WW2 Planes: Aircraft That Won the War

WW2 Planes: Aircraft That Changed History

World War II was history's first truly air-powered conflict. The planes that fought in it became legends—some are still flying today.

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American Fighters

P-51 Mustang

The war's best all-around fighter

Role: Long-range escort fighter
Speed: 437 mph
Range: 1,650 miles (with drop tanks)
Armament: 6× .50 cal machine guns

The Mustang solved the bomber escort problem. Before the P-51D, bombers flying to Germany suffered catastrophic losses. The Mustang could fly all the way to Berlin and back, protecting B-17s the entire way.

Why it mattered: Made strategic bombing of Germany possible. Pilots called it the "Cadillac of the Sky."

P-47 Thunderbolt

The heavy hitter

Role: Fighter-bomber
Speed: 426 mph
Armament: 8× .50 cal machine guns, 2,500 lbs bombs

Nicknamed "The Jug" for its massive size, the P-47 could absorb incredible punishment and still fly home. Excelled at ground attack missions in Europe.

P-38 Lightning

The twin-boom devil

Role: Fighter, interceptor
Speed: 414 mph
Range: 1,300 miles

Distinctive twin-boom design. Killed more Japanese aircraft than any other American fighter. Admiral Yamamoto was shot down by P-38s.

British Fighters

Supermarine Spitfire

Britain's savior

Role: Fighter
Speed: 362-454 mph (variants)
Armament: 8× .303 machine guns or 4× 20mm cannon

The Spitfire won the Battle of Britain and became a symbol of British resistance. Its elliptical wings and graceful design made it iconic.

Why it mattered: Defended Britain during the Blitz. Without the Spitfire, the war might have been lost in 1940.

Hawker Hurricane

The workhorse

Actually shot down more German aircraft during the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire, though less glamorous. More numerous and easier to repair.

German Fighters

Messerschmitt Bf 109

The Luftwaffe's backbone

Role: Fighter
Speed: 398 mph
Production: 34,000+ (most-produced fighter ever)

The backbone of German air power from Spain to Berlin's fall. Erich Hartmann, history's top ace (352 kills), flew the Bf 109.

Focke-Wulf Fw 190

The butcher bird

Superior to contemporary Spitfires when introduced. Excellent at both air combat and ground attack.

Messerschmitt Me 262

The first jet fighter

Speed: 540 mph
First operational jet fighter in history

Arrived too late and in too few numbers to change the war, but previewed the future of aviation. Allied pilots had no answer to its speed.

Japanese Fighters

Mitsubishi A6M Zero

The Pacific terror

Role: Carrier fighter
Speed: 331 mph
Range: 1,930 miles

Dominated the Pacific in 1941-42. Exceptional range and maneuverability. Light weight meant no armor or self-sealing fuel tanks—vulnerable to American firepower.

Soviet Fighters

Yakovlev Yak-3

The Eastern Front's best

Considered by many Luftwaffe pilots to be the most dangerous opponent they faced. Light, maneuverable, deadly at low altitude.

American Bombers

For comprehensive bomber coverage, see our WW2 Bombers guide.

B-17 Flying Fortress

The daylight bomber

Crew: 10
Bomb load: 8,000 lbs
Defensive armament: 13× .50 cal machine guns

The "Fort" bore the brunt of the daylight bombing campaign over Germany. Heavily armed, it could sustain incredible damage and fly home.

B-29 Superfortress

The war-ender

The most advanced bomber of the war. Dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Pressurized cabin, remote-controlled gun turrets, enormous range.

British Bombers

Avro Lancaster

The night bomber

Britain's heavy bomber carried the nighttime campaign to Germany. Could carry the massive "Grand Slam" and "Tallboy" bombs.

Flying Today

Commemorative Air Force maintains flying examples
Air shows feature restored WW2 planes
Some P-51s cost $2-4 million today