Eyes to the Skies @british-eevee - Tumblr Blog

The Northrop F-89 Scorpion has to be the most metal interceptor ever made! Just look at it, it uses the wingtip fuel tanks for carrying weapons, from rockets to retractable launchers for air-to-air missiles.

Plus it’s anachronism incarnate, a highly advanced combat jet that somehow decided to play it safe and keep the straight wing from the propeller-era combat aircraft of a few years prior.

british-eevee

American Fighters used at D-Day

P-51 Mustang

On D-Day the P-51 was used in multiple combat rules these included ground support of troops, interception and escorting the bombers and transport planes across the channel to France.

P-47 Thunderbolt

Due to the P-47 being one hell of a tank of a plane during D-Day it mainly operated as a ground strike plane as it could carry a heavy load of rockets and a few light bombs in order to take care of ground forces.

P-38 Lightning

During D-Day the P-38 provided fighter cover for the invasion fleet against any possible threat from the Luftwaffe.

usaac-official

9th Fighter Squadron P-40s at 30 Mile Strip, New Guinea

bantarleton

Typhoon fighter decked out in a classic Spitfire paint job.

british-eevee

German Fighters Used At D-Day

FW-190 A-8

The FW-190 A-8 was the first of the two main fighters in the Luftwaffe that went to respond to the attack, this fighter would go on to struggle with the allied fighters over northern France.

Bf-109 G

First on the offensive in the Battle of Britain now the Bf-109 was on the defense as it tried to hold back the allied air forces as they forced their way into German held lands, the Bf-109 would go on to join the FW-190 as they tried to keep what German air power was left over France.

british-eevee

American Bombers Used At D-Day

B-17 Flying Fortress

The B-17 bomber was involved in the D-Day invasion on the 6th of June 1944, the role of the B-17 on D-Day was to soften up the the beaches and the surrounding areas so that it would be easier for the landing to troops to get onto the beaches.

B-24 Liberator

Similar to the B-17 the B-24 has the capability to carry a big bomb load which it used to soften up the German defenses in France for D-Day landings. The B-24 also escorted the invasion fleet before departing for bombing runs (as seen in the pic below).

B-25 Mitchell

The B-25 Mitchell accompanied the other bombers in the hop across the channel and performed a similar role to the other bombers in weakening German defenses.

B-26 Marauder

The B-26 was a fast medium bomber and on D-Day it performed bombing runs on northern France. the B-26 also accompanied the invasion fleet over the channel for extra cover.

nimbushobby

Douglas C-47 Skytrain

british-eevee

C-47 Skytrain A Hero Of D-Day

Over 800 C-47 transport planes took part part in the invasion of Normandy on the 6th of June 1944 these planes transported thousands of troops over the channel to get behind the lines of the Germans in Normandy. The most famous of the troops being dropped across the channel was the 101st Airborne the screaming eagles who were dropped behind lines on the day and achieved all their objectives and managed to link up with the 82nd Airborne.

We must remember on this day the brave pilots who managed to get across the channel and over France so that they could drop the troops that would help us win the war in Europe.

british-eevee

British Fighters Used At D-Day

Hawker Tempest V

The Hawker Tempest V was a very capable fighter for both intercepting enemy planes as well as performing ground strikes on enemy positions. On D-Day the Tempest performed well in both roles taking out enemy fighters such as the FW-190.

Spitfire Mk IX

The Spitfire took part in the D-Day invasion for fighter interception and cover of invasion fleet. The Spitfire was also capable of holding small bomb loads which it would drop on enemy positions.

Hawker Hurricane IIC

Armed with 4x 20mm cannons the Hurricane IIC was armed and ready aid in covering and intercepting any fighters that may engage the invasion fleet

british-eevee

British Bombers Used At D-Day

Avro Lancaster

The Lancaster performed the role of softening up defenses of the Germans before the invasion fleet landed on the beaches giving the allies more of a chance at breaking through.

Handley Page Halifax Mk III

The Handley Page Halifax performed the role of towing gliders up into the air so that they could get to northern France, the gliders would contain troops that would go behind the lines early in the morning of the 6th of June to perform certain tasks such as destroying artillery pieces and securing towns.

Short Stirling

Just like the Halifax the Short Stirling bomber was used to tow troop carrying gliders into the air so they could drop down with troops in northern France.

De Havilland Mosquito

The Mosquito performed the role of a light bomber on D-Day in which it would go out on ground strike sorties to take care of German defenses in northern France.