WW2 Aircraft
World War 2 saw aviation advance more than any other period. By war's end, jets were replacing propellers.
Fighters
- Won the Battle of Britain
- Elegant elliptical wings
- Continuously upgraded throughout war
- Iconic symbol of British resistance
- Long range (escort bombers to Berlin)
- Excellent performance at altitude
- Changed the air war over Europe
- Luftwaffe's main fighter
- Excellent climb and dive
- Produced in huge numbers (34,000+)
- Superior to contemporary Spitfires
- Rugged, powerful, versatile
- Exceptional range and maneuverability
- Dominated early Pacific war
- Lightly armored — vulnerable once countered
Bombers
- Heavy bomber, daylight precision raids
- Heavily armed defensive guns
- Suffered terrible losses until P-51 escorts arrived
- Night bomber, area raids
- Carried heaviest bomb loads
- Dam Busters, firebombing campaigns
- Most advanced piston bomber ever
- Pressurized cabin, remote-controlled guns
- Firebombed Japan, dropped atomic bombs
Ground Attack
- Most produced military aircraft ever (36,000+)
- Armored "flying tank"
- Devastating against German armor
- Heavy fighter-bomber
- Extremely rugged
- Dominant in ground attack role
Jets
- First operational jet fighter
- 100+ mph faster than Allied fighters
- Too few, too late to affect outcome
- First Allied jet
- Saw limited combat
Strategic Impact
- Battle of Britain prevented invasion
- Strategic bombing crippled German industry
- Air superiority enabled D-Day
- Atomic bombs ended Pacific war
WW2 proved that controlling the sky was essential for victory.
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Explore aviation in WW2 Weapons & Technology.