Fighter Aircraft

WWII 1939 - 1945

By the outbreak of WWII, aircraft were achieving speeds of over 300 mph. The double and triple wing designs of the WWI era were unsuitable for high speed flight, this seeing all aircraft after this time incorporating the single wing design.

Most air-to-air victories during WWII were achieved by guns or cannon. Pilots normally maneuvered in behind the target letting off short burst of fire at distances of between 350 and 2,000 meters. Long bursts of fire could see all the aircrafts ammunition used up in one dog fight.

The German invasion of Poland September 1st 1939 set off WWII. The Japanese attack on US forces at Pearl Harbor December 7th 1941 escalated the war even further.

Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Russia and the USA formed and alliance while Germany, Italy and Japan joined forces.

Germany surrendered in May 1945 and Japan in September 1945.

WWII claimed the lives of over 50,000,000 people. The countries to suffer the greatest losses during World War II were, the Soviet Union over 21,000,000, Germany 7,000,000, Poland 6,850,000, Japan 1,800,000, Yugoslavia 1,700,000, Romania 985,000, France 810,000, Hungary 750,000, Austria 525,000, Italy 410,000, Czechoslovakia 400,000, Great Britain 388,000 and the USA 295,000.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 1937, German, 398 mph
The Bf 109 was produced in greater quantities than any other fighter aircraft in history, with a wartime production of 30,573 craft. The Bf 109 scored more aircraft kills in World War II than any other aircraft. In the Battle of Britain, the Bf 109E was superior to the Hurricane with a better climb rate and faster although the Hurricane could turn more tightly than either the 109 or the Spitfire. The Bf 109E and the Spitfire, in certain key areas, had advantages over each other.

The Bf 109 was flown by the fighter ace of World War II: Erich Hartmann, with 352 official victories. The Bf 109 remained in production until the end of the war with upgraded models staying competitive with Allied planes. Armed with 2 x 13 mm machine guns or 20 or 30 mm cannon. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Bf_109

Hawker Hurricane early 1938, British, 340 mph
Together with the Spitfire, the Hurricane was significant in enabling the Royal Air Force (RAF) to win the Battle of Britain of 1940, accounting for the majority of the RAF's air victories. There were about 14,000 built between 1938 & 1944. During the Battle of Britain, the RAF lost 1085 planes. The battle was fought over the British countryside so a large percentage of pilots were recovered. Germany lost 1641 aircraft.

A top Allied pilot, the South African Pattle Marmaduke Thomas St John scored about 26 of his 34+ kills in a Hurricane in battles over North Africa and Italy. The Hurricane was outdated by 1941 so was mainly used for ground support from then on. Armed with multiple 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns or 20 or 40 mm cannon. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Hurricane

Supermarine Spitfire August 1938, British, 378 mph
The Spitfire achieved legendary status during the Battle of Britain. There was, and still is, a public perception that it was the main RAF fighter of the Battle, in spite of the fact more Hurricane's took part in the battle and were credited with shooting down more German aircraft. Air Vice Marshal James Edgar "Johnnie" Johnson shot down 34 confirmed enemy aircraft, as well as seven shared victories in various Spitfire's.

This score made him the highest scoring Western Allied pilot against Luftwaffe aircraft, thus officially becoming the British, and Western Allied flying ace. The Spitfire was continually upgraded throughout the war with later models achieving 448 mph. Armed with multiple 0.303 in (7.7 mm) Browning machine guns or 20 or 40 mm cannon. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermarine_Spitfire

Curtiss P-40 1938, US, 378 mph
The Curtiss P-40 was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft used by the air forces of 28 nations, including those of most Allied powers during World War II. By November 1944, when production of the P-40 ceased, 13,738 had been built. The first P-40s to enter the war did not have adequate performance for use in Northwest Europe in combat operations against Messerschmitt Bf 109s so were deployed to the British and French operating in North Africa.

The P-40 was the main US fighter in the first few years of the Pacific war against Japan where it struggled to match the Japanese A6M Zero. Armed with 6 x 50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Curtiss_P-40_Warhawk

A6M Zero 1940, Japanese, 331 mph
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a highly maneuverable, lightweight fighter aircraft operated from 1940 - 1945. When it was first introduced, the Zero was the best carrier-based fighter in the world, greatly feared by Allied pilots. By 1942, due to the evolution of new tactics and techniques, Allied pilots were able to engage the Zero on more equal terms. By 1943, American and British manufacturers were producing fighters with greater firepower, armor, and speed, and approaching the Zero's maneuverability.

The Mitsubishi A6M was outdated by 1944, but remained in production even though US pilots by then were achieving a kill ratio of 10 - 1. During the final years of the War in the Pacific, the Zero was utilized in kamikaze operations. Armed with 2 x 7.7 mm (0.303 in) Type 97 machine guns in the engine cowling and 2 x 20 mm (0.787 in) Type 99 cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A6M_Zero

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 1941, German, 408 mph
This aircraft helped Germany to regain air superiority over the English Channel in 1941. The British acquired an intact Fw 190 A-3 in late June 1942, when a Jagdgeschwader 2 pilot Oblt. Armin Faber landed on a British airfield by mistake.

The British confirmed the Fw 190 could outperform, in most aspects, the then top-of-the-line Spitfire Mk. V, a discovery which prompted the rush development of the Spitfire Mark IX with the new two-stage supercharged Merlin 61 engine. Later versions could reach 440 mph. Armed with 2 x 13 mm machine guns and 4 x 20 mm cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focke-Wulf_Fw_190

de Havilland Mosquito August 1941, British, 415 mph, twin engines
The de Havilland Mosquito was a British combat aircraft that excelled in a number of roles due to its high speed. Originally conceived as an unarmed fast bomber, uses of the Mosquito included: low to medium altitude daytime tactical bomber, high altitude night bomber, pathfinder and day or night fighter.

Armament comprised four 20 mm cannon in the front fuselage belly and four 0.303 in Browning machine-guns in the extreme nose. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Mosquito

P-38 Lightning 1941, US, 443 mph, twin engines
The first true tests for the long range Lightning was escorting English bombers into Germany and against Italian pilots in the Mediterranean. Italian pilots considered the type a formidable foe, even compared to other lethal fighters including the Supermarine Spitfire.

The P-38 was used most extensively and successfully in the Pacific theater escorting bombers at altitudes between 18-25,000ft. The P-38 was credited with destroying more Japanese aircraft than any other USAAF fighter. Armed with 4 x Colt-Browning MG53-2 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns and 20 mm cannon. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-38_Lightning

P-51 Mustang 1942, US, 437 mph
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that flew most of its wartime missions as a bomber escort in raids over Germany, helping ensure Allied air superiority from early 1944. It also saw limited service against the Japanese in the Pacific War. P-51s also distinguished themselves against advanced enemy rockets and aircraft.

A P-51B/C with high-octane fuel was fast enough to pursue the V-1s launched toward London or the German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter, although only for short bursts. Armed with 6 x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) machine guns. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P-51_Mustang

P-47 Thunderbolt 1942, US, 433 mph
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the Jug, was the largest single-engined fighter of its day, and a vast improvement over its predecessor, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. P-47Cs were sent to England for combat operations in late 1942 to be flown by American pilots, volunteers serving with the British Royal Air Force, flying Spitfire's until then. By the summer of 1943, the P-47 was also in service with the 12th Air Force in Italy, and it was fighting against the Japanese in the Pacific with the 348th Fighter Group flying escort missions out of Brisbane/ Australia.

The P-47 was a capable fighter that could absorb a tremendous amount of damage and survive. Its true strength however was said to be its awesome ground attack capabilities. Armed with 8 x 0.5 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_P-47

Messerschmitt Me 262 April 1944, German, 541 mph, Jet
The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first operational turbojet fighter aircraft. The Me 262 had a negligible impact on the course of the war due to its late introduction, with 509 claimed Allied kills against the loss of over 100 Me 262s.

Disadvantages of these early jets were they had poor low-speed acceleration and the engines needed replaced between 12 & 50 hours of operations. Armed with 4 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Messerschmitt_Me_262

Hawker Tempest June 1944, British, 432 mph
The Hawker Tempest was a British fighter aircraft primarily used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in the latter years of the Second World War. The Tempest was one of the most powerful fighter aircraft used in the war. Tempests scored a number of kills against the new German jets, including the Messerschmitt Me 262.

Hubert Lange, a Me 262 pilot, said: "the Messerschmitt Me 262's most dangerous opponent was the British Hawker Tempest — extremely fast at low altitudes, highly-manoeuvrable and heavily-armed. Armed with 4 x 20 mm Mark II Hispano cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Tempest

Gloster Meteor July 1944, British, 410 mph, Jet
The Gloster Meteor was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' first operational jet. Designed by George Carter, it first flew in 1943 and commenced operations on 27 July 1944 with 616 Squadron of the Royal Air Force (RAF).

The RAF initially reserved the aircraft to counter the V-1 flying bomb threat. The war ended with the Meteors having destroyed 46 German aircraft through ground attack. Armed with 4 x 20 mm British Hispano cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gloster_Meteor

Heinkel He 162 April 1945, German, 562 mph, Jet
The Heinkel He 162 was a single engined, jet powered fighter aircraft fielded by the Luftwaffe in WWII. Designed and built quickly, and made primarily of wood as metals were in very short supply and prioritized for other aircraft, the He 162 was nevertheless the fastest of the first generation of Axis and Allied jets.

The 162 only made it into service 1 month before the German surrender. In that time, 10 were lost to flameouts and sporadic structural failures, only two were shot down. Armed with 2 x 30 mm MK 108 cannons or 2 x 20 mm MG 151 cannons. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_162