Arado Ar 196

The Arado Ar 196 was a ship-borne, reconnaissance seaplane in service with the German Kriegsmarine (Navy) between 1939 and 1945. It replaced the Heinkel He 60 biplane. During World War II, it played an important role in spotting enemy ships of the Royal Navy in the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean. It was carried onboard major surface warships of the Kriegsmarine, such as the Bismarck and the Tirpitz, with each one of them carrying a total of four seaplanes (floatplanes).

Technical Characteristics

The Arado Ar 196 was a reliable and safe to fly aircraft, with excellent handlings characteristics both on water and in the air. It would become the most successful naval aircraft of Germany. It was known as the "eyes" of the German Navy. Due to its heavy armament, it was also used to attack lumbering enemy maritime patrol planes. The most widely used variant was the Ar 196A-3.

Structurally, the Arado Ar 196 was very conventionally built. It was fitted with straight, dihedral, low wing, which consisted of two spars and stressed all-metal skin. Its fuselage was built around a strong framework made of welded steel tubes that supported the skin. This skin was light metal alloy from the engine firewall to the middle of the fuselage (rear of cockpit), and from there to the tail, it was hardened fabric. Thus, it was of a mixed construction.

Each wing of aircraft features slotted flaps and Flettner tabbed ailerons. It had an unswept leading edge and slight taper on the trailing edge of wing. The dihedral configuration greatly improved stability in roll. The tail was also stressed-skin structure but with the movable surfaces covered with fabric. The landing gear was composed of two braced, Alclad light alloy floats. Fuel was stored in two 300-liters tanks, with each one of them being located in the floats.

Specifications (Ar 196A-3)

Type: two-seat, reconnaissance seaplane

Length: 10.96 m (35 ft, 11 in)

Wingspan: 12.44 m (40 ft, 9 in)

Height: 4.44 m (14 ft, 7 in)

Power Plant: one BMW 312K, 9-cylinder, air-cooled radial engine, delivering 960 HP during take off.

Maximum Speed: 312 km/h (194 mph).

Maxium Range: 800 km (497 miles)

Ceiling: 7,000 m

Armament: two 20-mm, wing-mounted MG FF cannons; two 7.92-mm MG-15 machine guns, one firing fowards, the other rearfowards. Two 50-kg bombs.

Below, two Arado Ar 196 seaplanes flying over the Mediterranean, off the coast of the coast of Italy in mid 1943.

 

 One Arado Ar 196A-3 flying over the British channel in 1941.

Below, one of several prototypes, the Ar 193C-V3 in early 1939.

The famous German seaplane flying over the North Sea, with a Kriegsmarine's warship below.

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Tupolev Tu-2

The Tupolev Tu-2 was a Soviet medium bomber used during World War II. Built in large number, its first prototype, the ANT-58, first flew on January 29, 1941. Although it had shown to be an exceptionally performer, the first test flights were not completely satisfactory due to be underpowered. However, the third and fourth prototype, the ANT-60/61, would be equipped with more powerful engines, two Shvetsov ASh-82FN, which delivered 1,850-HP.

Due to the German invasion of the Soviet Union in June 1941, it took long for the Tupolev Tu-2 to be fully developed and enter mass production. It was finally accepted into service in January 1944, and it first saw combat action later that year, in June, when it provided valuable fire support to the Red Army during Operation Bagration. By that time, Tupolev had already made more than 750 aircraft. Production was kept running after the war to a total of 2,510 bombers, with the Tu-2S being the main version.

Technical Characteristics

The Tupolev Tu-2 was a four-seat, two-engine, monoplane, which was built with an all-metal fuselage. However, the fuselage nose was made with plywood. It was fitted with straight mid-wing, with large trailing edge flaps and ailerons. The tailplane was dihedral, high-mounted, fabric-covered, and fixed, with the fins being oval-shaped with standard-size rudder.

This Russian bomber had an excellent airframe and pilots were impressed by the aircraft handling and reliability. It was said that it flew like a fighter. The Tupolev 2 was versatile design, which made of it a viable combat aircraft after WW2 as it would be produced until 1948. It would also be used in the Korean War.

Specifications

Type: medium bomber

Powerplant: two 1,850-HP, Shvetsov  ASh-82FN, 14-cylinder, radial piston engines.

Maximum Speed: 547 km/h (340 mph)

Range: 2,000 km (1,247 miles)

Ceiling: 9,000 m

Length: 13.80 m (45 ft, 3 in)

Wingspan: 18.86 m (61 ft, 10 in)

Wing Area: 48.80 square meters (525 sq. ft.)

Height: 4.56 m (14 ft, 11 in)

Weight: 8,260 kg

Armament: two 20-mm ShVAK cannons set up in wing roots; three 12.7-mm machine guns, with two mounted in dorsal position and one on belly of aircraft. It had a bomb-load of 3,000 kg.

Below, the Tupolev Tu-2S in April 1945.

The famous Soviet bomber after the war parked at a military airbase.

 

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Tupolev TB-3

The Tupolev TB-3 (ANT-6) was a long-range bomber and transport aircraft in service with the Soviet Air Force from 1932 to 1945. It was the first heavy bomber monoplane in military history. Designed by Andrei Tupolev, the prototype had performed its maiden flight in 1930. It was truly a plane ahead of its time as it was reliable and stable, being propelled by four powerful engines.

The civilian version of the Tupolev TB-3 was the ANT-6. Aside from bombing, it was also used for paratroops drops and mother ship for the Polikarpov I-16 and I-5 fighters. More than 818 aircraft was produced between 1932 and 1937. In September 1936, the Russian pilot, A Yumashev, set an international altitude record, reaching 8,116 m of altitude, with a 5-ton load. However, by the time WW2 broke out, it had already become obsolete, and during the Soviet invasion of Finland, it would be relegated to a transport role.

Technical Characteristics

The Tupolev TB-3 was a five-seat, four-engine monoplane. It features straight, cantilever, mid-wing. It was very wide at the base, with large trailing edge ailerons. It had convention tail, with one tail fin, with rudder, and one horizontal plane, with large elevators. Its landing gear was fixed.

The wing was built in five sections, with could be conveniently dismantled for rail transport. At the beginning, the TB-3 was powered by unreliable Mikulin M17 piston engines. However, they would be replaced by more powerful ones; the Mikulin M34, water-cooled, in-line, V-12 engines.

Specifications

Length: 25.10 m

Wingspan: 41.85 m

Wing Area: 234.50 square meters

Height: 5.60 m

Maximum Speed: 288 km/h

Range: 1,400 km

Armament: six machine guns; bomb-load of 5,000 kg.

Below, the Tupolev TB-3 in 1936

 

Drawing of the ANT-6/TB-3 prototype

Below, the TB-3 used as a paratroop transport.

A close-up view of the aircraft nose.

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Taylorcraft Auster

The Taylorcraft Auster was an observation and reconnaissance aircraft employed by the Royal Air Force during World War II. It was developed and produced in Leicestershire, England, by Taylorcraft Aeroplanes Ltd, under license. Entering service in 1942 as the Mk III, it flew its first sorties in North Africa as artillery spotter.

Several civilian variants had been built before the war, but, with the outbreak of the armed conflict, these were evaluated for the airborne observation role. The Taylorcraft Plus-C was selected for production under the military designation Auster Mk I. After several test flights, the British officers saw the convenience and suitability of having such an aircraft to carry out reconnaissance and observation missions. Thus, it was furthered developed into the Mk II and III, which was equipped with a 130-HP Gipsy Major engine.

The next major production variants were the Taylorshaft Auster Mk IV and V. Their powerplants had been improved as they were fitted with an American Lycoming O-290-3 engine. It also features a larger cabin for a crew of 3. A total of 1,630 aircraft would be produced. Thus, the Auster series turned out to be an invaluable liaison aircraft, providing excellent service in North Africa and, later in the war, in Italy and Northern Europe.

Technical Characteristics

The Taylorshaft Auster was a single-engine monplane. It had a high-mounted-wing. Having the wing over the cabin gave the pilot an excellent view of the ground. It also provided the aircraft tremendous lift. The fuselage consisted of metal tube frame with plywood and canvas. It had fixed landing gear, with large wheels and tires.

The high-set wing was fitted with wide trailing edge flaps and ailerons, allowing for an extremely low speed. This was particularly useful when enemy targets on the ground needed to be observed and recorded. The aircraft tail had a large rudder, which allowed the Auster exceptionally turning ability.

Specifications (Mk V)

Type: liaison/reconnaissance aircraft

Length: 6.83 m (22 ft, 5 in)

Wingspan: 10.97 m (36 ft)

Wing Area: 15.51 square meters (167 sq. ft.)

Height: 2.44 m (8 ft)

Maximum Speed: 209 km/h (130 mph)

Range: 402 km (250 miles)

Below, the Taylorcraft  Auster Mk II in 1941.

The Mk IV variant at military airbase in 1944.

 

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M46 Patton

The M46 Patton was a medium tank used by the US Army and US Marine Corps during the Korean War. Based on the M26 Pershing, the M46 was developed and manufactured by the Detroit Tank Plant and entered service in 1949. It was armed with a 90mm M3A1 cannon and three machine guns. The crew was protected by 102mm-thick steel armor on the front hull, 200mm on the front turret, and 76mm on the sides.

Basically, the M46 was an M26 fitted with the new Continental AVDS-1790-5A V12, air-cooled, gasoline engine, delivering 810 hp. While the forward hull and turret were the same, the engine deck was significantly modified to make room for the new power plant.  Large mufflers were added at the rear of each fenders. The Allison CD 850-1 cross drive transmission included in the new update package.

The first M46 Patton tanks belonging to the 6th Tank Battalion landed in South Korea on August 8, 1950. The tank proved superior to the much lighter North Korean T-34-85, which were encountered in relatively small numbers. By the end of 1950, 200 M46 Pattons had been fielded, forming about 15% of US tank strength in Korea. A total of 1,160 M46 tanks were produced; 800 M46 variants, and 360 M46A1 versions.

Specifications for the M46 Patton

Type: medium tank
Weight: 44 tons
Width: 3.51 m
Length: 8.48 m
Height: 3.18 m
Crew: 5 (commander, driver, assistant driver, gunner, loader)
Engine: 810hp, Continental AVDS-1790-5A V12, air-cooled, twin-turbo, gasoline engine
Maximum speed: 48 km/h
Range: 140 km
Weapons: one 90mm gun M3A1 with 70 rounds; one 0.5 in (12.27 mm) M2 machine gun; two .30cal (7.62mm) M1919A4 machine guns

Below, an M46 Patton right out the factory

Below, a M46 Patton, with camouflage, in Korea.

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Sukhoi Su-2

The Sukhoi Su-2 (BB-1) was a close-support bomber and reconnaissance aircraft used by the Soviet Air Force during World War II. During the German invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, it would also be employed as a fighter. It was the first Sukhoi aeroplane to see combat action.

Developed from the ANT-51, the Su-2, which had first been designated BB-1, entered service in April 1940. By September 1941, five aircraft were being built every day. Flying sorties in its original role, the plane was very effective and successful at the beginning, carrying out bombing raids, and reconnaissance and artillery-spotting missions. However, when it encountered the German Messerschmitt Bf 109, the result was catastrophic as losses began to mount.

Technical Characteristics

The Sukhoi Su-2 was a two-seat, single-engine monoplane built with a wooden fuselage. It was fitted with straight, low wings. Cockpit was spacious, for two persons, pilots and navigator, sitting in tandem. It also had retractable landing gear. For winter time operations, it was equipped with landing skies. The aircraft was powered by one 1,100-HP, Tumanskii M-88B, radial piston engine.

Specifications

Type: light bomber/reconnaissance

Length: 10.25 m (33 ft, 8 in)

Wingspan: 14.30 m (46 ft, 11 in)

Wing Area: 29 square meters (312 sq. ft.)

Height: 3.94 m (12 ft, 11 in)

Maximum Speed: 455 km/h (282 mph)

Range: 850 km (525 miles)

Crew: 2

Armament: six 7.62mm ShKAS machine guns, which were mounted four in wings, one in nose, and one in rear section of cockpit to shoot backwards. 600 kg of bombs.

Below, the Sukhoi Su-2 in Moscow. Photo taken after the war.

The BB-1 at a Russian military base in December 1941, during the war.

 

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Heinkel He 219 Uhu

The Heinkel He 219, Uhu, was a WW2, German night-fighter, which was in service with the Luftwaffe from June 5, 1943, to April 1945. The first prototype, the V1, had performed its first test flight on November 15, 1942. The first problem detected on its maiden flight was poor yaw/roll stability, which had been fixed on the third prototype aircraft. The Uhu was produced in several versions, with the He 219A-5 being the major production variant.

The Heinkel He 219 flew its first combat mission on the night of June 11/12, 1943. This early variant, the He 219A-0, was piloted by Major Werner Streib. This first combat sortie turned out to be an epic, for the Uhu shot down five RAF heavy bombers. Over the next ten days, this early stage German fighter was able to shoot down twenty more British bombers, which included six 'Mosquitoes'.

Technical Characteristics

The Heinkel He 219 was a two-seat, two-engine monoplane. It had shoulder-high wing, with straight leading edge and curving trailing edge. It featured a pressurized cockpit and tandem two seats. It had short nose and an all-metal fuselage. The tail was fitted with twin fins. Its landing gear was the tricycle type.

The Uhu was equipped with a FuG-220 Lichtenstein SN-2 radar, with antennas set up on the nose. The aircraft was powered by two Daimler-Benz DB 603E, 12-cylinder engines, with an output of 1,800 HP each.

Armament

The Heinkel He 219A-5 and A-7 versions were equipped with an impressive array of weapons, which made of it a lethal flying machine. It had two 20mm MG-151 cannons located in ventral tray; two 20mm MG-151 cannons mounted in wingroots; and two 30mm Mk-108 guns.

Specifications

Type: night fighter

Length: 16.34 m (53 ft, 7 in)

Wingspan: 18.50 m (60 ft, 8 in)

Wing Area: 44.50 square meters (478.99 sq. ft.)

Height: 4.10 m (13 ft, 5 in)

Weight: 8,345 kg (empty)

Maximum Speed: 585 km/h (363 mph)

Range: 1,850 km (1,150 miles)

Crew: two

Below, the Heinkel He 219A-2 in flight in late 1943.

The fifth prototype, V5, at an airbase in Germany, in January 1943.

Below, the He 219A-5 in England, in late 1945 after the war.

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Heinkel He 177

The Heinkel He 177, 'Greif', was a WW2, German heavy bomber. It had a bomb-load capacity of 7,500 kg and a ferry range of 5,600 km (3,500 miles). Designed as Projekt 1041 by Ernst Heinkel, its prototype, the V1, had first flown on November 19, 1939. After many test flights, it finally entered service with the Luftwaffe, on October 15, 1942, as the He 177A-3. It took part in Operation Steinbock, which was the bombing campaign in southern England in 1944, and other bombing raids on the Eastern Front.

Although it was able to carry a large number of bombs, this German bomber was plagued by a series of technical troubles, which hindered its performance. To start with, its Daimler-Benz 606 engines had a tendency to catch fire without warning. This led the Luftwaffe's pilots to nickname it the "Luftwaffenfeuerzeug" (flying lighter). The aircraft also exhibited a nasty swing on take-off, resulting in several crash. This was due to the inadequacy of the tail surfaces. These problems were solved by replacing the powerplant and fitting it with a larger tail and a stronger damping on the tailwheel.

Technical Characteristics

Despite the initial problems, the 3,500Heinkel He 177 received favorable reports from most pilots, in terms of handling and performance, once it was flying. It was fitted with straight, long mid-wings and an all-metal sleek fuselage. The wings features Fowler-type extensible trailing edge flaps. It had a round, hemispherical nose, with glass panels. The powerplant of the He 177A-5, which was the major production version, consisted of two Daimler-Benz DB 610A-1, 24-cylinder, liquid-cooled engines, each delivering 2,950 HP.

Specifications

Type: long-range, heavy bomber

Length: 22 m (72 ft, 1 in)

Wingspan: 31.44 m (103 ft, 1 in)

Wing Area: 102 square meters (1,098 sq. ft.)

Height: 6.39 m (21 ft)

Maximum Speed: 488 km/h (303 mph)

Range: 5,600 km (3,500 miles)

Armament: six 7.92mm machine guns set up in dorsal and ventral turrets; two 20mm MG-151 cannons; on Henschel 293A missile; bombs.

Below, the Heinkel He 177A-5 variant in flight, carrying the Henschel 293A anti-ship missile.

Three, He 177A-3 on a Luftwaffe airbase in northern France in 1944.

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Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a WW2 fighter aircraft. It was in service with the US Army's Air Force from November 27, 1942, to June 25, 1949. Although it had been designed as a fighter, it was also used as a ground-attack aircraft, or bomber. In this role, it was very useful and effective when it came to destroying enemy transport vehicles and ground troops as it provided fire support to Allied infantry.

With more than 15,000 aircraft produced until 1945, the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was the most massively built American airplane of World War II. Although it looked bulky, it was fast and maneuverable as it was equipped with a powerful 2,535-HP engine. Not only was it a lethal flying machine, bristling with machine guns and bombs, but it was also built with a sturdy fuselage, which could take a lot of enemy gunfire hits and still be able to keep flying.

The prototype, the XP-47B, had flown for the first time on May 6, 1941. It had been designed by engineer Alexandre Cartveli. The most widely manufactured version was the P-47D. On August 5, 1944, a specially-prepared Thunderbolt reached the maximum speed of 811 km/h (504 mph). Nicknamed the "Jug" by pilots, it flew over 500,000 combat sorties between March 1943 and August 1945, both in the European and the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Specifications (P-47D)

Type: single-seat fighter

Length: 11.02 m (36 ft, 2 in)

Wingspan: 12.42 m (40 ft, 9 in)

Wing Area: 27.87 square meters (300 sq. ft)

Height: 4.30 m (14 ft, 2 in)

Power Plant: one Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59, Double Wasp, 18-cylinder, radial engine.

Maximum Speed: 700 km/h (432 mph)

Range: 3,000 km (1860 miles)

Ceiling:13,000 m (42,000 ft)

Armament: eight 12.7mm (.50-caliber) M2 Browning machine guns; 1,134-kg of bombs; rockets.

Below, The P-47 Thunderbolts flying a sortie in the Pacific Theater.

Below, the P-47D version in late June 1944 in the skies over northern France.

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt attacking enemy ground forces in Europe (video).

 

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M3 Lee

The M3 Lee was a medium tank fielded by the United States, the British, and Canadian Army during the Second World War. Developed by Chrysler’s Detroit Tank Arsenal, it entered service in 1941. By the time it was introduced, its layout was rather obsolete compared to the German Panzer III and Panzer IV tank and it was fitted with underpowered guns. However, it was a mechanically reliable armored vehicle and very inexpensive to maintain. Although production of this tank had been stopped by late 1942, it was used until the end of the war.

The M3 Lee first saw combat action at the end of 1941 in North Africa in service with the British Army. Then it would also be used in the Italian Campaign in 1943, and in Normandy in 1944, but in limited numbers. By this time, most of them had already been replaced by the M4 Sherman. When World War II broke out in 1939, the US Army was equipped with the M2, which was an obsolete tank, fitted with a 37mm gun. Thus, the American Army developed the M3 but as a stopgap tank until a more modern and more combat efficient tank were designed and produced.

Technical Characteristics

The M3 Lee layout was radically differently from other tanks’ designs, such as the British Cruiser, the French AMC 35, and the German Panzer III and IV. This American medium tank had a very high profile, which made of it an easy target to spot on the horizon of the battlefield. It was equipped with two guns; a 75mm gun, which was mounted in the sponson on the right side of tank, and a 37mm gun, which was set up in a turret.

The driver sat on the centerline, which gave him a better field of observation, even though he was very exposed to enemy fire. To the left of driver, there were two fixed machine guns. Although the front side of hull (glacis plate) was sloped, the sides of the tank were almost vertical. On top of the 37mm gun turret, there was a rotating cupola that mounted a 7.62mm machine gun.

Specifications

Type: Medium tank

Weight: 27 tons

Length: 5.64 m (18 ft, 6 in)

Width: 2.72 m (8 ft, 11 in)

Height: 3.12 m (10 ft 3 in)

Power Plant: one Wright R975 EC2 400HP gasoline engine.

Maximum Speed: 42 km/h

Weapons: one 75mm gun; one 37mm gun; one 7.62mm machine gun.

Crew: 7

Below, the M3A1 Lee, which was cast in one piece.

Two M3 Lee medium tanks in service with the British Army in 1942

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Challenger 2

The Challenger 2 is the main battle tank of the British Army as it constitutes the backbone of its armored units. It was developed in the early 1990s, entering service in 1998. It first saw combat action in the Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003, being engaged in heavy fighting in the area around the city of Basra, in the southeast parts of that country. As of 2022, it will remain in service until 2025 without major upgrade, with a total of 227 combat-ready tanks.

From the armament, armor protection, and high-tech sensors point of view, it is at the same level of the German Leopard 2, the American Abraham M1A1, and the Russian T-90MS. However, it is no match for the Russian T-14 Armata. It is also considered to be a couple of notches below the new Panther KF51 German tank. Fifteen Challenger 2 MBTs are in a NATO military base in Estonia right now, poised near the Russian border.

Technical Characteristics

The Challenger 2 is protected by Chobham armor, Dorchester level 2, whose composing materials are classified information. According to some analysts, it would consist of special ceramic, tungsten and steel. Being thicker on the glacis plate at the front, these components cover all sides of the hull. The turret would be reinforced with reactive armor protection.

This is the only main battle tank to be fitted with a rifled-bore gun, instead of a smooth bore used in the Leopard 2 and in the Leclerc tanks; it is 120mm-caliber, L/55 (6.6-m long). It fires Sabot tungsten and depleted-uranium core, armor-piercing ammunition as well as High Exlposive Anti-Tank (HEAT) shells). Although it cannot fire anti-tank missiles, because it has a rifled bore, it has a higher muzzle velocity than the French Leclerc and the Abram’s tank gun.

Specifications

Manufacturer: Vickers Defense Systems

Weight: 65 tons

Hull Length: 8.3 m

Width: 3.5 m

Power Plant: Perkins V12, 1,200-HP Diesel Engine

Maximum Speed: about 45 km/h on rough terrain; 59 km/h on paved road.

Range: 550 km

Below, the Challenger 2 MBT in the English countryside in 1999

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Heinkel He 162

The Heinkel He 162, Salamander, was a WW2, German, turbojet fighter. Designed by Ernst Heinkel, it first flew on December 6, 1944. It entered service with the Luftwaffe on January 24, 1945. By mid February, 100 He 162A-2 aircraft had already been produced. Its first operational unit was the I/JG-1 (Jagdgeschwader-1), under the command of famous war ace Heinz Bär.

The Heinkel He 162 was used in combat for the first time on April 19, 1945. The German pilot of this jet fighter, Günther Kirchner, shot down a RAF Hawker Tempest aircraft. But later on the same day, the He 162 would be shot down by another Hawker Tempest as it was about to touch down on an airbase landing strip. At the end of the war, when the British Army forces closed in on the German airbases, the Jagdgeschwader-1 pilots surrendered and gave their jet aircraft over to the British.

Technical Characteristics

The Heinkel 162 was a single-seat, single-engine monoplane. It was fitted with straight shoulder wing and an all-metal fuselage. The 'V'-shaped tailplane had twin fins and the plane had a rather odd configuration as it was the first jet aircraft in history to have its engine mounted on top of the fuselage. It had retractable landing gear, with its wheels folding backwards. Its power plant consisted of one BMW 003E-1 axial-flow turbojet.

Specifications

Type: jet fighter

Length: 9.05 m (29 ft, 8 in)

Wingspan: 7.20 m (23.6 ft)

Wing Area: 11.20 square meters (120 sq. ft)

Height: 2.60 m (8 ft, 6 in)

Maximum Speed: 890 km/h (553 mph), using short burst extra thrust.

Range: 620 km (385 miles).

Weapons: two 20mm MG-151 cannons, set up in forward fuselage, with 120 rounds each.

Below, the Heinkel He 162 prototypes in December 1944

The Heinkel He 162A-2 fighter in service with the Jagdgeschwader 1 squadron of the Luftwaffe. Photo taken in late May 1945, right after the war.

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