Great Britain's Hawker Hurricane fighter

Though you wouldn't know it by many of the movies and TV series, but the Hawker Hurricane was instrumental in the winning of the Battle of Britain. The Spitfire may get all the glory but there were actually 26 squadrons outfitted with Hurricanes and on 19 with Spitfires. During the Battle of Britain almost 700 Hurricanes were lost.

Great Britain's Fairey Fulmar fighter

The Fairey Fulmar was first used with the convoy escorts going to Malta. Though not a high performance fighter aircraft in the traditional sense it was felt that the aircraft would need a navigator to make sure that the aircraft got back to its carrier.

Memorial Day

What is Memorial Day to the average person? A day off? Having friends over for a BBQ?
Growing up we never did anything special on this day as a family. My dad may have, in his own private way, remembered his comrades in arms that he fought with and those that died. But I'll never know as he didn't share any of that on this day.
As I got older and off to college and then into the working world of adults, it became a day off. The last one before school was out or before summer began. I knew what the day stood for but never really recognized it in any significant way.
Having this web site since 1999 has helped me to remember why this day is here. Mainly for our past veterans who died in the course of battle. To remember the sacrifices that they've made for the rest of use who haven't been in the military.
But I also think that in general it is a time to Memorialize those friends and family too that may no longer be with us. My brother passed away in a car accident when I was little so I never got to know him. My only grandparent that was still alive while I was growing up passed away, also when I was little. Though I got to know her more as she lived a house away from us so I visited her often. Even went to the hospital to cheer her up right before she passed away. My father died more recently, and he was one of those that this day is specifically for, a Vet. He was proud of his service with the Marines in World War II. He didn't like to talk much about it but he was deeply proud of it.
So stop, and take pause, remember those in your family, that are no longer be with you. Veteran or not. Remember. That is what they have left us, a legacy of memories that should never be forgotten.

Great Britain's Fairey Battle bomber

Based on their heavy losses in the Battle of France, the Fairey Battle bombers were relegated to being trainers.

Great Britain's Boulton Paul Defiant fighter

Another of the "odd ducks" of World War II, the Boulton Paul Defiant had a rear turret that contained four machine guns. It too was quickly found to be a poor design as a day fighter but did perform a little better as a night fighter.

Great Britain's Blackburn Skua dive bomber

The Blackburn Skua was a dive bomber in the Fleet Air Arm at the start of the war but by August 1941 it was relegated to secondary roles.

Great Britain's Blackburn Roc fighter

One of the oddest fighter designs of World War II, the Blackburn Roc was used by the Fleet Air Arm. However, once in combat, it was quickly found to be a design failure with the guns concentrated in the rear turret.

United States' Vultee P-66 Vanguard fighter

Apparently the Vultee P-66 Vanguard was originally ordered by Sweden, but the shipment was confiscated by the United States and many of the aircraft eventually ended up in China.

United States' Vultee Valiant trainer

Used by the Army and Navy as a basic trainer, the Vultee Valiant had over 11,000 manufactured.

United States' Vought SB2U Vindicator dive bomber

The Vought SB2U Vindicator was a dive bomber designed in the mid-1930s. It wasn't produced in great numbers and about the only battle it was involved in was the Battle of Midway. It was replaced by the Dauntless and relegated to training roles.