Martin A-30 Baltimore nose glazing © Crown Copyright IWM (C 3772)

4 November 1942 - Rommel's forces withdraw from El Alamein under the cover of night and retreat toward the West. 8 Nov - Operation Torch. A 74,000 strong Allied force including many fresh US troops facing their first combat, begins the first major amphibious landings of WW2 with an assault on the shores of Vichy French-controlled North Africa. The reaction of the French defenders is mixed, with strong resistance in some areas and a sympathetic reception in others. With a sound foothold at the western end of Africa, the Allies begin a massive build up of forces with the intention of advancing into Tunisia and attacking Rommel from the rear. In response, the Axis also begin a massive reinforcement of Tunisia by air and sea. On 17th Nov the two forces meet at Djebel Abiod and fighting breaks out across a wide front. 19 Nov - The Red Army begin Operation Uranus, targeting poorly equipped Hungarian and Romanian units surrounding Stalingrad. The Axis line collapses and the powerful German 6th Army is surrounded, with its 290,000 men and their equipment trapped inside the Stalingrad perimeter. The weather turns and the Russian winter sets in, compounding the Axis problems. Even though their air freight capacity available is less than an eighth of the capacity actually needed, the Luftwaffe is ordered to begin a futile attempt to supply and sustain the 6th Army by air. 27 Nov - Operation Lila, an attempt by the Germans to seize the French Fleet in Toulon is frustrated on 27th Nov. Amidst fierce fighting on the dock-sides, the French Navy scuttles 77 of its own major ships, including 3 battleships, 7 cruisers, 28 destroyers and 20 submarines to prevent them falling into Nazi control. Although disappointed, Hitler considers their denial to the Allies a lesser but equally welcome outcome.

Two folded Fulmars parked on deck alongside two Sea Hurricanes © Crown Copyright IWM (A 11295)

Derived from the obsolete Fairey Battle fast bomber, the Fulmar was developed in great secrecy and saw front line service from June 1940 until 1944, including development as a night fighter. When it first appeared it was a big disappointment to FAA pilots, since it was already outclassed by the opposing Axis aircraft due to its size and the requirement to carry an Observer, but compared with its predecessors, its heavier armament, excellent range/endurance and improved speed were certainly welcome. During Operation Torch, participating Fleet Air Arm aircraft were temporarily re-marked in US markings, as it was felt that the French defenders would be more sympathetic to the US and therefore less likely to attack them. I always feel that folded kits are a terrible disappointment, turning elegant and sleek naval aircraft into mechanical monstrosities. In truth, you could never really call the Fulmar elegant or sleek, but the complex wing folding arrangements seem particularly awkward. However, I have quite a few Fulmars in the stash, plus the Airwaves photo-etch conversion turns this into a pretty unique shape, so this one was sacrificed as an experiment. The pseudo USN markings for Operation Torch only add to the unreal feel. This particular kit mould was originally produced by Vista, a Czechoslovak company that seems to have disappeared without trace. It was then re-issued by SMER, then Revell, then Airfix. This is the SMER version, with identical markings to the Vista original.

The kit is simple but well engineered, with only basic detail and parts count but some nicely engraved surface features, if perhaps slightly too deeply engraved in places. It fits together very well with the sole exception of the wing roots, which can leave gaps if you are not careful. The undercarriage doors are also a weak point - most of the builds I can see on the web have made the same mistake as I did and fitted them too low on the wheel leg.

The Baltimore was a highly successful development of Martin's earlier Maryland light bomber, with a larger fuselage and other improvements produced at the request of the French and the RAF. A sturdy if slightly temperamental aircraft, particularly on the ground where it was very prone to "ground looping" if not handled carefully, it was originally ordered for the French Air Force but the order was passed to the British after the fall of France in 1940. The aircraft served in reasonable numbers with RAF and Commonwealth squadrons (Australian & SAAF) in North Africa and the Mediterranean as the light bomber backbone of the Desert Air Force. It also served with the Free French Air Forces.	A flight of Baltimores framed in a lower rear gun hatch © Crown Copyright IWM (CM 3848)

	The T-34 tank marked a step change in armoured vehicle design and its design influence can still be seen in today's MBTs. With its welded sloping armour and excellent mobility, its arrival on the Eastern Front was a rude awakening to the Nazis. Like most tanks of its time, in its original form it was underarmed and reliability was variable, but in combat it proved at least the equal of most German tanks, and best of all it was cheap, easy and quick to produce. In a very real sense, this is the weapon (along with its tank crews) that won WW2 for the Allies.