Tag: Chino

The Survivors: Imperial Japanese Navy Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū Floatplane Fighter

Imperial Japanese Navy Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū aka “Rex” 562 floatplane fighter on display at the National Museum of the Pacific War in Fredericksburg, Texas (September 2019)

Designed during World War Two to provide air cover for Imperial Japanese forces deployed for amphibious beach landings in advanced locations that lacked prepared airstrips or aircraft carriers, the Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū (“Strong Wind” or “Mighty Wind” depending on the translation, Allied reporting code name “Rex”) floatplane fighter must have seemed a great idea to the Imperial Japanese… Read More The Survivors: Imperial Japanese Navy Kawanishi N1K Kyōfū Floatplane Fighter

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The Survivors: Mitsubishi J2M Raiden – The Last Japanese Thunderbolt

Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Jack) interceptor at the Planes of Fame Air Museum in Chino, California in 2013

One of the better fighter designs operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War Two but not built in enough numbers, was the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (“Thunderbolt” – Allied Code Name: Jack) land based interceptor used to attack Allied bombers such as the USAAF Boeing B-29 Superfortress. It was designed to be fast with… Read More The Survivors: Mitsubishi J2M Raiden – The Last Japanese Thunderbolt

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The Survivors: Seversky P-35 – In Pursuit Of Success

Seversky EP-106, designated J 9 in Swedish service (P-35A in the US) at the Swedish Air Force Museum in Malmen near Linköping

The Seversky P-35 single seat pursuit aircraft was developed in the 1930’s and became the first all-metal monoplane fighter with an enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear for the US Army Air Corps (USAAC). 77 P-35’s were ordered by the USAAC for delivery between 1937-38 (76 P-35’s were delivered and the 77th was converted to… Read More The Survivors: Seversky P-35 – In Pursuit Of Success

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The Survivors: Mitsubishi J8M Shusui – Imperial Japan’s Rocket Powered Interceptor

Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui rocket powered interceptor - the Japanese licence-built version of the Me-163 (Planes of Fame Museum in 2015)

Just as the Allies were keen to gather as much information as they could on German rocket and jet technology during World War Two, the Japanese were likewise seeking this very same technology to aid their war effort. Their need was out of desperation, being constantly pounded by Allied bombing raids and rapidly losing territory they… Read More The Survivors: Mitsubishi J8M Shusui – Imperial Japan’s Rocket Powered Interceptor

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Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Korean War Jet Fighters

F-86F Planes Of Fame 2015

Joining the piston engined warbirds in the Korean War (1950-1953) flying display at the Planes of Fame Airshow 2015 were a number of classic jets from that era including a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star two-seat trainers (developed from the Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter), a Canadian variant of the T-33 the Canadair CT-133 and a mighty North American F-86F Sabre.… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Korean War Jet Fighters

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Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Korean War Piston Engine Aircraft

Douglas A-1 Skyraider Planes of fame 2015

The warbirds just kept coming in the fantastic flying displays of the Planes of Fame Airshow 2015. Up next were military aircraft that flew during the Korean War era of 1950 to 1953 when the South Korean and United Nations forces clashed with the Communists of North Korea, China and secretly the USSR. Aircraft ranged from piston engine fighters to… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Korean War Piston Engine Aircraft

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Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Grumman F8F Bearcat

Commemorative Air Force Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat Planes of Fame Airshow 2015

A great flying demonstration by the Commemorative Air Force Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat was conducted at the Planes of Fame Airshow 2015. The story of the Bearcat, a former US Navy fighter is an interesting one in aviation history. Designed to counter any aircraft the Imperial Japanese Army and Navy may put into service, the Grumman F8F Bearcat was… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: Grumman F8F Bearcat

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Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: WW2 Pacific Theatre Warbirds

US Navy Planes of Fame 2015 Grumman F4F Widcat

Continuing the en masse warbird flying displays of the Planes of Fame Airshow 2015 were aircraft that flew in the Pacific Theatre of World War Two. These included a Douglas SBD Dauntless, Grumman F4F Wildcat, Grumman TBM Avenger, Imperial Japanese Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero and North American B-25 Mitchell. Former fighters of the US Navy naturally dominated the flying displays… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: WW2 Pacific Theatre Warbirds

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Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: WW2 European Theatre Warbirds

P-51A P-51C Mustang Planes of Fame Airshow 2015 Chino CA

There is never any shortage of warbird action at the Planes of Fame Airshow and 2015 showcased many European Theatre World War Two era aircraft including a Bell P-63 Kingcobra (mostly flown by the Soviets as it was seen as inferior to the P-51 Mustang by the USAAF), the Douglas C-47 Skytrain (Dakota) venerable transport,  Lockheed… Read More Planes of Fame Airshow 2015: WW2 European Theatre Warbirds

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