WW II IJN Float Plane models
Mitsubishi F1M2 Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane (Allied code name Pete) model (note that yellow livery indicates a training aircraft)—Joseph May/ Travel for Aircraft
Mitsubishi F1M2 Type Zero Reconnaissance Seaplane (Allied code name Pete) model—Joseph May/ Travel for Aircraft
The WW II Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) plan for controlling the western Pacific Ocean—with its vast expanses of water as well innumerable islands—included long-range strikes and night combat with reconnaissance (as always) the key to success. The IJN did not have logistical or building techniques for rapid airstrip or airfield construction hence the IJN’s impetus to have so many flying boats and float plane designs.
Unfortunately for historians, as well as the historically interested, few if any of these aircraft survived the war. In these images we thank model kit manufacturers and model kit builders for bringing these aircraft to life in three dimensions. Their skill in eliminating imperfections as well as weathering effects enable the rest of us to view that which can no longer be seen.
Kawanishi N1K1 Kyofu (Allied code name Rex) model—Joseph May/ Travel for Aircraft
These models, and many more of this superior quality, are displayed at the Wings Over Miami Museum.
Flying From the Black Hole: the B-52 Navigator-Bombardiers of Vietnam, Robert O. Harder, 2009, ISBN 978-1-59114-359-9, 299 pp.
Flying From the Black Hole: the B-52 Navigator-Bombardiers of Vietnam by Robert O. Harder with cover design by Chris Gamboa-Onrubia
Harder has written a book far beyond its title indicates. To be sure, he describes the duty of the navigator-bombadier which was detailed and salient to mission accomplishment as they assisted their B-52 pilots in getting to a specific points within 15 second time windows—whether for refueling rendezvous or IP. Harder well describes the meaning of these 15 second windows, errors of palming staff, procedures for when equipment fails, the importance of the 3 x B-52 cell, why the B-52D was better in Vietnam than the B-52G and much more.
The reader certainly learns what it was like flying the B-52 in combat missions over Vietnam.
The reader also learns about the Arc Light and Linebacker missions—placing them into the context of the war effort better than most historians which have written of them. His writing is fresh, well written and deep;y thought out. Harder has the overview of a philosopher alloyed with the experienced combat veteran—it is a potent, unusual combination and one to be enjoyed.
The reader certainly learns what the prosecution and evolution of the Arc Light and Linebacker missions were like as well as their legacies.
Seaplanes Interpreted
Cessna Caravan flown by Cape Air—image by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Cessna Caravan flown by Cape Air—image by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver flown by Miami Seaplane Tour—image by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver flown by Miami Seaplane Tour—image by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Privately owned Glass Air Sportsman GS-2—image by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Seaplanes Over Miami
Miami has at least two seaplane operations with Cape Air operating from the Miami Seaplane Base (MPB) and Miami Seaplane Tours based from a dock on Virginia Key. Cape Air aircraft are Cessna Caravans on amphibious floats and taxi onto/from Government Cut using the ramp at MPB. Miami Seaplane aircraft is a venerable de Havilland DHC-2 Beaver and a Cessna 172—both on fixed floats.
Cape Air Cessna Caravan Flight 1538 on approach to Miami Seaplane Base—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Cape Air Cessna Caravan on approach to Miami Seaplane Base (note the main gear wheel wells just aft of the float steps)—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Cape Air Cessna Caravan on approach to Miami Seaplane Base with Rickenbacker Causeway and SoBe in view (Miami Seaplane Base is in the lower right)—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Cape Air Cessna Caravan on final to land in Government Cut (note the ramp at MPB, lower left)—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Cape Air Cessna Caravan making a water borne landing—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
De Havilland DHC-2 Beaver operated by Miami Seaplane Tour flying north along Biscayne Bay—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
De Havilland DCH-2 Beaver operated by Miami Seaplane Tour—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Glassier Sportsman GS-2 in grey stripes no less—photo by Joseph May:Travel for Aircraft
Intrepid Woman: Betty Lussier’s Secret War, 1942–1945, Betty Lussier, 2010, ISBN 978-1-59114-449-6, 222 pp.
Intrepid Woman: Betty Lussier’s Secret War, 1942–1945 by Betty Lussier with jacket design by Chris Gamboa-Onrubia
Betty Lussier is quite the woman, aviator and intelligence officer.
She flew as a ferry pilot for Great Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) during World War II. Her recounting of training as well as flying all manner of aircraft is as exciting as it is educational. Adventures, near misses, tragedy and boredom—her writing has the reader vicariously experience them all.
Alas for Betty Lussier, but not the United States, the ATA reneged on its promise to allow their female pilots to ferry flight on the continent after the invasion of Europe. She did not wish to remain well behind the front and took the opportunity to join in a newly formed agency—the OSS, forerunner of the CIA—to get there. Lussier does so well to have readers experience her life at the time. The confusion, adventure, rolling up spy rings, how Nazi Germany operated spies in recently lost territories—the details only a person who was there can know.
Betty Lussier has an exciting life and her trials and triumphs during the 1942–1945 years are premier. Her writing style flows in a smooth and lively though intimate style making her book a wonderful one for readers of nearly all levels.
Rankin Aeronautical Academy mural by Colleen Veyna—Nick Veronico image
Thanks to Nick Veronico—author of many books—we have the awareness of Colleen Veyna’s mural tribute to the Rankin Aeronautical Academy and its star pupil, Ira Bong. The effort to train pilots during World War II was huge and fostered 62 contracted flying schools with Rankin Aeronautical Academy training 1.4 million students in primary flight training. Our thanks to Nick for this find in Tulare CA! Place his name in the search box to see reviews of his recent books—all thoroughly enjoyable.
Rankin Aeronautical Academy mural by Colleen Veyna showing top USAAF WW II ace Richard “Dick” Ira Bong and his P-38 “Marge”—Nick Veronico image
Rankin Aeronautical Academy mural by Colleen Veyna—Nick Veronico image
Rankin Aeronautical Academy mural by Colleen Veyna—Nick Veronico image
Rankin Aeronautical Academy mural by Colleen Veyna (the website now has another URL which is http://veynadesignstudios.com/index.html)—Nick Veronico image
Happy Birthday USA!
The American flag waves—DoD photo by Army Staff Sgt. Sean K. Harp
USN SeAL Leap Frogs on a tethered flag jump—U.S. Navy image by James Woods
Fireworks over Ford Island HI—U.S. Navy image Mass Comm Spec 2nd Class Laurie Dexter
Special Warfare Operator 1st Class Trevor Thompson, member of the U.S. Navy Parachute Team “The Leap Frogs,” presents the American flag—U.S. Navy photo by Jim Woods
EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography
EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography, Hal Bryan/James P. Busha/Dick Knapinski, 2016, ISBN 978-0-7603-5184-0, 244 pp.
EAA Oshkosh: the Best Photography by Hal Bryan, James P. Busha & Dick Knapinski
Oshkosh. Magical. Military aircraft. Historic aircraft. Inventive aircraft. Homebuilt aircraft and mass produced aircraft. And all of it flying 🙂
EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography is the book to get for EAA Oshkosh history, culture and amazement—all through top-of-the-line photos and crisp, refreshing and intuitive writing. The air-to-air images are the most populus though all the photos, whether shot from an accompanying aircraft, from on high or down low are One-A. The life and culture that is Oshkosh is also lovingly treated and sets the book apart from its kin.
Historical, unique, oddball and inventive images of aircraft show aviation’s history as well as spectrum. Warbirds, seaplanes, utralights, autogyros and others fill the pages between the covers with most from the USA but many from other countries refreshingly presented as well.
Everyone’s favorite aircraft is likely present in EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography. The Lockheed Hudson to the Supermarine Seafire, the Short Bros. Sunderland to the Lockwood Drifter. The Republic Seabee to the Fairey Gannet. And so many, many more!
EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography is cozy in size though large in impact. Literally dozens upon dozens of aircraft are included with amazing photography. The writing and insights are inspirational and allow vicariously experiencing this grand aviation event—including not to be repeated visits of some aircraft. The scope of beautiful writing and world-class images, by well over a dozen world-class photographers and three top tier authors, mark this book as destined for anyone’s library or wish list.
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Zenith Press provided a copy of EAA Oshkosh: the Best Airventure Photography, as is the publishing custom, for an objective review.
Unusual Falcon
A Polish Air Force F-16D Fighting Falcon aircraft taxis at Lask Air Base, Poland (note the conformal fuel tank on the side of the fuselage above the wing as well as the dorsal rectangular section added atop the fuselage)—DoD photo by Tech Sgt Kenya Shiloh
The French
A French Air Force Rafale fighter aircraft backs away after refueling from a USAF KC-135 Stratotanker over Africa—U.S. Air Force photo by Capt Jason Smith
A French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000 fighter breaks formation after refueling from a U.S. Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker over Mali—DoD photo by 1st Lt Christopher Mesnard
A French Mirage 2000D aircraft receiving fuel from a U.S Air Force KC-135 Stratotanker aircraft over Iraq—U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt Corey Hook
A U.S. Marine Corps KC-130J Super Hercules (with one of the best photography platforms ever) refuels a French Air Force Dassault Mirage 2000-5 fighter over Djibouti—U.S. Air Force photo by Tech Sgt. Joseph McKee
Travel for Aircraft 