When we think of WW2 fighter aircraft, we tend to imagine relatively small aircraft that are quick, agile and responsive. However, the war also produced a very different kind of fighter, larger twin-engine machines which although, less agile, were equipped with much longer range, much more heavy armament, a much stronger airframe and much heavier electronic and electrical equipment that was constantly growing in sophistication. The much larger aircraft allowed them to become long-range escorts, fighter-bombers, night interceptors, reconnaissance aircraft and also bomber-destroyers.

The importance of these heavies grew, in fact, when air power was thrown across Europe, across the Mediterranean and across the Pacific. Many could haul guns, heavy machine-guns, or radar sets or fuel, sometimes more capacity than the standard interceptor, or even other crew members-the peculiar bi-fuselaged P-38; the radar equipped He 219; the Northrop Black Widow are great stories-in which it seems that as many aspects beyond pure maneuverability and armament as is possible could be incorporated.

1. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Probably WWII’s most iconic big fighter the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was built on the theory that great speed, range and fire-power could overcome its perceived lack of maneuverability. Designed with an innovative twin-boom fuselage, central cockpit and weapons bay, the ultimate model L of the P-38 had a maximum takeoff weight of 21,600 lb-far larger and heavier than most other conventional single engined fighters. The P-38’s twin engines had turbochargers to keep it flying well at high altitude and tended to produce a softer tone to the exhaust. The basic concept was so adaptable that it served as a fighter, fighter bomber, reconnaissance, night fighter and bomber escort.

Lightning Performance Highlights:

• Distinctive twin-boom configuration
• Two turbocharged engines
• Heavy forward-firing armament
• Exceptional long-range capability
• Multiple combat roles

As with the fighter itself combat records varied drastically between theaters;in Europe a fighter’s loss rate could be very high if facing German fighter opponents, and even though by the midpoint of 1944 many European fighter groups had given way to the smaller more agile P-51 Mustang, there were hundreds, indeed thousands of Lightnings in combat in the Pacific and China-Burma-India theaters where it was superb: American ace pilots Richard Bong, Thomas McGuire, and Charles H. MacDonald all built great victories while flying P-38s. 1200 lightnings were converted for reconnaissance as camera-equipped F-4s and F-5s, and between 1941-1945 of the 10,037 machines that rolled off the assembly line America was never out of its largest fighter aircraft at the beginning of the war.

2. Dornier Do 335 Pfeil

The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil was one of the odder and more unique high-performance fighters developed in WWII. Instead of mounting the tandem engines in the customary position for twin-engine aircraft; by each other and close together in the front and on the sides of the fighter. Dornier opted to instead mount both engines end to end in the aircraft creating a pull-push arrangement which kept drag levels down in addition to preventing some of the problems in roll when one engine failed in a traditional twin-engine. The outcome was a extremely large and fast piston-engine aircraftcapable to fly at nearly 800 kilometers per hour.

Pfeil Engineering Highlights:

• Innovative push-pull engine layout
• Reduced aerodynamic drag
• Exceptional piston-engine speed
• Large heavy-fighter airframe
• Limited wartime production

With its superb performance potential and extraordinary layout, the Do 335 simply arrived too late to truly impact on the war. It first flew on 26 th October 1943 but various technical shortcomings delayed production aircraft with cooling and fire risks associated with the rear engine creating serious complications. Pre-production aircraft subsequently made reconnaissance sorties by May 1944 and Do 335 A-1 fighter bomber deliveries commenced in January 1945, of which just under 15 were completed prior to Germany’s defeat. Total production was 37; it is perhaps typical of many aircraft desperately desired by the Luftwaffe that production and delivery of engines proved a stumbling block and it was another brilliant and unique high-performance piston fighter to lose out against that last minute arrival to war concept.

3. Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse

The Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornisse was born from the failed Me 210. Initially conceived in relation to German Zerstrer (heavy-fighter) plans. Its larger Daimler-Benz DB 603 engines, much larger internal fuel stores, longer fuselage and automatic leading-edge slats turned it into a much faster and more adaptable aircraft that could serve as a heavy-fighter, fighter-bomber, bomber-destroyer, reconnaissance aircraft and as a night fighter. Its large frame provided designers with space in which to fit copious weapons and equipment, along with the speed for long range.

Hornisse Combat Highlights:

• Powerful twin-engine configuration
• Increased internal fuel capacity
• Heavy fighter-bomber capability
• Strong bomber interception performance
• Multiple specialized variants

It first proved successful against Allied bombers (especially when it managed to meet a raid without a fighter escort) due to its combined ability of speed, firepower and endurance allowing it to operate successfully as a bomber destroyer in 1943. But these benefits were diminished in the presence of more maneuverable Allied fighters like the Spitfire and P-51 Mustang, and it suffered from the need to have greater maneuverability if caught in a prolonged dog fight against single-engine aircraft. It was also used as a night bomber, reconnaissance and a southern England attack aircraft. During the period following the Allied landings in Normandy, the production of the Me 410 became increasingly unsustainable before the end of it was achieved in 1944, favoring heavily armed single engines more useful in against bombers.

4. Messerschmitt Bf 110G

Initially the Messerschmitt Bf 110 had been developed as a reasonably fast twin engined heavy fighter aircraft but became very large as they had new roles. It was during this phase of its development that the Bf 110G became effective and significant as a night fighter, larger capacity for fuel and for the long-range missions required to orbit around enemy bombing areas was a prime factor for this and for the increased armament which also reflected the fitting out required for increasing weight in electronics. The addition of radar added more and more weight to the aircraft to turn it into a potent and specialist night fighter. In the daylight the size and relative incapability to turn in a tight radius makes it ideal prey to single seat fighters, however in the darkness and attacking bombers this is less significant.

Bf 110G Night-Fighter Highlights:

• Extended fuel for endurance
• Heavy cannon and machine guns
• Increasingly sophisticated radar equipment
• Effective bomber interception platform
• Major Luftwaffe night-fighter role

Although the Bf 110 performed brilliantly in the early phases of the campaigns in Poland, Norway and France its limitations became evident when it was used as a close fighter escort for German bombers in the Battle of Britain where its poor maneuverability made it a target to British fighters. Its true forte later emerged in the air superiority roles and a highly effective machine of the night and fitted with a radar and manned with experienced crews, served as one of the primary nighttime interceptors used by the Luftwaffe. The greatest German night fighter ace was Heinz-Wolfgang Schnaufer who exclusively flew the Bf 110 and downed 121 enemy planes while piloting it. It also served with distinction until the war ended proving a case that a machine that was unsuccessful in one capacity can also excel in a completely different role with proper modifications

5. De Havilland Mosquito

The de Havilland Mosquito was the most multi role heavy war plane used in World War 2. Initially envisioned as a fighter bomber, it was later turned into so many types (fighter, fighter-bomber, night fighter, intruder, anti-ship aircraft, photographic reconnaissance) as to be second to none. In spite of its largely wooden construction (and nicknamed by the Germans “The wooden wonder”), the aircraft proved itself to be able to reach tremendous speeds and carry very heavy bombing or fighting loads. Fighter versions still kept four forward firing cannon guns housed in the lower fuselage as well as four machine guns housed in the nose, which proved the aircraft to be deadly in a fight.

Mosquito Versatility Highlights:

• Lightweight wooden airframe
• High-speed twin-engine design
• Powerful forward armament
• Excellent night-fighter potential
• Wide range of missions

Also, in relation to these and successive developments of radar, and due to the size of its airframe, the Mosquito was particularly suitable to carry gradually larger and heavier radar sets without any fundamental detraction to its effectiveness. During the last three years of the war it excelled as an RAF fighter aircraft, it is fourth among RAF fighter aircraft when assessed by operational effectiveness as per the source data. It proved as adept at specialist attacks on specific targets such as their part in the infamous Amiens Prison raid and attacks on specific installations within Germany. While speed, versatility, effectiveness and firepower made this a great multi-role, high-performance heavyweight.

6. Bristol Beaufighter

The Bristol Beaufighter was a heavy-fighter design which originated from the Bristol Beaufort torpedo bomber and first flew in 1939. It was designed to fulfill the pressing need for a long range fighter and readily demonstrated itself to be a robust twin engine fighter capable of operating in harsh conditions. In relation to size its heavy fuselage housed two men and four 20mm cannons, and in terms of robustness it possessed the resilience required for attacks on land and shipping targets. It was not so much like other lighter fighters in possessing significant agility but rather strength, firepower and longevity.

Beaufighter Firepower Highlights:

• Rugged twin-engine construction
• Two-person crew arrangement
• Four 20mm Hispano cannons
• Six machine guns
• Strong maritime strike capability

It had 4 20mm Hispano cannons & 6 machine guns thus providing much forward firing potential & could also be used in ground attack and anti-shipping roles as it could also carry bombs, torpedoes, or rockets. And due to its size, was a perfect platform to carry an early interception radar, and went on to become one of Britain’s first successful night fighters during the Battle of Britain. Then in RAF Coastal Command, it became indispensable in the maritime strike roles that it was suited for, although Mediterranean and Pacific aircraft often took their Beaufighters to attack Axis shipping, and to hunt subs. At the end of the war, it had claimed close to 1,000 aircraft kills, and the aircraft had proved that large aircraft could be very lethal in fighter role by use of both resilience and massive firepower.

7. Junkers Ju 88 fighter variants

Initially developed as a general-purpose twin-engine military aircraft, the adaptable structure of the Junkers Ju 88 was suitable for the conversion of several variants of heavy fighter. While the Ju 88C was employed as the Zerstrer heavy-fighter, it was the Ju 88G series which became one of the Luftwaffe’s primary groups of night-fighters. Far too big for the type of tight manoeuvering combat seen in light-fighter planes with approximately 65 foot wingspan and maximum takeoff weights nearing 30,000 lb, emphasis had been placed on stability range, equipment load and heavy armament.

Ju 88 Fighter Highlights:

• Approximately 65-foot wingspan
• Heavy twin-engine airframe
• Powerful cannon armament
• Advanced night-fighter adaptations
• Radar-equipped interception capability

The size of the Ju 88 would eventually be exploited with the aircraft’s conversion to a night-fighter; the Ju 88G variant can carry radar and “Schrge Musik”-angled upwards firing cannon-thus allowing it to engage Allied bombers from below. During daytime operation the threat of patrollers may have been used to ensure RAF Mosquito units were scrambled purely on purpose to intercept its own hunting counterpart and the inherent Ju 88 airframe was incredibly adaptable. Initially a bomber then subsequently a dive bomber, torpedo-bomber, recon aircraft, night fighter, and even heavy fighter more than 15,000 Ju 88s would be built under numerous designations thus the Ju 88 would be the one of the Germanys most utilised twin-engined warplanes.

8. Heinkel He 219 Uhu

With wings of just over sixty feet, and a loaded weight of more than 30,000 pounds the Heinkel He 219 Uhu was one of the largest and most technically sophisticated German night fighters used during the war, considerably larger then the ordinary day fighter. Its enormous size was a necessity to fit more capable engines, airframes, radar equipment, armament and crew together. The night time intercept mission also led to these dimensions becoming an asset as much as a disadvantage.

Uhu Technology Highlights:

• Advanced dedicated night fighter
• Lichtenstein SN-2 radar
• Pressurized cockpit design
• Operational ejection seats
• Upward-firing cannon arrangement

There were a number of advances over previous designs: it featured ejected seats; tricycle landing gear; pressure cabin; Lichtenstein SN-2 radar; camera; and remote powered gun mountings. This allowed the aircraft to fire its upward aiming, by Schrge Musik cannons, at the RAF bombers from below; it was to gain a reputation for its ruggedness and firepower; though as said its political rivals and other aircraft programmes coupled with construction complexity and material shortages dramatically limit the numbers that could be produced. There were in all only 268 airframes built in all variants. The He 219 saw combat duty from July 1943 and saw out the rest of the war on it own; despite small numbers produced; they were one of the largest flying aircraft night fighters in service; by providing high rate of fire, good firepower, radar, together with effective crew protection.

9. Martin B-26 Marauder (fighter roles)

Originally proposed as an unarmed medium bomber with a range of only 730 miles, the Martin B-26 Marauder with its speed and heavy bomb load seemed to be another possibility for an escort fighter. Six remotely operated forward firing machine gun would be added in the configuration as well,and proved capable of holding its own with an F4 Corsair in a faked duel(though result was a tie). Ultimately, no specific long-range escort program was ever developed, though its ability wasn’t fully put to use in combat and it served effectively in a strike-fighter role with its capabilities.

Marauder Combat Highlights:

• Originally designed as bomber
• Fast twin-engine configuration
• Six forward-firing machine guns
• Long-range strike capability
• Effective Mediterranean operations

The RAF’s 14 squadron flew their Marauders (in a strike fighter role) over the Mediterranean aslong-range patrol planes and as attacking planes against ships, on bombing runs against enemy facilities, and British aircrews also fly in air combat against opposing fighter units in this bomber. Marauder crews achieved successes against giant German trans-ports like the Me 323, the Italian SM.82s, and Ju 52s proving that these planes can prove deadly with experienced pilots flying them in a air-combat role. While these missions prove the Marauder can excel in the role of fighter; the B-26s initial problematic service life was eventually rectified with crew re-training and aerodynamic modifications that turned it into a safe and incredibly lethal bomber by the end of the war that enjoyed a lowerloss rate thanany other USAF bombers; and experiments flying it as a fighter plane showed the possibilities of a fast, heavy fighter-armed twin-engine plane.

10. Northrop P-61 Black Widow

The first and only type of U.S. Aircraft ever design from scratch for purpose as a night fighter was the Northrop P-61, and this was certainly also linked to it’s enormous scale for the role it was to fill; that is with twin-boom to accommodate radar installation and armaments, plus arrangements for it’screw. The machine grew to a weight between 13,459 Kg and 18,000 Kg or in old world figures of between six and a half tons and nearly nine tons, and compared with other conventional fighters was a colossal beast of a machine that wasn’t designed to operate like daytime fighter performing dog fights but that operated on the basis of detected target, interception followed by overwhelming firepower.

Black Widow Weapon Highlights:

• Purpose-built night interceptor
• Twin-boom aircraft configuration
• Four 20mm forward cannons
• Four heavy machine guns
• Integrated airborne radar

Armament consisted of 4×20mm cannons and 4×heavy machine guns, making the P-61 Black Widow a formidable nocturnal weapon. P-61’s served in all theaters and achieved the final Allied aerial victory of the war prior to VJ day on August 14 th , 1945. 706 airframes produced established its reputation as one of World War 2’s definitive heavy heavyweight night-fighters. The greatest fighters of WW2 showed how size made room for increased fuel, armament, manpower, radar and specialized equipment, establishing the P-38 Lighting and Mosquito for speed and range while Bf 110, Ju 88, He 219 and P-61 developed into effective night-ighters, all having their roles molded by the increasing prominence of the role played by radar and long-range flight.