Boeing P-26 Model 281
The Boeing P-26 Peashooter, known as the Model 281 in Chinese service, was the first monoplane fighter to be embraced by the USAAC. It was an all metal, low wing design with a semi-monocoque construction, […]
Articles by PE Matt
Yokosuka B3Y Type 92
In 1932 the Japanese Navy issued its 7-Shi requirements for a new torpedo bomber, to replace the B2M Type 89. Initially both Nakajima, with their B3N, and Mitsubishi, with their B3M, responded. Both designs proved […]
Fiat CR.32
The Fiat CR.32, derived from the earlier CR.30, was a biplane fighter that saw service during the Spanish Civil War with the Nationalists and during World War II with the Regia Aeronautica. It was a […]
Mitsubishi A5M Type 96 “Claude”
The 9-Shi specification for an advanced carrier fighter was issued by the Japanese Navy in 1934, calling for an aircraft with a top speed of 350km/h (high for the time) and an ability to climb […]
Bombers Over China
After the debacle that was the initial bombing campaign against China, the 1st Rengo Kokutai was forced to take stock. So many bombers had been lost to enemy fighters and anti-aircraft fire that a radical […]
Martin 139WC
The Martin B-10 was a revolutionary design on the early 30s. It was the first bomber to feature an all-metal construction, with monoplane rather than biplane wings, and retractable undercarriage. Its performance exceeded that of […]
Curtiss Model 68 Hawk III
The Hawk III that flew over the skies of Shanghai was an export model of the Curtiss BF2C-1 Goshawk, one of many aircraft in the Curtiss ‘Hawk’ series. The Goshawk was designed for a combined […]
Hiro G2H Type 95
The Hiro G2H was one of only two successful designs to emerge from a 1932 program to modernise the IJNAF (the other being the Kawanishi E7K Type 94 “Alf”). The “Navy Experimental 7-Shi Attack Bomber” […]
The Battle of Shanghai: Encirclement, 1937
The Battle of Shanghai continued into October 1937. After the Japanese had successfully landed at Baoshan, on the southern bank of the Yangtze, they failed to follow up this success with further gains. Pushing south […]
Nakajima E8N Type 95 “Dave”
Designed as a replacement for the E4N Type 90, the Nakajima E8N was a derivative of this older plane but featured a more powerful engine, slimmer wings, and a taller tail. A prototype was entered […]