United States
Vought Corsair [Fighter]
In terms of fighter planes used throughout the war, the Vought Corsair broke the record for the fastest U.S. fighter plane in 1938 (at 400 miles per hour). The plane was originally developed by the United Aircraft Corporation, and was primarily used on the Pacific front. The first flight for the aircraft occurred in October of 1941, and was seen as an overwhelming success. Aside from its speed, the Vought Corsair held six machine guns, and the record of largest survival to kill ratio of any other aircraft. In total over 12,000 Vought Corsairs were produced during World War II (Simkin, "Vought Corsair").
B-25A [Bomber]
The B-25A series bomber was assigned to the U.S. Air Force in 1941. Originating from the North American Aviation company in 1938, the medium sized bomber held a variety of weaponry that was primarily used on the Pacific front. Key features of the B-25A series included a set of five machine-guns and the capacity to hold over 3,000 pounds of bombs (Simkin, "B-25A Mitchell"). Additionally, the bomber included an armored cockpit and self-sealing tanks. As development progressed, several issues arose. The addition of increased firepower, armor, and subsequently weight lead to a significant reduction in performance. For this reason, the B25-Series saw significant model revision before the end of the war (Sherman).
China
Chu X-PO [Fighter]
One of the only fighter planes to be developed by China during World War II took its first flight in 1943. The Chu X-PO, named after General Chu Chia-Jen, was a one-manned, four cannon aircraft capable of a max speed of roughly 300 miles per hour. The design of the plane was based of the U.S. Curtiss H-75 fighter jets. The first manufactured models of the aircraft were produced in the city of Kunming China. However, production was extremely limited due to many critical issues that prevented the aircraft from being used in battle ("Chu X-PO").
Martin B-10 [Bomber]
Although not developed by the Chinese, the Martin B-10 was one of the few bombers to be used by the Chinese Nationalist Air Force. The aircraft was designed and primarily used by the United States Army Air Corps. Key features of the Martin B-10 included its metal enclosure, retractable landing mechanism, and its speed in comparison to other bombers. Max speed of the bomber topped at roughly 200 miles per hour ("Martin B-10 Display”).
Britian
Spitfire [Fighter]
The Royal Air Force’s Spitfire fighter plane is most famous for its significant contribution to the Battle of Britain. Key Characteristics of the aircraft include an aerodynamic design, eight on-board machine guns, and a powerful engine. The first prototype of the plane surfaced in early 1936, and demonstrated great potential for the British Royal Air Force. The first operational aircraft was instituted in 1940. By wars end, the the Spitfire had been modified heavily (now able to fly over 400 miles-per-hour), and had been manufactured 20,000 times (Simkin, "Supermarine Spitfire").
Handley Page Halifax [Bomber]
The Handley Page Halifax was developed by the Royal Air Ministry as a double engine bomber in 1936. The final prototype for the aircraft took flight on August 17, 1940. Notably, the bomber held over 13,000 pounds of explosives, and over five machine guns. Speed, influenced by the weight of the aircraft, and Rolls-Royce engines, topped at the mid to high 200 mile-per-hour range. Between several revisions, over 2,000 Handley Page Halifax bombers were produced (Simkin, "Handley Page Halifax").
France
Bloch MB.150 [Fighter]
The Bloch MB.150 fighter plane was created to fit a 1934 requirement of the French Air Force to manufacture a new fighter aircraft with a speed over 300 miles-per-hour. After several years of development, the plane entered limited use in 1938. Specifically, the MB.150 featured a max speed of 316 mile-per-hour and a travel capacity of over 350 miles. Design of the MB.150 was standard of similar modern fighter aircraft with a metal exterior, a closed cockpit, and a two-part assemblage. Equipment present on the aircraft varied from four machine guns, to a set of two machine guns and two cannons. A limited number of MB.150 models (fewer than 1,000) were produced before the German occupation of France ("Bloch MB.150 (Series)").
Amiot 354 [Bomber]
The Amiot 354’s design was originally based off of a French mail-transport plane, but was later converted to function as a medium-sized bomber. The design of the Amiot 354 was standard of many bombers at the time, with the exception of a glazed nose (allowing for a superior view of the approaching landscape). At its max speed, the aircraft preformed at 300 miles-per-hour and had the travel capacity of nearly 2,000 miles. Equipment aboard the converted bomber included a single cannon and two (or three) standard machine guns as well as the ability to carry roughly 2,600 pounds of explosives. Availability of the aircraft began in limited numbers at the German occupation of France in 1940. However, once Germany overtook France, the Amiot 354 resumed a non-combat position ("Amiot 354").
Soviet Union
Yakovlev Yak-9 [Fighter]
The first Yakovlev Yak fighter aircraft was manufactured by the Soviet Union in 1941. The original design for the aircraft included the use of two machine guns. However, by the Yakovlev Yak-9, which was assigned in 1942, only one machine gun was present. Other key features of the Soviet fighter plane include a max speed of over 350 miles per hour, and a range of over 800 miles. By wars end, the bomber had been manufactured 30,000 times and had been a significant asset to the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe (Simkin, "Spartacus Educational").
Sukhoi SU-II [Bomber]
The Sukhoi SU-II bomber was the Soviet Union’s direct response to Joseph Stalin’s requirement for an aircraft that could assist ground troops in high-speed, low-flying strikes. The initial flight for the aircraft commenced in late 1937 with limited success. Therefore, the design was re-draw with a more powerful motor. At top speeds of later revisions (in 1941), the aircraft traveled at 300 miles-per-hour and met speed requirements. However the aircraft was classified as a light-bomber (only able to drop roughly 800 pounds of explosives) (Alex).
Germany
Messerschmitt Bf 109 [Fighter]
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter plane was designed by two German engineers in 1935. The key features of fighter included an enclosed cockpit, a retractable underside mechanism, and a powerful engine. At it’s top speed of nearly 350 miles-per-hour, the plane was able to travel 400 miles. As for on-board weaponry, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 carried two machine guns. Between inception to the end of the war, over 30,000 Bf 109 fighter planes were manufactured (Simkin, "Messerschmitt Bf 109").
Heinkel He III [Bomber]
The Heinkel He III bomber was the result of a German aircraft originally designed for transport after the Treaty of Versailles. After several revisions, Nazi Germany modified the plane to become the primary aircraft of the German Luftwaffe (especially in the Battle of Britain). In terms of specifications, the bomber was able to hold over 5,000 pounds of bombs, six machine guns, and superior visibility in context to other German bombers produced during the war (Simkin, "Heinkel He III"). The first prototype of the He III was flow in 1935. However, the aircraft did not see the light of day until 1937. The last of the He III aircraft were produced in 1944 (Sherman, "Heinkel He 111").
Japan
Mitsubishi A6M2 [Fighter]
The Mitsubishi A6M2 was a notorious Japanese fighter plane manufactured in 1939. Earlier versions of the aircraft began production in 1934. Key features of the fighter included a nearly 2,000-mile range, and two machine-gun arsenals. Notably, the A6M2 model was the primary assault aircraft used in the Pearl Harbor Attacks. By the end of the war, over 11,000 A6M2 fighter planes had been produced (Simkin, "Mitsubishi A6M2").
Aichi D3A1 [Bomber]
The first models of the Aichi D3A1 bomber were manufactured in late 1939 by the Aichi Kokuki Company. The total range and speed of the bomber were nearly 900 miles, and 250 mile-per-hour respectively. As for military capability, the Aich D3A1 was equipped with three machine guns and over 800 pounds of explosives. In World War II the plane functioned as a dive bomber, and was the primary aircraft used to bomb Pearl Harbor vessels in 1941 (Simkin, "Aichi D3A1").
Italy
Fiat G.55 Centauro [Fighter]
The Fiat G.55 fighter plane was regarded as superior to all of Italy’s previous fighter models. Developed by Italian engineer Giuseppe Gabrielle, the G.55 fighter plane was the first Italian plane to include a closed cockpit. Elements, of the G.55’s design included a metal aerodynamic exterior, a retractable landing mechanism, a high-profile German mount, and a system of stabilizers beneath the plane’s wings. Equipment attached to the plane included a cannon, and four (or more depending upon the specific aircraft) machine guns with hundreds of rounds of ammo in each unit. At its top speed, the plane clocked in at nearly 400 miles-per-hour and had the travel capacity of nearly 750 miles. The first prototype was finished in 1942, and in early 1943 the G.55 entered the Italian Air Force. By the end of the war, over 270 units were manufactured ("Fiat G.55 Centauro (Centaur)").
CANT Z.1007 [Bomber]
The CANT Z.1007 was a medium-sized bomber developed by the Italian Air Force in World War II. The first working prototype for the bomber took flight in early 1937 – with poor performance. After significant modification, the plane was able to reach a speed of over 200 miles-per-hour and travel 1,100 miles on average. The aircraft was primarily used from 1940-1942 in conflicts such as the invasion of Greece to demonstrate 2,500-pound explosive carrying capacity. By the wars end, multiple variations and manufactured models had been produced ("CANT Z.1007 Alcione (Kingfisher)").
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