. |
| 0099 |
 |
Blohm & Voss |
BV 155 V1 |
Germany |
Another weird Blohm & Voss creation. Based on an Me 109, its 69 ft. wingspan allowed it to reach 56,100 ft. It flew 3 times. Scratch-built. |
| 0100 |
 |
Lippisch |
LIDM1 |
Germany |
A glider which led to a proposal for a larger jet fighter. Scratch-built. |
| 0101 |
 |
Blohm & Voss |
BV 211 |
Germany |
Another end-of-war proposal for a cheap mass-produced jet fighter. Scratch-built. |
| 0102 |
 |
Convair |
PB4-Y1 |
USA |
The PB4-Y1 was the U.S. Navy version of the B-24J. |
| 0103 |
 |
Convair |
PB4-Y2 |
USA |
The PB4-Y2, on the other hand, had no Army equivalent [see model #102]. It had a single fin instead of 2. |
| 0104 |
 |
Consolidated |
PBY |
USA |
Built in larger numbers than all other flying boats combined, the "Catalina" was in action all over the world in the air forces of many countries. |
| 0105 |
 |
Piaggo |
P.119 |
Italy |
An Italian fighter with a radial engine buried in the fuselage. One was built and flown. Scratch-built. |
| 0106 |
 |
SAI |
S.S.4 |
Italy |
The first "canard" warplane, the single example flew in May, 1939. Scratch-built. |
| 0107 |
 |
Fokker |
D.XXIII |
Holland |
Very advanced for its time (1938), only one was built and flown. Destroyed in the German attack of May 10, 1940. Scratch-built. |
| 0108 |
 |
De Schelde |
S.21 |
Holland |
Proposed ground-attack fighter. The unfinished prototype was captured by the Germans. Scratch-built from, among other things, a B-25 nose. |
| 0109 |
 |
Arsenal-Delanne |
10 |
France |
This 2-seat fighter made 15 flights under the German-controlled Vichy government. Scratch-built. |
| 0110 |
 |
Besson |
MB-411 |
France |
Small seaplane used on the large French submarine "Surcouf," taken apart to fit in a hangar on the sub. Scratch-built from a "Spad" kit. |
| 0111 |
 |
Caproni-Campini |
CC2 |
Italy |
First Italian jet, flown in 1940. Not a true jet, it had a piston engine driving a fan to which fuel was added. Scratch-built from a wooden dowel. |
| 0112 |
 |
Consolidated-Vultee |
XP-81 |
USA |
This what you get when you combine a turboprop and a jet engine. The single one made had very fine handling. Scratch-built from "Sabre" fuselage. |
| 0113 |
 |
Westland |
Lysander |
Britain |
A prototype was built with a 4-gun turret in the rear. The idea was to strafe German troops landing on British beaches. Scratch-built from Lysander kit, Corsair fuselage and Lancaster turret. |
| 0114 |
 |
Handley-Page |
HP75 |
Britain |
Flown in 1943 to investigate tail-less aircraft. Scratch-built. |
| 0115 |
 |
Chance-Vought |
V-173 |
USA |
Low-powered test version of the XF5-U1, a proposed STOL Navy fighter. |
| 0116 |
 |
Kellett |
YO-60 |
USA |
Typical autogiro. The propellor pulls the plane forward and the helicopter blades pull it up. Scratch-built from Vigilant cockpit, landing gear spats, etc. |
| 0117 |
 |
Sikorski |
R6-A |
USA |
255 of these improved R4's were built during WW II. |
| 0118 |
 |
Northrup |
XP-79B |
USA |
Northrup was obsessed with flying-wing designs. The XP-59 flew in 1945 on 2 turbojets, but crashed. Scratch-built from DFS 230 wings, Matchbox stands and "Sabre" fins. |
| 0119 |
 |
Vultee |
XP-54 |
USA |
Scratch-built from "Sabre" and "Airacobra" wing, wooden dowel, and He177 propeller. Nicknamed the "Swoose Goose." Two were built and flown. |
| 0120 |
 |
Martin |
Mars |
USA |
This huge flying boat could carry a 13,000 lb. payload 4375 miles. This vacuform kit was made in the Allentown, PA area. I found it in Liége, Belgium and brought it back to within 35 miles of its birthplace. The kit had a single fin which I replaced with twin fins per my reference source. |
| 0121 |
 |
Martin |
Mariner |
USA |
Made in many different versions and used mainly in the Pacific; 1289 were built. |
| 0122 |
 |
Convair |
B-32 Dominator |
USA |
The B-32 was going to be the successor to the B-24, but it had teething problems and its competitor, the B29, proved to be so good that the B-32 was cancelled. |
| 0123 |
 |
Curtiss |
C-46 Commando |
USA |
The Commando was the backbone of "Flying the Hump," taking supplies from India over the Himalayas to China to support the initial B-29 attacks against Japan. |
| 0124 |
 |
Consolidated-Vultee |
B-36 |
USA |
A really huge aircraft. Originally designed early in the war, when it looked like England might fall to the Nazis and Germany would have to be bombed from U.S. bases. It had a long career after the war as the mainstay of Strategic Air Command until B-52's came on line. |
| 0125 |
 |
Lockheed |
C-69 Constellation |
USA |
This graceful aircraft had been ordered by civilian airlines, but was commandeered by the military. After the war, of course, the "Connie" had a long and successful career.
|
| 0126 |
 |
Northrop |
XB-35 |
USA |
This unique flying wing lost out to the B-36, but was resurrected 45 years later as the B-2 stealth bomber. |
| 0127 |
 |
Lockheed |
PV-1 Ventura |
USA |
One of the ubiquitous Hudson family, this model was armed for maritime reconnaissance and attack. |
| 0128 |
 |
Lockheed |
Hudson |
USA |
A typical Hudson, rebuilt from a kit someone else had built. |
| 0129 |
 |
Grumman |
J2F-6 Duck |
USA |
Probaby the first aircraft produced by the fledgling Grumman Company, this amphibious floatplane was used by the Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Argentina. This particular model was built by Columbia Aircraft of Long Island after Grumman ceased production in 1942. |
| 0130 |
 |
Grumman |
F7F-3 Tigercat |
USA |
Designed to serve on the new "Midway"-class carriers, it was not built in large numbers. |
| 0131 |
 |
Grumman |
XF7F-1 Prototype |
USA |
The prototype Tigercat had propeller spinners. |
| 0132 |
 |
Ryan |
FR-1 Fireball |
USA |
Fitted with a radial engine and a turbojet, this plane was overtaken by the end of W.W. II and only 69 were built. |
| 0133 |
 |
Curtiss |
SO3C-1 Seamew |
USA |
This scout plane had turned-up wing tips to try to cure some instability. It was not at all popular with its crews, and did not stay in service long. The Brits didn't like it either, using their 150 for training only. |
| 0134 |
 |
Curtiss |
SC-1 Seahawk |
USA/td>
| Most Seahawks had float gear, but this one was fitted with temporary fixed wheel undercarriage for ferrying. |
| 0135 |
 |
Curtiss |
SOC-3 Seagull |
USA |
This scout plane had a long and distinguished career, evenually outlasting its proposed replacement, the Seamew. This one is painted in the colors of the U.S. Navy Commander-in-Chief. |
| 0136 |
 |
Martin |
Mauler |
USA |
This was the competitor to the Douglas Skyraider. It didn't do well because it was hard to land on carriers. Also, it weighed a lot more than the Skyraider on the same power, so its payload was significantly less. |
| 0137 |
 |
| SC-1 Seahawk |
USA |
A single-seat scout seaplane for use on cruisers and battleships. It didn't get into the fight until June 1945. |
|
| 0138 |
 |
Grumman |
G-44 Widgeon (AKA J4F-1) |
USA |
A small, low-powered, general-purpose amphibian. This one is in Coast Guard colors. The Air Force, Navy, Fleet Air Arm, Portugal and Brazil also used them. |
| 0139 |
 |
Curtiss |
SOC-1 Seagull |
USA |
This was usually a floatplane, but this example had a fixed wheel undercarriage. |
| 0140 |
 |
Grumman |
F3F-1 |
USA |
This tubby little fighter was only built in small numbers, but it was the predecessor of the Wildcats and Hellcats that were built by the thousands and turned the tide in the Pacific. |
| 0141 |
 |
Vought |
OS2U-3 Kingfisher |
USA |
This excellent scout plane was built to the tune of 1218. It was used for scouting, spotting gunfire, air-sea rescue and even dive-bombing. |
| 0142 |
 |
McDonnell |
XFD-1 Phantom |
USA |
The first Phatom (the F4 came years later) was also the first U.S. pure jet aircraft designed for carrier use from the start. Built in small numbers (60). |
| 0143 |
 |
Curtiss |
SB2C-1 Helldiver |
USA |
This big and heavy dive-bomber did not offer any performance advantage over the famous Douglas Dauntless that it was supposed to replace. |
| 0144 |
 |
Vought |
OS2U-2 Kingfisher |
USA |
Some Kingfishers were fitted with wheel undercarriages instead of floats. |
| 0145 |
 |
Douglas |
TBD-1 Devastator |
USA |
This was the U.S. Navy's first carrier-borne torpedo bomber. Slow and unwieldy, it ran into disaster at Midway, with one squadron being wiped out altogether, and only 5 surviving out of the total of 41 in the attacking force. |
| 0146 |
 |
Grumman |
JF-2 Duck |
USA |
This Duck is in U.S. Coast Guard colors. |
| 0147 |
 |
Douglas |
SBD Dauntless |
USA |
The never-to-be-forgotten Dauntless dive-bomber won the Battle of Midway by destroying 3 out of 4 Japanese carriers in 5 minutes, while the Devastator torpedo bombers were sacrificing themselves down below. |
| 0148 |
 |
Grumman |
TBF-1 Avenger |
USA |
The Avenger had just joined combat when Midway occurred. Six were sent out to attack the Japanese fleet. This is the only one that came back, shot to pieces. But the thousands that followed helped win the Pacific war. |
| 0149 |
 |
Brewster |
F2A-2 Buffalo |
USA |
This fighter was totally outclassed by the Zeros it had to oppose |
| 0150 |
 |
Grumman |
XF8F-1 Bearcat |
USA |
Much smaller than the Hellcat, the Bearcat first flew an amazing 10 months after the contract was awarded but just missed W.W. II. At oe time, it held the word record for faster climb to 10,000 ft. |
| 0151 |
 |
Stearman |
PT-13A Kaydet |
USA |
Widely-used primary trainer. |
| 0152 |
 |
Grumman |
F8F-1 Bearcat |
USA |
Even with the cancellation of contracts at the end of W.W.II., 1,266 Bearcats were built. The French used them post-war in Indochina. |
| 0153 |
 |
Vought |
SB2U-3 Vindicator |
USA |
A contemporary of the Douglas Devastator, this Navy bomber was obsolescent at the start of W.W.II. and didn't last long. Their nickname was "Wind Indicator." |
| 0154 |
 |
Goodyear |
XF2G-1 |
USA |
A special high-performance Corsair was built by Goodyear Aircraft to intercept low-flying kamikazes. Only 10 were built prior to V-J Day. |
| 0155 |
 |
Vought |
F4U-1 Corsair |
USA |
Early Corsair with 3-blade prop and 5-inch rockets. |
| 0156 |
 |
Vought |
F4U-1 Corsair |
USA |
Very early "birdcage" Corsair, before the bubble canopy was fitted. |
| 0157 |
 |
Vought |
XF4U-1 Corsair |
USA |
The prototype Corsair was appreciably shorter than the production model. This one I cut down from a standard kit. This was the first U.S. fighter to exceed 400 mph. |
| 0158 |
 |
Vought |
XF5U-1 Flying Flapjack |
USA |
The "Flying Flapjack" was a U.S. Navy experimental short take-off and landing fighter. |
| 0159 |
 |
Grumman |
F6F-3 Hellcat |
USA |
Developed in a remarkably short time and built in great quantities (12,272), the Helcat allowed the U.S. Navy to achieve air superiority in the Pacific. The red border on the national insignia was used briefly from June 29 to August 14, 1943. |
| 0160 |
 |
Grumman |
XF6F-3 Hellcat |
USA |
The prototype Hellcat had a propeller spinner. |
| 0161 |
 |
Grumman |
F6F-5 Hellcat |
USA |
This Hellcat had a short-lived shark-mouth paint job. It quickly disappeared when the skipper found out (personal insignia were not allowed). |
| 0162 |
 |
Grumman |
F6F-5 Hellcat |
USA |
A usual Hellcat with the usual 5-inch rockets, and two 11.75-inch (home-made) rockets. |
| 0163 |
 |
Grumman |
XF4F-3 Wildcat |
USA |
The first XF4F-3 had a propeller spinner and the square-cut wing and tail surfaces found on all production Wildcats. |
| 0164 |
 |
Grumman |
XF4F-2 Wildcat |
USA |
The first Wildcat had rounded wing and tail surfaces. It started life as a biplane to compete with the Brewster Buffalo. Grumman wisely made it into a monoplane and produced a fighter that could hold its own against the Japanese, including the epic defense of Wake Island. |
| 0165 |
 |
General Motors |
FM-2 Wildcat |
USA |
When Grumman had to switch production to the Hellcat, General Motors continued producing the Wildcat, especially for use on the smaller escort carriers. 5,927 were built, far more than the parent company. |
| 0166 |
 |
Grumman |
F4F-3 Wildcat |
USA |
A Wildcat at the time of the North African invasion (Nov. 1942). Note the yellow ring invasion marking around the star. |
| 0167 |
 |
Grumman |
F4F-3S Wildcat |
USA |
A single Wildcat was equipped with floats as a potential counter-measure to the similarly-equipped Zero (code-named Rufe). Production did not proceed, since top speed was reduced from 328 mph to 266 mph, and the Seabees had proved they could build airstrips in 7 days, enabling land-based Wildcats to operate. |
| 0168 |
 |
Bell |
XFL-1 Airabonita |
USA |
The U.S. Navy ordered a single example of a naval conversion of the P-39 Airacobra. Bell fitted a standard tailwheel undercarriage, new tail and a pointy propeller spinner. The XFL-1 failed to get carrier qualification and was abandoned. I modified a standard P-39Q Airacobra kit to make this model. |