Junkers Ju 87 Stuka was obsolete in what was now a fighter-bomber's war. The Bf 109 and Fw 190 could at least fight enemy fighters on equal terms after dropping their ordnance but the Stuka could not. The Ju 87's vulnerability was demonstrated on 11 November 1942, when 15 Ju 87 Ds were shot down by United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) Curtiss P-40Fs in minutes. By 1943, the Allies enjoyed air supremacy in North Africa. The Ju 87s ventured out in "Rotte" strength only, often jettisoning their bombs at the first sight of enemy aircraft. Adding to this trouble, the German fighters
In the Aeroplane Over the Sea on its folk charm, "Aeroplane" is thin-blooded, woolgathering stuff." After completing a tour for "In the Aeroplane", Mangum disappeared from the public eye, tired of performing and explaining his lyrics. His bandmates were keen to capitalize on the album's success, but Mangum was not interested, and declined an offer to open for R.E.M. In the words of "Slate", "At the end of "Aeroplane"'s final song, you can hear Jeff Mangum [...] set down his guitar and walk off, and [...] that's exactly what Mangum did in real life." Subsequent reviews from "Pitchfork" and "Rolling Stone" were more positive; the latter