The United States may have joined the Second World War later than some other global powers, but most combat aircraft produced by US companies became frontline aircraft for air forces worldwide. Simple Flying compiled a list of top United States Air Force (USAF) aircraft during World War II, as highlighted by AeroCorner.
5 Curtis P-40 Warhawk
Fighter and ground-attack aircraft
Crew: One
Length: 31 ft 8.5 in (9.665 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 3.5 in (11.367 m)
Height: 10 ft 8 in (3.25 m)
Wing area: 236 sq ft (21.9 m2)
Empty weight: 5,922 lb (2,686 kg)
Gross weight: 8,515 lb (3,862 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Allison V-1710-39 V-12, 1,240 hp (920 kW)
Maximum speed: 361 mph (581 km/h, 314 kn) at 15,000 ft (4,600 m)
Cruise speed: 308 mph (496 km/h, 268 kn)
Range: 716 mi (1,152 km, 622 nmi) at 70% power
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk is an American fighter-bomber aircraft that was designed and developed by Curtiss Wright. The single-engine aircraft performed its first flight in 1938 and entered service a year later. During World War II, most Allied militaries used the P-40 Warhawk as their frontline aircraft during combat missions.
With an operational range of 622 NM (1,152 km), the aircraft could carry multiple munitions, including six 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns and up to 2,000 lbs (910 kg) of bombs under its fuselage and wings. Curtiss Wright produced over 13,700 units between 1939 and 1944. The Brazilian Air Force was the last to retire the P-40 Warhawk in 1958.
4 Grumman F6F Hellcat
Carrier-based fighter
Crew: 1
Length: 33 ft 7 in (10.24 m)
Wingspan: 42 ft 10 in (13.06 m)
Height: 13 ft 1 in (3.99 m)
Wing area: 334 sq ft (31.0 m2)
Empty weight: 9,238 lb (4,190 kg)
Gross weight: 12,598 lb (5,714 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 15,415 lb (6,992 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-10W Double Wasp, 2,200 hp (1,600 kW)
Maximum speed: 391 mph (629 km/h, 340 kn)
Combat range: 945 mi (1,521 km, 821 nmi)
Ferry range: 1,530 mi (2,460 km, 1,330 nmi)
The Grumman F6F Hellcat is a carrier-based fighter-bomber aircraft designed and developed by Grumman. The aircraft performed its first flight in 1942 and entered service a year later. The single-engine aircraft was designed to replace the F4F Wildcat and served as a dominant fighter aircraft for the United States Navy (USN) during the Pacific War.
With an operational range of 1,330 NM (2,460 km), the aircraft could carry multiple munitions, including six 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns with 400 rounds per gun, two AN/M2 cannons, six HVAR rockets, and up to 4,000 lbs (1,800 kg) of centerline and underwing bombs. The manufacturer produced over 12,200 units between 1942 and 1945. The Uruguayan Navy was the last to retire the F6F Hellcat in 1960.
Related History: 5 Iconic Carrier-Based Aircraft From The Second World War While the British and Japanese boasted carrier-based aircraft that distinguished themselves early on, American aircraft dominated the later war.
3 Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Fighter aircraft
Crew: 1
Length: 36 ft 1 in (11.02 m)
Wingspan: 40 ft 9 in (12.43 m)
Height: 14 ft 8 in (4.472 m)
Empty weight: 10,000 lb (4,536 kg)
Gross weight: 13,230 lb (6,001 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
Powerplant: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder engine, 2,000 hp (1,500 kW)
Maximum speed: 426 mph (686 km/h, 370 kn) at 30,000 ft (9,100 m)
Range: 1,030 mi (1,660 km, 900 nmi)
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft designed and developed by US-based Republic Aviation. The aircraft performed its first flight in 1941 and entered service a year later. The high-altitude fighter bomber became one of the United States Army Air Forces’ (USAAF) primary ground-attack aircraft during the war.
Photo: Joe Kunzler | Simple Flying
With an operational range of 900 NM (1,660 km), the aircraft could carry a variety of munitions, including eight 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine guns with 425 rounds per gun, up to 2,500 lbs (1,100 kg) of bombs and ten unguided rockets. The legacy of the type persisted slightly longer, as it wasn’t retired from service until the Peruvian Air Force flew its last in 1966.
2 Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Fighter-bomber and night fighter
Crew: 1
Length: 37 ft 10 in (11.53 m)
Wingspan: 52 ft 0 in (15.85 m)
Height: 12 ft 10 in (3.91 m)
Wing area: 327.5 sq ft (30.43 m2)
Empty weight: 12,800 lb (5,806 kg)
Gross weight: 17,500 lb (7,938 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,600 lb (9,798 kg)
Powerplant: 2 × Allison V-1710 piston engine, 1,600 hp (1,200 kW) each
Maximum speed: 414 mph (666 km/h, 360 kn)
Cruise speed: 275 mph (443 km/h, 239 kn)
Combat range: 1,300 mi (2,100 km, 1,100 nmi)
Ferry range: 3,300 mi (5,300 km, 2,900 nmi)
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning is a piston-engined fighter aircraft designed and developed by Lockheed Corporation for the United States Army Air Corps (USAAC). The single-seat twin-boom design performed its first flight in 1939 and entered service with USAAC in 1941. The army agency used the aircraft in various aerial missions as a fighter bomber and a night fighter.
Photo: Brandon Bourdages | Shutterstock
With an operational range of 1,100 NM (2,100 km) and additional drop tanks, the P-38 could also be used as a long-range escort fighter. The aircraft was equipped with various guns, rockets, and bombs. The inner and outer hard points enabled the use of high-capacity rockets and bombs. Lockheed produced over 10,000 of the aircraft between 1941 and 1945.
Related The 5 Greatest Allied Second World War Bombers A number of UK and US built bombers stand out for important service and high production numbers.
1 North American P-51 Mustang
Fighter aircraft
Crew: 1
Length: 32 ft 3 in (9.83 m)
Wingspan: 37 ft 0 in (11.28 m)
Height: 13 ft 4.5 in (4.077 m) tail wheel on ground, vertical propeller blade
Wing area: 235 sq ft (21.8 m2)
Empty weight: 7,635 lb (3,463 kg)
Gross weight: 9,200 lb (4,173 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 12,100 lb (5,488 kg) 5,490
Powerplant: 1 × Packard (Rolls-Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin engine, 1,490 hp (1,110 kW)
Maximum speed: 440 mph (710 km/h, 383 kn)
Cruise speed: 362 mph (583 km/h, 315 kn)
Range: 1,650 mi (2,660 km, 1,434 nmi) with external tanks
The P-51 Mustang is a long-range general fighter and fighter-bomber aircraft designed and developed by North American Aviation (NAA). The aircraft performed its first flight in 1940 and entered service with the Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom in 1942. Global air forces primarily used single-seat combat aircraft during World War II and the Korean War.
Photo: FiledIMAGE | Shutterstock
With an operational range of over 1,430 NM (2,660 km), the aircraft could carry a variety of munitions, including six 12.7 mm AN/M2 Browning machine guns with 1,840 total rounds, up to 1,000 lbs (454 kg) of bombs and up to 10 T64 HVAR rockets. The manufacturer produced more than 15,000 units, and the aircraft flew with the Dominican Air Force right up until 1984.
What are your thoughts on the popular combat aircraft during WW2? Share your views in the comments section.
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