Brian R. Baker
Reviews By Author
|
Messerschmitt Bf-110C-6Published:
HistoryThe Messerschmitt Bf-110 series was originally designed as a long range escort fighter, and so much has been written about the type that I need not be repetitious. Preceded into production by the Bf-110B, which first appeared in 1938, the Bf-110C was the first major production model, followed by the “D”, “E”, “F”, and “G” variants. It was not particularly successful at the beginning of the war, as it was used against more nimble single seat fighters. Later in the war, it was used as a night fighter, where it was very successful and even outlived the aircraft intended to replace it. The Bf-110C was intended as a long range “zerstorer” (destroyer) aircraft, and various combinations of fuel tanks and armaments were tried over the years. The Bf-110C-6, the subject… more |
|
Wright R-3350 Duplex Cyclone Radial EnginePublished:
HistoryThe Wright R-3350 twin row radial engine started its development cycle in 1937, and the engine first flew on an airplane in 1941. It was an eighteen cylinder radial engine originally rated at 2200 hp, but later models with fuel injection produced over 3600 hp. Used in the Boeing B-29 during the war, the turbo-compound version developed after the war was used in various types of airliners, including the Lockheed Constellation and the Douglas DC-7. More recently, these engines have powered Reno-type air racers, notably Hawker Sea Furys and Grumman F8F Bearcats. Google lists many types of aircraft that used these engines, including many prototypes The KitThis is a very basic resin cast kit, consisting of three major components, the two… more |
|
RAF BE2 / BE2a / BE2b: Centenary Datafile 163Published:
HistoryThis book gives an extensive history of the BE2 biplanes acquired by the British military beginning in 1912. By the standards of the day, the BE2 was a very modern type, with wing warp lateral control, conventional biplane structure, and enough power provided by a 70 hp. Renault water cooled V-8 engine swinging a large wooden propeller. Unlike other contemporary types, the BE2 had an impressive performance, with a maximum speed of about 70 mph and a stalling speed of 32 mph., while most other types seemed to be only capable of full power flight at minimum speeds. Geoffrey DeHavilland designed the BE2, before specific missions for aircraft were considered, and the BE2 was found to be useful for cooperation with the Army, equipping several units. With the… more |
|
DeHavilland DH-112 Venom NF.3Published:
HistoryThe DeHavilland DH-112 Venom NF.3 was a night fighting development of one of the RAF’s original jet fighters, the DH-100 Vampire, which entered squadron service in 1949. Used as a fighter and ground attack aircraft, the Vampire was developed into the Venom fighter bomber with revised wing form and increased power, raising the maximum speed from the 540 mph. range to the 630 mph. range for the NF.3 variant. The crew sat side-by-side, and the wing had sweptback leading edges. A total of 129 Venom NF.3’s was built, and these were operated by several RAF squadrons starting in 1953 until they were replaced by Gloster Javalins in 1957. Several Venoms of various marks were exported to Sweden, New Zealand, Iraq, Switzerland, and Venezuela. The KitCyber-… more |
|
DeHavilland DH-82A Tiger MothPublished:
HistorySir Geoffrey DeHavilland began designing airplanes before World War I, and although his first effort, the No. 1 Biplane of 1909, crashed on its first flight, his subsequent designs all made up for his initial failure, and he went on to become one of the world’s foremost aircraft designers. His most famous product during World War I, the Airco DH-4 and later variants, became a mainstay in both military and civil aviation after the war, and by the mid twenties, his new company, DeHavilland Aircraft, was producing substantial numbers of the DH-60 Moth, a light biplane designed for training and touring. This was an open cockpit tandem type powered by a variety of engines, some designed in DeHavilland’s shops, and it served to establish DeHavilland’s reputation for… more |
|
Kosciuszko Albatros "Cooper"Published:
HistoryThe Albatros series of Biplane fighters, beginning with the D.I of 1916, became one of the standard German fighters of World War I. Initially powered by a 160 hp. Mercedes D.III engine, subsequent developments of the aircraft switched to a new wing arrangement, partially intended to improve pilot visibility, and partially to follow the example of the French Nieuport 17 series. The engines remained basically the same, although upgraded models produced 175 to 185 hp., improving performance somewhat. The D.IV reverted to the earlier wing, and was not produced, but the D.V had the “V-strut” wing and the 160/185 hp. Mercedes. The Austrian firm of Oeffag redesigned the D-III, eliminating the structural problems faced by nearly all Albatros fighters, and equipping… more |
|
Finland’s War of Choice: The Troubled German-Finnish Coalition in World War IIPublished:
HistoryFinland was in a very precarious position in the period leading up to the outbreak of World War II. Although a democracy, Finland was surrounded by two gigantic totalitarian states with vicious appetites for territorial expansion. With the Soviet paranoia regarding Nazi Germany’s desires to destroy the communist “workers’ paradise”, and German desires for expansion into Eastern Europe, Finland stood in the way of both countries’ ambitions. In 1939, the Nazis and the Soviets signed a Non-Aggression Pact, which secretly divided up Eastern Europe into “Spheres of Influence” for each country. The Soviets quickly swallowed up the Baltic republics, and later, in 1939, the Soviets attacked Finland in order to gain Finnish territory they felt was essential for the defense of… more |
|
Supermarine Spitfire Mk. Vb FloatplanePublished:
HistoryThe first real consideration of making floatplane fighters out of the Spitfire and Hurricane came during the 1940 Norwegian Campaign, and work began on both aircraft at that time. At the end of the campaign, development ended, and the Hurricane project was stopped. Known as the “Narvik Nightmare”, the Spitfire project languished until just before Pearl Harbor, when work was reinstated, this time with the Mk. Vb airframe. This time, instead of Blackburn Roc floats, specially designed Supermarine floats were used, along with additions to the vertical fin to offset the aerodynamic effects of the floats. The result was a highly successful conversion, with excellent flying and water handling characteristics. In fact, it turned out to be the fastest floatplane fighter of… more |
|
Aces of Jagdstaffel 17Published:
Jagdstaffel 17, better known as Jasta 17, was one of the premier German fighter squadrons of World War I. It began as Kampfstaffel Metz, and later became known as Jasta 17. Although not as famous some of the other units, it nevertheless produced its share of aces, and three of its members were knights of the Orden Pour le Merite, holders of the coveted Blue Max. Julius Buckler, with 35 confirmed victories, was the highest scoring ace of Kampfstaffel Metz. Other standouts included Oblt Bruno Loerzer, Hermann Goring, Jacob Wolff (who was 48 years old when he scored his last victory, and was also Jewish), Vzfw Christian Donhauser, and a number of others who either transferred in and out of the unit, or served briefly until becoming casualties. Although this book… more |
|
Gloster J-8A/Gladiator Mk. IIPublished:
HistoryMuch has been written about the Gloster Gladiator, and information is available everywhere, so this sketch will be understandably brief. The Gladiator was designed to a 1930 Air Ministry specification, and the prototype first flew in 1934. A development of the Gloster Gauntlet, the Gladiator differed in having more power and an enclosed cockpit, along with other aerodynamic improvements. The initial production order was for 23 aircraft, but eventually a total of 378 Gladiators was built between 1936 and 1937. An improved version, designated Gladiator Mk. II, has a three bladed fixed pitch Fairey-Reed metal prop and detail differences. 270 Mk. II’s were built between 1938 and 1940, when production ended. Gladiators were active wherever the RAF operated at the… more |