Introduction
After the First World War, the potential of aircraft in warfare was fully realized. Many nations began prioritising the research and development of new state-of-the-art aircraft, and the world saw a leap in aviation technology and strategy, firmly establishing aircraft as decisive tools of warfare. During World War II, airplanes became integral to every aspect of the war effort, ranging from large air superiority battles to devastating close air support to massive bombing campaigns. Combatants began mass-producing aircraft with remarkable advances in speed, maneuverability, range, and firepower. The war also saw the introduction of revolutionary technologies, including radar and jet propulsion, setting the stage for a new era of aviation.
United States
American planes in the Second World War were built for range and power. U.S. aircraft often emphasized long-distance capability, heavy armament, and durability — fitting for a nation fighting a two-ocean war. Fighters like the P-51 Mustang combined speed and range, escorting bombers such as the B-17 Flying Fortress and B-29 Superfortress which could absorb punishment and still bring crews home. Naval aviation also flourished, with rugged carrier-based planes like the F6F Hellcat dominating the Pacific. U.S. designs reflected industrial might and a doctrine of overwhelming air superiority.
Fighters
Carrier Fighters
Bombers
United Kingdom
British aircraft reflected a balance of agility, adaptability, and specialized roles. The Spitfire stood out for its sleek elliptical wings and dogfighting finesse, while the Hurricane — though more conventional — was sturdy and easy to repair. The RAF emphasized night combat, with British bombers conducting night raids into Germany throughout the war. Britain’s aircraft were often elegant yet practical, tailored to an island nation defending its skies and hitting back hard.
Fighters
Bombers
Germany
German aircraft design combined engineering precision with aggressive tactics, aiming for fast strikes and tight coordination with ground forces. The Bf 109 was a nimble, high-performance fighter, while the infamous Ju 87 Stuka was a terrifying dive bomber. German bombers like the He 111 and Do 17 were built for Blitzkrieg support—quick, coordinated attacks rather than sustained strategic bombing. Later-war designs included cutting-edge jets like the Me 262, showcasing German innovation despite production struggles. Efficiency and effectiveness in tactical roles defined the Luftwaffe’s style.
Fighters
Bombers
Soviet Union
Soviet planes were built to be rugged and fast to produce. The USSR prioritized simplicity, survivability, and mass production, leading to fighters like the Yak-3 and La-5, which were nimble, aggressive, and excelled at low altitudes—perfect for the Eastern Front. Bombers like the Pe-2 were versatile, and aircraft often doubled roles out of necessity. Soviet aviation emphasized function over form: if a plane could fly from a rough field and take a beating, it was good enough.
Fighters
Bombers
Japan
Japanese aircraft reflected a philosophy of lightness, maneuverability, and long range, often at the cost of armor and self-sealing fuel tanks. The Mitsubishi A6M epitomized this: incredibly agile and deadly in the early war, but increasingly vulnerable as Allied planes got tougher. Japanese design favored offensive reach and pilot skill over protection, which worked well early but proved costly later. Their aircraft were elegant and deadly, but often too lightly built for sustained combat.
Fighters
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress (1938) Specifications Crew 10 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier / nose gunner, flight engineer/top turret gunner, radio operator, 2 × waist gunners, ball turret gunner, tail gunner) Engine 4 × Wright R-1820 Cyclone 9 Length 22.66 m / 74 ft 4 in Wingspan 31.62 m / 103 ft 9 in Height 5.82 m / 19 ft 1 in Wing Area 131.92 m² / 1420 sq ft Empty Weight 16391 kg / 36135 lb Take-off Weight 29700 kg / 65500 lb Maximum Speed 462 km/h / 287 mph Range 3219 km / 2000 mi Ceiling 10850 m / 35600 ft Armament 13 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 7800 kg (17600 lb) of bombs
Boeing B-29 Superfortress (1942) Specifications Crew 11 (Pilot, co-pilot, bombardier, flight engineer, navigator, radio operator, radar observer, right gunner, left gunner, central fire control, tail gunner) Engine 4 × Wright R-3350-23 Duplex-Cyclone Length 30.18 m / 99 ft 0 in Wingspan 43.05 m / 141 ft 3 in Height 8.46 m / 27 ft 9 in Wing Area 161.3 m² / 1736 sq ft Empty Weight 33793 kg / 74500 lb Take-off Weight 54431 kg / 120000 lb Maximum Speed 575 km/h / 357 mph Range 5230 km / 3250 mi Ceiling 9710 m / 31850 ft Armament 10 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 2 × .50 BMG cannons, 9100 kg (20000 lb) of bombs
Consolidated B-24 Liberator (1941) Specifications Crew 11 (pilot, co-pilot, navigator, bombardier, radio operator, nose turret, top turret, 2 × waist gunners, ball turret, tail gunner) Engine 4 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-35 Twin Wasp Length 320.2 m / 66 ft 3 in Wingspan 33.6 m / 110 ft 3 in Height 5.5 m / 18 ft 1 in Wing Area 97.4 m² / 1048.40 sq ft Empty Weight 16556 kg / 36500 lb Take-off Weight 24948 kg / 55000 lb Maximum Speed 487 km/h / 303 mph Range 4580 km / 2846 mile Ceiling 9750 m / 32000 ft Armament 10 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 5800 kg (12800 lb) of bombs
Grumman F4F Wildcat (1940) Specifications Crew 1 Engine 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 Length 11.58 m / 38 ft 0 in Wingspan 8.76 m / 29 ft 9 in Height 2.81 m / 9 ft 3 in Wing Area 24.15 m² / 259.95 sq ft Empty Weight 2612 kg / 5759 lb Take-off Weight 3607 kg / 7952 lb Maximum Speed 512 km/h / 318 mph Range 1239 km / 770 mi Ceiling 12010 m / 39400 ft Armament 6 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 2 × 45 kg (100 lb) of bombs
Grumman F6F Hellcat (1942) Specifications Crew 1 Engine 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp Length 10.24 m / 34 ft 7 in Wingspan 13.06 m / 43 ft 10 in Height 4.11 m / 14 ft 6 in Wing Area 31.03 m² / 334.00 sq ft Empty Weight 4152 kg / 9154 lb Take-off Weight 6991 kg / 15413 lb Maximum Speed 612 km/h / 380 mph Range 2462 km / 1530 mi Ceiling 11370 m / 37300 ft Armament 6 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 2 × 453 kg (1000 lb) of bombs or 6 × 127 mm (5 in) rockets
Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1939) P-38 Lightning Crew 2 Engine 2 × Allison V-1710 Length 11.53 m / 37 ft 10 in Wingspan 15.85 m / 52 ft 0 in Height 3.91 m / 12 ft 10 in Wing Area 30.43 m² / 327.5 sq ft Empty Weight 5806 kg / 12800 lb Take-off Weight 7938 kg / 17500 lb Maximum Speed 666 km/h / 414 mph Range 2100 km / 1300 mi Ceiling 13700 m / 45000 ft Armament 1 × Hispano M2(C) 20 mm cannon, 4 × 0.50 in (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns, 2 × 726 kg (1600 lb) of bombs
North American B-25 Mitchell (1941) Specifications Crew 5 (pilot, navigator/bombardier, turret gunner/engineer, radio operator/waist gunner, tail gunner) Engine 2 × Wright R-2600-92 Twin Cyclone Length 16.13 m / 53 ft 11 in Wingspan 20.6 m / 68 ft 7 in Height 4.98 m / 16 ft 4 in Wing Area 56.67 m² / 609.99 sq ft Empty Weight 8836 kg / 19480 lb Take-off Weight 15876 kg / 35001 lb Maximum Speed 438 km/h / 272 mph Range 2173 km / 1350 mi Ceiling 7375 m / 24200 ft Armament 12 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 1361 kg (3000 lb) of bombs
North American P-51 Mustang (1940) Specifications Crew 1 Engine 1 × Packard V-1650-7 Merlin Length 9.83 m / 32 ft 3 in Wingspan 11.28 m / 37 ft 0 in Height 2.64 m / 9 ft 8 in Wing Area 21.65 m² / 233.04 sq ft Empty Weight 3232 kg / 7125 lb Take-off Weight 5488 kg / 12099 lb Maximum Speed 703 km/h / 437 mph Range 3347 km / 2080 mi Ceiling 12770 m / 41900 ft Armament 6 × 12.7 mm (0.50 in) M2 Browning machine guns, 454 kg (1000 lb) of bombs
