The United States came to the Second World War with the greatest industrial production in history the force which decided the war. From a peacetime economy, the country’s industry converted overnight to the output of wartime, turning out American aircraft by the thousands, using every advantage of the nation’s engineering ingenuity, and its vast networks of supply. American industry, with such power at its command, furnished the Allies with thousands of sound warplanes, and this capacity was vital in assuring America air power, both over Europe and over the Pacific.

But these planes were more than just killing machines. Fighter aircraft danced for mastery of the skies. Tough bombers pushed the war behind enemy lines, and aircraft designed for specialized tasks conducted reconnaissance and rescue, and naval aviation supported all levels of the conflict. Each plane is the result of its own careful compromise between strength, performance, and design.

1. Curtiss P-36 Hawk

Despite being superseded by more modern fighter aircraft when the USA joined the World War II fray, the Curtiss P-36 Hawk claimed its place in history by providing America with its first aerial kills. Some of the P-36s actually got up in the air during the attack on Pearl Harbor, with American pilots successfully engaging and destroying some of the attacking aircraft. Relatively inexpensive to construct and dependable, the P-36 showed how even an older model fighter plane had its place.

Highlights of the Curtiss P-36 Hawk:

• First American wartime air victories
• Affordable and reliable fighter aircraft
• Successful service with French forces
• Strong Battle of France performance
• Foundation for future Curtiss fighters

Although it saw little combat service with the United States armed forces, the P-36 found much more success abroad. Due to large pre-war sales to friendly governments, most of all to France where it became a significant frontline fighter, the Hawk performed quite well during the Battle of France against German aircraft and accounted for a large proportion of French aerial victories.

2. Brewster F2A Buffalo

The Brewster F2A Buffalo built up a combat reputation perhaps greater than that of any other American fighter in World War II. The type was not effective when employed in the US service, drawing scorn from many American aviators in the Pacific theater but was surprisingly successful when operated by other Allied countries. The aircraft’s conflicting combat record demonstrated the importance of circumstances and tactics over the machine itself.

Key Facts About the Buffalo:

• Mixed combat reputation worldwide
• Early American carrier-based fighter
• Struggled against Japanese Zero
• Excellent Finnish combat record
• Effective under favorable conditions

American forces found that their Buffalo aircraft were unable to keep pace with more agile and speedy Japanese fighters, especially the Mitsubishi Zero. While it could be operated from aircraft carriers, the shortcomings of the Buffalo increasingly manifested themselves as the war grew in scale. By the time that significant operations occurred in the Pacific, many of the U.S.

3. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

One of America’s most reliable early-war fighters, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk achieved fame around the world for its service with the legendary Flying Tigers in China. The Warhawk entered combat before the United States entered the war and proved to be a strong and resilient aircraft, suitable for many missions. While it couldn’t reach the heights of Germany’s premier fighters, due to its relatively humble engine, it proved more than capable where those performance traits were not the deciding factor.

Strengths of the P-40 Warhawk:

• Famous Flying Tigers fighter
• Durable multi-role combat aircraft
• Excellent ground attack capability
• Reliable across multiple theaters
• Produced in large numbers

The Warhawk saw widespread use across North Africa, China, the Pacific and a number of other areas, where its ruggedness and firepower proved more than adequate as a fighter and a fighter bomber. The aircraft remained of some utility, even as more modern fighters rolled off the assembly line. Almost 14,000 copies of the Warhawk were eventually produced, with production ceased in 1944, rendering it one of the most common of America’s wartime aircraft.

4. Vought F4U Corsair

The Vought F4U Corsair Vought F4U Corsair World War II may have passed us by but even so we still associate it with some very recognizable icons from the era, like American military aircraft. If you are even slightly acquainted with these American workhorses from the time the distinctive inverted gull wings of the Vought F4U Corsair immediately springs to mind. They were produced in a remarkable large number; nearly 13,000 were manufactured during the course of World War II and this very powerful, fast and robust fighter aircraft took an active part in campaigns from the Pacific theatre all the way to Japan itself.

Defining Features of the Corsair:

• Distinctive inverted gull wing design
• Powerful carrier-based fighter aircraft
• Folding wings for storage
• Strong Pacific combat performance
• Widely used by Marines

Despite its excellent combat performance, the Corsair suffered from a few issues that plagued its early days at sea. The plane tended to stall out when operating at the very low speed necessary to land on a carrier deck, and when outmatched during dogfights with agile Japanese Zeros that demonstrated the plane’s weaknesses in high-G manoeuvres. Because of this, the Corsair never truly found its sea legs on carriers at the height of the war but was absolutely stellar from land bases as a U.S. Marine Corps fighter.

5. Grumman F6F Hellcat

The Grumman F6F Hellcat was designed with earlier American carrier fighters’ failings in mind and went on to be the U.S. Navy’s primary fighter of World War II. It was built around a framework of reliability, toughness and safe carrier operations, quickly inspiring the trust of naval aviators. This potent combination of fighting capability and safe to operate factors allowed for American air superiority throughout the Pacific theatre.

Why the Hellcat Excelled:

• Designed for carrier operations
• Outstanding combat effectiveness
• Superior against Japanese Zero
• Rugged and pilot-friendly design
• Mass-produced for wartime service

Replacing older types of carrier fighter, the Hellcat was designed to be superior in low-speed handling so as to reduce the difficulties and danger of carrier landings. This carrier fighter turned out to be a far superior dogfighter in the air, recording a considerable kill-to loss ratio against Japanese aircraft, and outmanoeuvring most of their aircraft that it met with in the Pacific war. The fact that over 12,000 aircraft were built in slightly over two years speaks well of mass production and efficiency, and more of its importance to the war. Relatively cheap to build, combined with its excellent in-war performance made it one of the most successful naval fighters that were ever produced and was an important tool that led to the eventual victory of the Allies in the Pacific theatre.

6. Bell P-39 Airacobra

Nearly all other American fighters were dramatically different from the Bell P-39 Airacobra because of its unique layout. Instead of the engine going in the nose, engineers located it in the tail of the aircraft, connected by a long shaft that powered the propeller. With its heavy gun armament and tricycle landing gear, the fighter was very original, especially during the beginning years of World War II.

Innovative Airacobra Features:

• Unique mid-engine aircraft layout
• Tricycle landing gear design
• Heavy forward-firing armament
• Excellent low-altitude performance
• Innovative engineering approach

The Airacobra would see combat and trainer service with the United States Army Air Forces. While at higher altitudes the lack of a well designed turbo-supercharger became evident it still was a capable fighter in lower altitude fighting where its speed and fire power was most effectively utilized. Other nations, especially those with a preference for lower altitude combat such as the Soviet Union, made good use of the P-39 in wartime service. This combination of unique design features and reliable service made the Airacobra a valuable and recognizable fighter throughout the war.

7. Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless

Known as “Slow but Deadly,” the Douglas SBD-6 Dauntless was arguably one of the most significant aircraft of the Pacific War. Most notably, SBD dive-bombers helped turn the tide of the battle at Midway with their destructive assaults on Japanese carriers. With long range, excellent accuracy, reliable handling, and long dive-attack angles, the Dauntless carved itself a permanent place in the annals of naval aviation.

Strengths of the Dauntless:

• Devastating dive-bombing accuracy
• Battle of Midway hero
• Excellent operational range
• Reliable carrier-based performance
• Effective against enemy warships

Refinement of the Northrop BT-1 led to numerous upgrades such as a larger fuel capacity and self-sealing tanks which also enhanced the aircraft’s range and survivability, making it one of the Navy’s most reliable carrier-based bombers in the first half of the war. True to its nickname, it sent to the bottom scores of Axis surface vessels, battleships, submarines, and most famously, several of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s aircraft carriers. The Dauntless’ effectiveness in the Pacific earned it the reputation as one of the most devastating dive bombers of World War II and instrumental in turning the tide of battle.

8. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

One of the most imposing Allied aircraft during the war was the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Designed to engage enemies at high altitudes, this beast packed an amazing loadout, 8.50 caliber machine guns to inflict damage on enemy fighters, and was the Allied’s primary interceptor over Europe as nearly 15,000 were produced throughout the conflict.

Defining Thunderbolt Capabilities:

• Powerful high-altitude fighter
• Eight heavy machine guns
• Rugged multi-role airframe
• Effective fighter-bomber missions
• Exceptional battlefield durability

Although designed to be a fighter aircraft, the sturdy Thunderbolt could survive some extensive battle damage and still continue to operate. In addition, its rugged airframe could be fitted with an extremely large and heavy bomb or rocket load to carry out successful ground support missions against the enemy’s transportation, armored forces and supply lines.

9. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Lockheed P-38 Lightning In a crowd of highly impressive machines that came and went with the shifting tides of war, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was in a league of its own, its unique twin-boom airframe and centrally positioned cockpit marking it as unmistakable. The only American fighter aircraft produced throughout the whole course of the war, the P-38 had a pricetag far higher than its counterparts but more than lived up to it.

Outstanding P-38 Lightning Features:

• Unique twin-boom aircraft design
• Long-range escort fighter capability
• Excellent aerial reconnaissance platform
• Powerful concentrated nose armament
• Continuous wartime production record

P-38 commanded great respect not only among Allied airmen but from German aviators as well who called it the “fork-tailed devil.” With such speed, range and range, the Lightning turned into one of the greatest American aircrafts during World War II.

10. Northrop P-61 Black Widow

Northrop P-61 Black Widow Technological leap in the sky America’s first pure night-fighter, it wasn’t an after thought the P-61 was engineered from scratch for operations under the cloak of darkness. The innovative aircraft gave the Allies capabilities that proved effective in countering night attack on their troops.

Advanced Night-Fighting Capabilities:

• Purpose-built night fighter aircraft
• Advanced onboard radar system
• Three-person combat crew
• Specialized nighttime interception missions
• Innovative wartime aircraft technology

This flying gunship had three men aboard-a pilot, a bombardier (later an “observer/gunner” after radar replaced bomb targeting) and a “radar man” who could see out through 11 miles of darkness. Airborne radar was a major innovation. It allowed the crew to “see” and attack an enemy aircraft, even if the enemy were completely unseen.

11. North American P-51 Mustang

The North American P-51 Mustang remains, the best-known American aircraft of World War II and one of the world’s greatest piston-engined fighters. Even in its original conception, the P-51 Mustang was an impressive aircraft but the power of the Rolls-Royce Merlin engine converted this into one that could even get up with the highest flying of German and Japanese fighter aircraft.

Defining Strengths of the Mustang:

• Exceptional long-range escort fighter
• Powerful Merlin engine upgrade
• Outstanding speed and performance
• Protected Allied bomber formations
• Lasting postwar military service

Where the Mustang made its greatest impact, however, was with the long range escort of bomber formations flying deep into Europe. Before the Mustang came on stream, there were too many bomber crew casualties from the large formations attacking deep inside Germany; none of the escorting fighters were capable of reaching targets inside German territory, or returning to base, while escorting the bombers the full round trip.

12. North American B-25 Mitchell

In World War II, the North American B-25 Mitchell bomber came to be known as one of the most versatile and reliable medium bombers of the conflict. The bomber also achieved immortal fame in April 1942 when Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle flew 16 B-25s to launch a daring attack against the mainland of Japan. This spectacular mission helped boost the morale of the Allied forces and showcase the versatility of the plane.

Key Strengths of the B-25 Mitchell:

• Famous Doolittle Raid bomber
• Highly reliable medium bomber
• Powerful ground attack capability
• Versatile multi-role aircraft design
• Effective across multiple theaters

However, the B-25 became a solid all-around bomber and gunship during the war. In addition to the ability to carry a good number of bombs, many had .50 caliber machine guns installed and could wreak havoc in low strafing runs on enemy targets such as positions, ships and supplies.

13. Boeing B-29 Superfortress

With the B-29 Superfortress, Boeing had introduced what could only be seen as a significant stride in military aviation technology during the Second World War. A very large heavy-bomb long range strategic aircraft; the design included both substantial pay loads and significant technological improvements in such areas as the cockpit pressuring for a high level operation for flight.

Revolutionary Features of the B-29:

• Advanced pressurized crew cabin
• Massive long-range bomb capacity
• Remote-controlled defensive gun turrets
• Strategic high-altitude bomber design
• Revolutionary wartime aviation technology

Extreme Heavy Load Bomb Capacity for Distance the Superfortress carried incredibly heavy bomb loads over considerable distance and in support of such mission for the targeting of long-range sites. It’s advanced, remote controlled gun turret, while increasing survivability for those aboard reduced man power of air crews and it spoke volumes of its technical advancement during this era.

14. Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina

While the focus of press coverage in World War II was largely on the fighter and bomber, the Consolidated PBY-5 Catalina stealthily turned into arguably the most essential supporting airplane of the conflict. Often initially shrugged off by sceptics as an old technology, this venerable flying boat provided the endurance, robustness, and utility necessary to operate over vast bodies of water.

Catalina’s Essential Wartime Roles:

• Long-range maritime patrol aircraft
• Reliable search and rescue missions
• Effective anti-submarine warfare platform
• Versatile ocean reconnaissance aircraft
• Lifesaving Pacific rescue operations

The Catalina also served a variety of outstanding roles: maritime patrol, antisubmarine, recon, and even some bombing of enemy ships at night. Their range meant that these crews were tasked to observe a huge area of the Pacific that was important to us in detecting the enemy and keeping the surface sea lanes free for us. Though they were not very fast and thus vulnerable to fighters they were vital in search and rescue; many of our pilots downed in the Pacific, or our Sailors bobbing on the surface could be plucked out of areas of the sea that we could not have reached otherwise.