German Z-26 Destroyer

New naval kit in 1/350th-scale from Dragon Models: No. 1064: German Z-26 Destroyer. The German Zerstörer 1936A-class destroyers were referred to as Narvik class by the Allies.

German Z-26 Destroyer

 

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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 the Theater should be on the lookout for this aircraft. 

b. The following information is available on the BUCKINGHAM I:

(1) Type: Twin-engine medium bomber (British).
(2) Manufacturer: Bristol.
(3) Engines: Two Bristol Centaurus.
(4) Wing span: 71′ 0″.
(5) Length: 46′ 6″.
(6) Armament: Forward – 4 x .303
                    Top – 4 x .303
                    Bottom – 2 x .303
(7) Description:
 

(a) Head on view – A flat mid-wing monoplane, with rectangular shaped fuselage. Two engines, underslung. Dual fin and rudder, outboard of engine nacelles.

(b) Plan view – Two engine nacelles extending almost as far forward as nose of aircraft. Nacelles protrude beyond trailing-edge of wing slightly. Wing is swept back and slightly tapered with rounded tips. Tailplane is long, straight, with square tips.

(c) Side view – Top and underside line of fuselage broken with gun blisters. Oval-shaped fin and rudder.

c. Silhouette views of BUCKINGHAM I are shown in Incl. 1. 

Bristol Buckingham Aircraft

 

 

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M39 .50 Cal. Pedestal Mount

Illustration of the M39 pedestal mount for the .50 caliber machine gun. (Source: TM 9-230: Machine Gun Mounts for Boats, War Department Technical Manual, October 1943.)

Figure 1—Cal. .50, Machine Gun, Pedestal Mount M39, with Aircraft Machine Gun

Figure 1—Cal. .50, Machine Gun, Pedestal Mount M39, with Aircraft Machine Gun

 

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M1 57mm Anti-tank Gun Kit

Riich.Models has announced a new 1/35th-scale WWII anti-tank gun release: RV 35020: U.S. M1 57mm Anti-tank Gun on M2 carriage (Late Version). The M1 served as the standard towed anti-tank gun of the U.S. infantry divisions and over 10,000 guns were manufactured during WWII.

m1-57mm-antitank-gun

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M10 Tank Destroyer Ammunition

Illustration of the shell labels and markings for the ammunition of the M10 tank destroyer 3-inch main gun. Source: TM 9-731G: 3-Inch Gun Motor Carriage M10A1, War Department Technical Manual, July 1943.

m10-td-main-gun-ammunition

m10-td-ammunition-shell

 

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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

CAUSE AND EFFECT: Sailor drops letter into local mail-box (A) in foreign port. Letter slides down tube into room (B) and is thoroughly read by Nazi agent, who then slips it through slot into trouble-distilling apparatus (C). Burning letter boils witch’s brew (D), causing thermometer (E) to rise rapidly. Janitor (F) starts down basement stairs to fix furmace, stepping on teeter-totter (G) and catapulting projectile into loading chute (H) of gun (I), which is swung into position by secret range finder (J). Gun is fired and eliminates letter writer (K). Next of kin will now hear about him after all.

 

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M25 40-ton Tank Transporter Truck-Trailer

Description and performance data for the M26 armored tractor from TM 9-767: 40-Ton Tank Transporter Truck-Trailer M25, War Department Technical Manual, U.S. War Department, February 1944. The M25 Tank Transporter, nicknamed the “Dragon Wagon,” was a heavy tank transporter and tank recovery vehicle used by the U.S. Army during World War II.

40-TON TANK TRANSPORTER TRUCK-TRAILER M25

DESCRIPTION.

a. The 40-ton, Tank Transporter Truck-trailer M25 is designed for use in recovering a piece of damaged materiel and transporting it to a place where necessary repairs can be accomplished. The M25 unit consists of the tractor truck (M26) and semitrailer (M15), the semitrailer being coupled to the tractor by means of a fifth wheel on the tractor, which automatically locks the trailer to the tractor. Air brakes on the trailer wheels and lighting equipment on the trailer are connected to the tractor air and lighting systems by means of air hose and a jumper cable (carried on the trailer). The trailer air brakes and lights are controlled by the driver of the tractor. The trailer air brakes are automatically set in case the trailer is accidentally, or purposely, disconnected from the tractor.

40-ton-tank-transporter-dragon-wagon

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Dragon Panzerkampfwagen T34-747(r)

Dragon Models has announced a new release depicting a captured Russian T-34 in German service: Item No: 6449: Panzerkampfwagen T34-747(r). The model kit includes the Rommelkist turret bin added to many captured T-34s by the Germans.

panzerkampfwagen-T34-747(r)

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ICM Maultier Halftrack Ambulance

ICM has announced a 1/35th-scale kit depicting a German Maultier halftrack ambulance from WWII: No. 35414 – V3000S/SS M Maultier with Shelter (WWII German Ambulance Truck).

V3000S/SS M Maultier with Shelter (WWII German Ambulance Truck)

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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.

a26-invader-ditching

 

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