In early 1944 the US Navy assembled an untrained and ill-prepared fighter squadron and shipped it for immediate action in the final stage of Operation Cartwheel. This is the story of the first Fighting Squadron 34.
The First Fighting Squadron VF-34
“A Thousand Bombers, or One Battleship”
The Battle of the East China Sea. "Nearly all [Beast] stories depend for their success on Jack killing the Giant, Beowulf or St. George slaying the Dragon... That is their inner grammar, and the whole shape of the story leads towards it." - A.N. Wilson
Shades of Grey
In this unusual piece I make the argument for why I've painted my in-progress USN Helldiver in a somewhat unconventional scheme.
Earning Their Stripes
How does a squadron of trainee pilots return to base in the event bad weather when they don't have radios in their aircraft? The recall bird goes up; here's mine.
The “Convertible” F-14D of USN’s VF-213 “The Black Lions”
Something a little different; a jet for one thing. However, this one is a little lighthearted compared to most and I hope you enjoy it.
CV-9 USS Essex & AVG-83, March-August 1945
"I often think of 409 at the bottom of the Pacific with some of my personal gear aboard. After all this time there is probably nothing left..."
