CAC Wirraway
The CAC Wirraway was a license-built version of the North America NA-16/AT-6 Texan advanced training aircraft. A commission had been sent from Australia to the United States in order to select an aircraft that could […]
bomber
Consolidated B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was one of the most widely used aircraft of World War II and was the most produced heavy bomber in history, with over 18,000 rolling off the assembly lines. The original […]
The South Pacific Air Ferry Route
In mid-1941 the USAAF began to build up its strength in the Philippine Islands. The Far East Air Force was to be reinforced so that it could effectively defend the islands from potential Japanese incursions, […]
Douglas B-18 Bolo
The Douglas B-18, later given the popular name ‘Bolo’, was designed in response to a 1934 request for a bomber to replace the Martin B-10 and B-12, which at the time made up the bulk […]
Dornier Do 24
The Dornier Do 24 was a long range reconnaissance flying boat designed for the Dutch Marine-Luchtvaartdienst (MLD) to operate in the Netherlands East Indies. There it would replace the older Dornier Do J Wal flying […]
Bristol Blenheim
Originally designed in response to a challenge by Lord Rothermere for a high-speed passenger aircraft, the Bristol Blenheim was a light bomber of the Royal Air Force. The design by the Bristol Aeroplane Company proved […]
Kawasaki Ki-48 Type 99 “Lily”
Inspired by their experience meeting the Soviet Tupolev SB-2 high-speed bomber over China, the Japanese Army issued a request in 1937 for a new twin-engined light bomber with equivalent performance. Kawasaki, who were at that […]
Lockheed A-29 Hudson
The Lockheed Hudson was a medium bomber, built in the United States but primarily operated by British and Commonwealth air forces. It was based on the company’s successful Model 14 airliner, called the ‘Super Electra’ […]
Vickers Vildebeest
The Vickers Vildebeest was originally designed in response to a 1925 request by the RAF for a new high-altitude bomber. The prototype was first flown in 1928, winning the competition over Blackburn and Handley-Page designs, […]
Douglas TBD Devastator
Ordered in 1934 along with a raft of other new carrier bomber aircraft, the Douglas TBD Devastator would go on to be the first all-metal monoplane aircraft flown by the US Navy. The prototype flew […]