United States' Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan transport

The Curtiss-Wright C-76 Caravan was primarily made of plywood. It never left the prototype stage.

United States' Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat

The Consolidated PBY Catalina was a popular patrol flying boat and used by all the major Allies in World War II.
Many were still being used into the 1960s.

United States' Boeing XPBB-1 Sea Ranger flying boat

Initially the United States Navy accepted the Boeing XPBB-1 but changed its mind by concentrating on other flying boats for production.

United States' Boeing AT-15 Crewmaker trainer

As the 1930s were coming to an end the United States saw the looming war and aircraft were needed to train crews. 1,000 of the Boeing AT-15 Crewmaker were ordered, but once the war started, for the United States, the order was cancelled.

Italy's Savoia-Marchetti SM.83 transport

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.83 transport could carry 10 passengers.

Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.82 Canguru medium bomber

The Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 Canguru was mainly used as a transport but could also be used as a bomber.
It broke several long distance records in the 1930s.

Italy's Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello bomber

Though not as numerous as the SM.79 the Savoia-Marchetti S.M.81 Pipistrello was still being used into the early 1950s by the Italians. The S.M.81 was often used as a night bomber.

Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 medium bomber

The Savoia-Marchetti S.M.79 was the main bomber for the Regia Aeronautica. Around 1,300 were produced starting in 1936. They suffered heavy losses and by the time of the Italian surrender there were only 36 left.

Savoia-Marchetti SM.75 Marsupiale (marsupial) transport

The Sovoia-Marchetti SM.75 was a 24 passenger civilian transport. It's design eventually led to the SM.79 bomber.

City of Life and Death movie review

I haven't done reviews of movies relating to World War II before, maybe I should.
I finished watching the Chinese movie City of Life and Death about the Rape of Nanking by the Japanese military in 1937 this morning.
We may never truly know that absolute horror that was inflicted upon the Chinese people by the Japanese in Nanking but this movie will give you some feel for what happened.
City of Life and Death shows both sides, Japanese soldiers and Chinese soldiers and civilians. We follow a couple of key characters and according to the credits one of the children portrayed is still alive.
What I can never understand is how Japan, who claims to be such an advanced and enlightened country can perpetrate such unspeakable horrors. All throughout World War II you can see what soldiers did to civilians in the conquered countries and to the soldiers who surrendered or were captured.
Now I know how so often people say the Japanese were following their "Bushido Code" of honor, as if that would excuse their behavior, just as the Nazi's tried to excuse their behavior as "following orders." Well I sure know what a crock of crap that is. Your actions are your actions and no one else's.
What would poses soldiers to take captured Chinese soldiers and bury them alive up to their necks? Honor! F that!
Then the absolute depravity of using Chinese women as prostitutes for the Japanese soldiers because they were becoming uncontrollable! Another lame excuse.
Obviously this movie has stirred up a lot of anger and indignation in me and I hope that if you watch it too you to will be affected in some way!

Italy's Macchi C. 100 flying boat

The Macchi C. 100 was a civilian transport plane that could carry 26 passengers. I don't know if it was used by the Italian military or not.

Germany's Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor reconnaissance bomber

I am very honored to add a picture of the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor by Simon Atack.
Please visit his web site for other great artwork by him.

Italy's Caproni Ca. 133 bomber

The Caproni Ca. 133 was another aircraft that started out as a civilian transport. The military used it as a bomber and troop transport.
It followed the design of many Italian aircraft of having three engines.

Italy's Caproni Ca. 101 Colonial bomber

The Caproni Ca 101 Colonial bomber was designed in the 1920s.

Italy's CANT Z. 1012 transport

The CANT Z. 1012 was a transport that was primarily used by the Italian government.

Italy's Cant Z.1007 medium bomber

One of the better bombers that the Italians fielded was the CANT Z. 1007. It could carry 2,200 lbs of bombs internally.

Italy's Cant Z.509 floatplane

The CANT Z.509 floatplane was a slightly larger version of the CANT Z.506 and with bigger engines.

Italy's Cant Z.506B floatplane

The CANT Z. 506B floatplane was a civilian transport before it became a military bomber and torpedo bomber for the Italian military.

Germany's Junkers Ju 52 transport

The Junkers Ju 52 was the main transport for the German military. It started out in the early 1930s and served throughout World War II.

Germany's Dornier Do 24 flying boat

The Dornier Do 24 was used by Axis and Allied countries in World War II. Crews liked the Do 24 as it was a very sturdy aircraft.

Germany's Blohm und Voss Bv 138 reconnaissance flying boat

The Blohm und Voss Bv 138 was developed in the mid 1930s. Many were used to find the convoys in the North Atlantic.

Japan's Kawanishi H6K flying boat

As Japan had wide spread territories that it need to cover a long range flying boat was needed, enter the Kawanishi H6K.
As it was a flying boat it didn't need an airstrip to land.

Hiro H-97 flying boat??

Here's one for you, the Hiro H-97 flying boat, did it even exist? I've only found it mentioned in the Spotters' Handbook so it may not. Anyone have any actual photos?

Italy's Piaggio P.108 heavy bomber

The Piaggio P.108 was Italy's only four engine heavy bomber designed and built during World War II.
They were used in the Mediterranean and on the Eastern Front with what few remained in 1943 being taken over by the Germans.

France's Loire-Olivier LeO 246 flying boat

The LeO 246 was a large passenger and cargo flying boat used for civilian use before the fall of France.

Germany's Junkers Ju 90 transport

The Junkers Ju 90 was used by Lufthansa and South African Airways in the mid 1930s. The design was upgraded to the Ju 290 which was used for reconnaissance during World War II.