Category Archives: training

B-32 Dominator

Introduction to the Consolidated B-32 Dominator heavy bomber from the training manual: Airplane Commander Training Manual for the B-32 Dominator, AAF Manual 51-126-7, Headquarters Army Air Forces, 1945. The B-32’s Past The history of your B-32 Dominator starts in 1940, … Continue reading

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A-26 Upper Turret Angles

Diagram of the upper turret fire interruption angles for the A-26, from: Pilot’s Handbook for Army Models A-26B and A-26C Airplanes, AN 01-40AJ-1, August 1945, revised January 1946. This illustration shows the gunfire intercepting areas and the margins of interruption (approximately) and … Continue reading

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M4 Medium Tank Characteristics

Summary of M4 SHerman tank characteristics from the training booklet Tracked Vehicle Chassis Units, The Armored School, Fort Knox.   MEDIUM TANK, M4 SERIES  2. DESCRIPTION. a. Characteristics   Armament:     76-mm Gun, M1A1     2 cal .30 machine guns     1 cal … Continue reading

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12-Inch Mortar M1912

Description and characteristics of the 12-inch Mortar M1912 from TM 9-458: 12-inch Mortar M1912 Mounted on 12-inch Mortar Carriage M1896MIII, U.S. War Department Technical Manual, Washington, D.C., August 1942. 12-inch Mortar M1912 Mounted on 12-inch Mortar Carriage M1896MIII Characteristics. These 12-inch … Continue reading

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Buckingham I Aircraft Recognition

Buckingham I aircraft recognition from “Antiaircraft Artillery Notes,” No. 6, November 28, 1944. Subject: Aircraft Recognition Source: AA Section, Headquarters, Twelfth Army Group.   a. A new type medium bomber, the BUCKINGHAM I, is just becoming operational with the RAF. All AAA gunners in … Continue reading

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Cause and Effect

A cartoon shows the results of trying to circumvent the censor: from “Don’t Shoot the Censor,” Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin, February 1944. CAUSE AND EFFECT: Sailor drops letter into local mail-box (A) in foreign port. Letter slides down tube … Continue reading

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A-26 Invader Ditching Procedure

A-26 ditching procedure, from: Pilot’s Handbook for Army Models A-26B and A-26C Airplanes, AN 01-40AJ-1, August 1945, revised January 1946.  

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P-40 Pilot’s Ground Checks

Ground checks for the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk from Pilot Training Manual for the P-40, Headquarters, AAF, Office of Flying Staff, 1943. P-40 Pilot’s Ground Checks Before you get into your airplane, look it over closely. Walk around and inspect the … Continue reading

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SBD-3 Flying Characteristics

Basic flying characteristics of the SBD Dauntless from Pilot’s Handbook Model SBD-3, Douglas Aircraft, 1942. Flying Characteristics The model SBD-3 airplane is a single engine, low wing, monoplane, designed for dive bombing or scouting operations from either shore stations or … Continue reading

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M24 Light Tank Powertrain

Diagram of the powertrain of the M24 Chaffee light tank from the U.S. Army training booklet Tracked Vehicle Chassis Units, The Armored School, Fort Knox.  

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