Aircraft

Reconnaissance, shadowing and attack: aircraft in the conditions their crews actually faced.

Grumman TBF‑1 Avenger

The new torpedo bomber’s Midway debut, the island detachment of VT-8 and the limits of better equipment.

The carrier aircraft that bombed Tirpitz during Operation Tungsten and interrupted her return to service.

The patrol aircraft connecting the search for Bismarck with reconnaissance and night attack at Midway.

A Marine F4U-1D’s bombing sortie from Bennington during the attack on Yamato’s force.

The scout and dive bomber, its two-person crew and the bomb loads actually flown from Enterprise.

The American carrier torpedo bomber and the failures of protection and coordination that exposed it at Midway.

A carrier fighter used against ships and gun positions in both the Yamato and Tirpitz campaigns.

The later carrier dive bomber present in Bennington’s strike against Yamato’s force.

The three-seat Japanese carrier attack aircraft, its crew and its documented torpedo mission against Yorktown.

The long-range bomber adapted to carry Tallboy against Tirpitz.

Search, shadowing and torpedo attack from Ark Royal during the Bismarck pursuit.

Bennington’s torpedo aircraft on 7 April 1945, their long flight and the decision to attack Yamato’s escorts.

The Japanese dive bomber that struck Midway and carried Hiryū’s first counterattack to Yorktown.

Folding wings, six machine guns and the trade-offs faced by American carrier fighters at Midway.

Japan’s carrier fighter, its armament and the competing demands of escort and fleet defence at Midway.