I don't have much to gripe about with the Air Zoo, but one thing I didn't like was the lack of identification on some items. Clearly this is a naval gun, probably a four incher, that was sitting in a corner of the Air Zoo. But what model? Stuff like that makes me angry - it would probably take just a few minutes to put together a small card or stand to put next to the gun.
Next to that gun, we have a P-39 Airacobra. This plane had an innovative (for the time) middle placed engine. Unfortunately it was a bit underpowered and was used primarily for ground work. Note the large cannon in the nose - it was 37mm if memory serves, which was a pretty good sized cannon for the day. The Soviets used many of these in WW2.
Next to that is the Jug, or P-47 Thunderbolt. It had a massive engine for its time and was suited for air or ground work.
Ever wonder why they called it the jug? Wonder no more.
A role that is played down, because it isn't as action packed as the fighters and bombers is the transports. This Piper C-4 was used for transport of light equipment and a person or two. Tens of thousands of transport missions were flown during the war, moving men and equipment all over the globe.
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Just last week I watched a History Channel show called Dogfights. They chronicle historic air battles with computer generated footage combined with present day filmed testimony of the actual pilots who were there.
The P-47 was featured in a Vietnam dogfight (they were used for ground support before the A-10's came online) and Soviet made MIG jets. The Thunderbolts shot down the MIG's due to maneuverability and better trained pilots. Hell of a plane it was.
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