IJAAF Unit Structure

May 8, 2015 PE Matt 0

The basic unit of the IJAAF unit structure was the chutai, which translates as “squadron” and is roughly similar to the German staffel. Chutai consisted of perhaps 9 aircraft, and could be specified as dokuritu […]

Nakajima Ki-27

Ki-27s and Ki-10s In Action

May 8, 2015 PE Matt 0

Ki-27s and Ki-10s (posing as Chinese aircraft) appear in dogfighting scenes from the September 1940 film Moyura Ōzora, or in English “The Burning Sky”. This film shows some of the excellent formation flying and combat manoeuvring […]

Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator

May 8, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Gloster Gladiator was privately developed by the company to meet an RAF specification for a 250mph fighter. It was derived from the Gloster Gauntlet biplane which preceded the Gladiator as the RAF’s frontline fighter. […]

Central China

May 6, 2015 PE Matt 1

In March 1938, with the Japanese having consolidated their hold on Shanghai and Nanking, the advance into Central China slowed down. No plan existed for further operations, as the Japanese had expected the Chinese to […]

Nakajima Ki-27

Nakajima Ki-27 Type 97 “Nate”

May 5, 2015 PE Matt 1

The Nakajima Ki-27 was a follow up to the unsuccessful Ki-11 monoplane, which lost out to the biplane Kawasaki Ki-10 in a competition to design a new fighter for the Japanese Army. The Ki-27 was […]

The Soviet Volunteer Group In Action

April 28, 2015 PE Matt 1

In November 1937, with Shanghai secured, the Japanese turned their attention on Nanking. The old capital was devoid of any worthwhile defences so the Chinese decided not to fight for the city as they had […]

Vought V-65C Corsair

Vought V-65/V-92 Corsair

April 27, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Vought V-65, or O2U in US Navy service, was a biplane scout and observation aircraft that entered service in the late 1920s. It was very successful, with versions being exported to 13 different countries. […]

Japanese Fiat BR.20 "Ruth"

Fiat BR.20 “Ruth”

April 26, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Fiat BR.20 was regarded as one of the finest bombers in the world when it made its debut in 1936. It was ordered after Fiat responded to a Regio Aeronautica request for designs for […]

Vultee V-11

April 20, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Vultee V-11 light bomber was derived from the unsuccessful V-1 passenger transport. The V-1 sold in very small numbers because, as a single engine aircraft, it did not meet the safety requirements to operate […]

Yokosuka B4Y Type 96 “Jean”

April 19, 2015 PE Matt 0

The Yokosuka B4Y was a carrier torpedo bomber of the IJNAF. The 7-Shi (1932) requirement for a carrier attack bomber produced the Yokosuka B3Y, which was inadequate for the role. So, the 9-Shi (1934) requirements […]

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