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H i s t o r y
IL-2 - Black Death! |
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Sturmovik, Stormovik, Shturmovik? Confused? We couldn't have the release of 1C: Maddox Game's IL-2 Sturmovik without Jim "Twitch" Tittle giving us the historical lowdown on this rugged, all-purpose, highly versatile, and mass-produced (36,163!) aircraft.
Truly an amazing machine, the IL-2s came in countless variations for almost any purpose you could imagine: air-to-air, air-to-ground, even air-to-sea. What's more, it truly was an equal opportunity weapon as many Russian women became air combat aces in Mr. Sergei Iluyshin's design.
Stalin compared it to "bread and air" as a vital need by the infantryman. Will the forthcoming IL-2 Sturmovik flight simulation title be able to virtually mimic its historical counterpart in its destructive ferocity? We certainly hope so.
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Preview: History: Fiction
IL-2 Sturmovik |
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Ever the innovator, Len "Viking1" Hjalmarson blends a preview of 1C: Maddox Games' World War II Russian air combat simulation IL-2 Sturmovik with a bit of real military history and a fictionalized air combat engagement to boot.
In the history department, Len tells us of the renowned exploits of Russian pilot Nikolay Terekhin. Then, Viking1 uses his preview copy of IL-2 Sturmovik to recreate Terekhin's suicidal figter tactics himself on a group of Luftwaffe bombers. He then recounts his experience in a fictional narrative that'll make you think you were really there with him. Now this is what immersion in a combat simulation is all about.
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H i s t o r y
After A Year At War |
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Though a world war raged abroad and everyone's lifestyle at home was changed, there was still escape and wonderment from magazines like Mechanix Illustrated.
In this week's historical piece, Jim "Twitch" Tittle, shows us some of the leading-edge ideas for military weapons and vehicles that were popping up in periodicals a year into World War II.
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H i s t o r y
Dutch's Progeny |
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It flew fast—490 M.P.H.! It could fly high—40,000 feet! It could cruise far—2,000 miles! It was armed with—golf clubs and skis?
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H i s t o r y
WWI Wildman Charles Nungesser |
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In this week's historic retrospective, Jim "Twitch" Tittle brings us the incredible story of WWI pilot, Captain Charles Eugene Nungesser. Here's a real-life hero whose actual exploits if written into an Indiana Jones movie would have to be cut for being too over-the-top! What's more, no amount of physical damage or exuberant night life could keep Charles Nungesser out of the air. They sure don't make 'em like this anymore.
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H i s t o r y
James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson, RAF |
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Britain's most successful fighter ace of the Second World War, who was initially rejected by the air force, has died at the age of 85. Air Vice-Marshal Johnnie Johnson notched up a record 38 confirmed kills on his way to becoming the RAF's "Top Gun".
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H i s t o r y
Secret Weapons of the Luftwaffe |
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No, the great Lucasfilms combat sim of yesteryear is not back, though we wish it were. Beyond the well-known German secret weapons like the V-1 and V-2 are a host of lesser-known innovations that deserve a look. How about a rocket that could hit New York or the U-2's grandfather that could reach 83,000 feet? Jim "Twitch" Tittle takes you on a fascinating look at some amazing weapons of WWII.
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M i l i t a r y H i s t o r y
Japanese Ace Saburo Sakai |
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With over sixty kills as a World War II pilot, Sakai was considered a master of the art, even though he suffered a devastating injury during a dog fight late in the war. As Jim "Simdoktor" Tittle explains in this fascinating overview of Sakai's accomplishments, that injury may have saved his life.
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H i s t o r y
STEEL CASKETS: U-Boat Weapons, Men, and Myths |
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With Silent Hunter's release date on the horizon, we thought it high time for one of Jim "Twitch" Tittle's historical retrospectives. Join Jim in an overview of some of the weapons, men, and myths of the German U-boats of WWII.
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H i s t o r y
The B-17 - A Historical Perspective |
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On an overcast June morning, Joe Highman embarked on a journey that is becoming all too rare. He had the wonderful fortune to take a one-hour flight in the "Yankee Lady", one of the twelve remaining airworthy B-17 Flying Fortresses.
The B-17 - A Historical Perspective
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WWII History
by By Jim "Twitch" Tittle Gun Kills II
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Being a red-hot fighter pilot, however, was absolutely no use to him as he lay shivering in the Czechoslovakian forest. He knew he would die if he didn't get some food and shelter soon.
The Hard Way Home
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WWII History
by permission The Hard Way Home
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Being a red-hot fighter pilot, however, was absolutely no use to him as he lay shivering in the Czechoslovakian forest. He knew he would die if he didn't get some food and shelter soon.
The Hard Way Home
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WWII History
by Permission Hell's Angels
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The 303rd Bomb Group first went into action on November 17, 1942. Following a feverish night of activity during which all traffic to and from the base was halted, the few bombers on hand took off with a load of bombs for St. Nazaire.
17 November, 1942: Hell's Angels
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WWII History
by Permission Facing Flak in the B17 Flying Fortress
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This story was originally sent to Central of the 773rd Hostiles by one of the American Heroes from W.W.II, Willard "HAP" Reese: pilot of a B17 flying fortress. This article has been reposted here by permission of the 773rd Hostiles and Chuck "Creamo" Kremer.
Facing Flak in the B17
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WWII History
by Dillon "Jazz" Poole The Birth of the Luftwaffe's Sturm Units
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The origin of Sturm tactics can be traced back to Reichmarschall Hermann Goering's insistence that Reich defense units should start ramming bombers as a last resort. Although German Sturm units weren't tasked with ramming bombers exclusively, it was one of the many tactics employed.
The Sturm Units
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WWII History
by Jim "Twitch" Tittle Bloody Thursday
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Two months later the Mustangs would have made a difference. Four months later there would have been four P-51B groups with men like Don Blakeslee, Glen Eagleston and Don Gentile to watch out for their Big Friends. The carnage would have never happened.
Bloody Thursday
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WWII History Aircraft
by Jim "Twitch" Tittle B24 Liberator
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Always recognized, but never as well known as the B-17 was the fate of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. This excellent bomber took to the air in late 1939, four and one half years after the fabled Flying Fortress prototype.
B24 Liberator
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WWII History Reflections
by Jack Morgan, USAAF Attitudes in Conflict
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In all my years as an Army Air Force pilot in World War Two, I do not ever remember hearing a fighter pilot say, “Darn, I wanted to be a bomber pilot and they stuck me in these doggone fighters.”
Attitudes in Conflict
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WWII History Air Combat
The Effect of the P51
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This paper deals with the contributions of the P-51 Mustang to the eventual victory of the Allies in Europe during World War II. It describes the war scene in Europe before the P-51 was introduced, traces the development of the fighter, its advantages, and the abilities it was able to contribute to the Allies' arsenal.
Effects of the P51
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WWII History Air Combat
B17 Navigator's Diary
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I was copilot on a B-17 and my navigator, Norman K. Andrew, or Andy as we called him, had superlative skills. Andy was 28; I was only 22. He was from
Houston and loved to talk about his days in the oil
drilling tool business. Fortunately, I was a good listener.
Navigator's Diary
Navigator's Diary Part II
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WWII History Naval Combat
by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson Trident Research and the Type XIb
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One of the greatest discoveries of our century may soon be completed, unravelling the mystery behind the Type XIb U-boat and certain political intrigues at the close of WWII.
Cape Cod Discovery
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Military History B r i e f i n g
by Jim "Twitch" Tittle Gun Kills
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"There was a tremendous urge to drop your nose and eyeball the guy but instinct takes over and you shoot him without seeing him." Jack Thornell on firing in a turn when the nose of your plane is leading the enemy and actually blocks him from view.
Gun Kills Part I
Gun Kills Part II
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Air Combat I n t e r v i e w
by Leonard "Viking1" Hjalmarson Jack Morgan, CAF
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While at the Air Museum in Ontario, CA in October I had a chance to meet Jack Morgan. Jack is a member of the Confederate Air Force and is a veteran P47 pilot. An unassuming man with a ready smile, he agreed to an interview.
Jack Morgan Interview
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Air Combat F e a t u r e
RAF Slang
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You don't know the difference between a "Bus driver" and a Bomphleteer, but you're hoping that the fan on your kite doesn't take flak, lest the Brass become browned-off. Time to check out our RAF glossary!
RAF Slang
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History: Battle of Britain II
Pilot Officer Witold Urbanowicz, 145 Hurricane Sqn.
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Part I is the account of Witold Urbanowicz's first sortie in the Battle, and his first hard-won victory. Part II continues with the stories of other Polish fighter pilots in the Battle of Britain.
Battle of Britain I
Battle of Britain II
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Air Combat F e a t u r e
Spitfire Links
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Spitfire-museum.com is the official Internet site for the Spitfire & Hurricane Memorial at RAF Manston in Kent. It has links to pages giving information about the Memorial, its major exhibits and the closely related RAF Manston History Club. The Memorial and this Web site are dedicated to the pilots and aircrew who gave so much to preserve freedom in the dark days of World War II.
Spitfire Museum
The Supermarine Spitfire
New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum
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WWII B i o g r a p h y
by Jim "Twitch" Tittle Splash Nine!
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The statistics are unbelievable if you look at it. The six
fifties each averaged 44 rounds fired, times the six guns.
That's 266 rounds per plane. If you do it nine times you've used
up your 2,400 rounds and bagged nine Japanese aircraft.
Splash Nine!
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R e l a t e d A r t i c l e s
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