December 5, 1941: Two American dive-bombers fly over Miami on a training mission. (Keystone/Getty Images)
In 1909, the U.S. Army Signal Corps purchased its first aircraft, a Wright Model A. The first military role for an aircraft was reconnaissance, and by World War I military aviation grew to include several roles including scouts, artillery observers, fighters and bombers. World War II signified an era of rapid advancement in aircraft technology, with major performance and range increases and the introduction of aircraft into even more roles, forever changing the nature of warfare.
After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the need was recognized for both the advancement of technology and implementation of strategic aerial warfare. At the time, the Navy and Marine Corps air arms only had eight aircraft carriers, five patrol wings, two Marine aircraft wings, 5,900 pilots, 5,233 aircraft of all types including trainers, and a few air bases, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC). But thanks to the distance from the enemy as well as industrial power, the United States was uniquely suited to provide powerful aid to the Allied Forces that ultimately resulted in victory. The NHHC summarizes: "The United States built the ships, planes and equipment, and trained the land, sea and air forces that ultimately beat down the enemy, drove him from strategically located bases, cut off his raw materials, and placed the allied forces in position to launch final air and amphibious offensives against his homeland...as the awesome destructive power of the atom was released upon Hiroshima and Nagasaki."
WWII era aircraft can be found on display in museums across the country. However, to get the most bang for your buck, plan a trip to a museum which has several different aircraft on display, such as the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio or the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC (including the nearby Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.)
Read on to discover some of the most influential planes during WWII, their stats and where to see them.
Up first: A flying boat
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Produced by Consolidated Aircraft, the primary role of the PBY Catalina was a seaplane. Originally designed as a patrol bomber, Catalinas were used as anti-submarine warfare aircraft, patrol bombers, convoy escorts, search and rescue aircraft, and transports, according to the World War II Database. Since these were "flying boats" rather than the typical aircraft, no airfields were required, which allowed for great versatility in the South Pacific.
PBY Catalina by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Primary Role: SeaplaneMaiden Flight: March 28, 1935Armament: Two .50-cal. machine guns in the waist, two .30-cal. machine guns (one in the bow and another in a rear tunnel), and 8,000 lbs. of bombsEngines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830-92s of 1,200 hp eachMaximum speed: 184 mphCruising speed: 120 mphRange: 2,325 milesCeiling: 22,400 ft.Span: 104 ft.Length: 63 ft. 10 in.Height: 20 ft. 1 in.Weight: 36,400 lbs. loadedAverage Unit Cost: 222,799 (1939-1941)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was created to fill the Army's request for a large, multiengine bombers. According to Boeing, the prototype went from design board to flight test in less than 12 months.
B-17G Flying Fortress by the Numbers (Sourced by Boeing, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
First Flight: July 28, 1935 (prototype)Span: 103 ft. 9 in.Length: 74 ft. 9 in.Gross weight: 65,000 lbs.Top speed: 287 mphCruising speed: 150 mphMax Range: 3,750 mi.Ceiling: 35,600 ft.Power: Four 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-97 enginesAccommodation: 2 pilots, bombardier, radio-operator, 5 gunnersArmament: 11 to 13 machine guns, 9,600-pound bomb loadAverage Unit Cost: $301,221 (1939-1941)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
First used in combat by the British in Europe in 1940, the Grumman F4F Wildcat was an American carrier-based fighter aircraft manufactured by Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. Known as the Martlet among British forces, 81 of the aircraft were sent to the Royal Navy from July to October of that year, according to American Combat Planes of the 20th Century, which also credits the Martlet as scoring the first German Ju 88 bomber kill by American fighters flown by British pilots.
F4F Wildcat by the Numbers (Sourced by American Combat Planes of the 20th Century)
Maiden Flight: September 2, 1937Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1830-76 12,000 hp takeoffSpan: 38 ft.Length: 28 ft. 9 in.Height: 11 ft. 10 in.Gross weight: 6,158 lbs.Top speed: 343 mphCeiling: 35,000 ft.
Where to see one: Sea-Air Operations Gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
When the United States entered WWII in 1941, the Bell P-39 Airacobra was already in service as one of the principal American fighter aircraft. Manufactured by Bell Aircraft Corporation, soviet pilots in particular had great success with the P-39, who, according to the World War II Database, appreciated their air-to-air combat capabilities, particularly regarding the 37mm T9 cannons that could inflict heavy damage to enemy aircraft with only a few shots.
P-39Q Airacobra by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Maiden Flight: April 6, 1938Armament: One 37mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, two .50-cal. machine guns in the nose, two .50-cal. machine guns in packets under the wing, 500 lbs. of bombs externallyEngine: Allison V-1710 of 1,200 hpMaximum speed: 376 mphCruising speed: 250 mphRange: 650 mi.Ceiling: 35,000 ft.Span: 34 ft.Length: 30 ft. 2 in.Height: 12 ft. 5 in.Weight: 7,570 lbs. normal loadUnit Cost: 50,666 (1944)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
First flown in 1938, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force lists that more than 14,000 P-40s were built by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, which served in the air forces of 28 nations. In the United States, the official name for all P-40s was "Warhawk." The British Commonwealth and Soviet air forces used different names for later models; "Tomahawk" was used for models equivalent to the P-40B and P-40C, and "Kittyhawk" was the designation for models equivalent to the P-40D and later variants.
P-40E Warhawk by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Maiden Flight: October 14, 1938Armament: Six .50-cal. machine guns; 700 lbs. of bombs externallyEngine: Allison V-1710 of 1,150 hpMaximum speed: 362 mphCruising speed: 235 mphRange: 850 mi.Service ceiling: 30,000 ft.Span: 37 ft. 4 in.Length: 31 ft. 9 in.Height: 12 ft. 4 in.Weight: 9,100 lbs. loadedUnit cost: $44,892 (1944)
Where to see one: Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.
Often compared with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, the Consolidated Aircraft manufactured B-24 was a more modern design that boasted a higher top speed, greater range and a heavier bomb load. The majority of the first production B-24 bombers went to the Royal Air Force; however those ordered by France did not take delivery due to German occupation, explains the World War II Database. According to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, the B-24 was used in every combat theater during WWII. Its great range made it particularly suited for long, over-water missions in Europe and the Pacific.
B-24D Liberator by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Maiden Flight: December 29, 1939Armament: 10 .50-cal. machine guns and 8,000 lbs. of bombsEngines: Four Pratt & Whitney R-1830s of 1,200 hp eachMaximum speed: 303 mphCruising speed: 175 mphRange: 2,850 mi.Ceiling: 28,000 ft.Span: 110 ft.Length: 66 ft. 4 in.Height: 17 ft. 11 in.Weight: 56,000 lbs. loadedUnit cost: $215,516 (1944)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Used by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) and the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps for military transport during WWII, the design for the Curtiss-Wright Corporation manufactured C-46 Commando was originally derived from that of a commercial high-altitude airliner, the CW-20, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force also lists the greatest fame achieved by the C-46 during WWII as its use for the transportation of war materials over the 'Hump' from India to China after the Japanese had closed the Burma Road.
C-46D Commando by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Armament: NoneEngines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-2800s of 2,000 hp eachMaximum speed: 245 mphCruising speed: 175 mphRange: 1,200 mi.Ceiling: 27,600 ft.Span: 108 ft.Length: 76 ft. 4 in.Height: 22 ft.Max Weight: 51,000 lbs.Unit Cost: $341,831 (1939-1941)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
A mainstay of the Navy's World War II air fleet in the Pacific, the Douglas Aircraft Company's SBD Dauntless dive bomber had the lowest loss ratio of any U.S. carrier-based aircraft, according to Boeing. Boeing also credits a SBD (Scout Bomber Douglas) from the USS Enterprise as the first U.S. Navy aircraft to sink an enemy ship, and states that the aircraft type later destroyed 18 enemy warships, including one battleship and six aircraft carriers. Boeing attributes the way the SBD Dauntless was "able to achieve pinpoint accuracy by diving to the target, dropping the bomb and then pulling out of the near-vertical dive" to the dive brakes with which the aircraft were equipped: "Swiss cheese flaps" which were punched with 3-inch holes.
SBD Dauntless by the Numbers (Sourced by Boeing, World War II Database)
Maiden Flight: May 1, 1940Wingspan: 41 ft. 6 in.Length: 33 ft.Height: 12 ft. 11 in.Ceiling: 27,100 ft.Range: 1,205 mi.Weight: 9,353 lbs.Power plant: 1,200 hp Wright R-1820-60 engineSpeed: 252 mphAccommodation: Two crewArmament: 2,250-lb bomb load; two fixed, forward-firing .50-caliber machine guns and one or two flexible, belt-fed .30-caliber machine guns mounted in rear cockpit
Where to see one: Sea-Air Operations Gallery at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
The F4U Corsair was first introduced in December 1942 and quickly became known as the most capable carrier-based fighter-bomber of WWII. According to F4UCorsair.com, the F4U is often said to have been the most successful fighter plane of WWII based on a claimed 11:1 kill ratio.
F4U Corsair by the Numbers (Sourced by World War II Database,F4UCorsair.com
Maiden Flight: May 29, 1940Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-2800-8 2,000 hpSpan: 40.9 ft.Length: 32.7 ft.Height: 15 ft.Max Weight: 13,845 lbs.Speed 392 mph Ceiling 37,106 ft.Armament: Four .50 M2 with 400 rpg, two .50 M2 with 375 rpg, two 454 kg. bombs
Where to see one: Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Va.
The P-51 Mustang was the first U.S. fighter to fly over Europe after the fall of France. According to Boeing, the North American Aviation manufactured aircraft "made a name for itself by blasting trains, ships and enemy installations in western Europe and by devastating Axis defenses prior to the Allied invasion of Sicily and Italy."
P-51D Mustang by the Numbers (Sourced byBoeing, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Manufacturer: North American AviationPrimary Role: FighterFirst Flight (XP-51): May 20, 1941Wingspan: 37 ft.Wing area: 233 sq. ft.Length: 32 ft.Horizontal stabilizer span: 13 ft.Height: 8 ft. 8 in.Power plant: Packard V-1650 "Merlin" 1,695 hp V-12Speed: 425 mph indicated (490 mph in P-51H)Armament: (Various models) 10 "zero rail" rockets under wings; six .50-caliber machine guns; bomb racks for up to 1,000 lbs. of stores or extra fuel tanks under the wingsUnit Cost: $50,985 (1945)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Affectionately nicknamed the"Jug," the Republic Aviation Company's P-47 Thunderbolt was known for its ruggedness, firepower, and speed. According to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force , the P-47 was the most produced U.S. fighter, which served as a bomber escort and ground attack fighter. The museum lists the massive fighter as "one of the most famous and important USAAF fighters during World War II."
P-47D By the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Manufacturer: Republic Aviation CompanyMaiden Flight: May 6, 1941Armament: Six or eight .50 cal. machine guns and either 10 rockets or 2,500 lbs. of bombsEngine: One Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 of 2,430 hpMaximum speed: 433 mphCruising speed: 350 mphRange: 1,030 mi.Service ceiling: 42,000 ft.Span: 40 ft. 9 in.Length: 36 ft. 2 in.Height: 14 ft. 8 in.Max Weight: 17,500 lbs.Crew: OneUnit cost: $83,001 (1945)
Where to see one: World War II Aviation Gallery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
The Grumman Aircraft Engineer Corporation's TBF Avenger (designated TBM for aircraft manufactured by General Motors), was first flown in 1941. The World War II Database lists some of the benefits of the torpedo bomber: "They were designed with a versatile large bomb bay, which allowed them to be excellent ground support bombers when carrying bombs in the torpedo bay. Their advanced radio equipment also made them good reconnaissance aircraft."
While in service in the U.S. Navy during WWII, former President George H.W. Bush piloted a TBM Avenger. According to the NHHC, Bush's Avenger was hit during an attack mission on a Japanese radio station on Chichi-Jima. Despite this, he completed his mission and released bombs over his target, resulting in several damaging hits. He then retreated from the inland and bailed out of his Avenger, parachuting into the water where he waited for four hours on an inflatable raft until rescue came. "For his courage and disregard for his own safety in pressing home his attack, he was later awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross," reported the NHHC.
TBM-3 Avenger by the Numbers (Sourced by World War II Database, WarbirdAlley.com)
Maiden Flight: August 1, 1941Engine: 1,900 hp Wright R-2600-20 radial piston engineMaximum Takeoff Weight: 17,895 lbs.Wing Span: 54 ft. 2 in.Length: 40 ft 11.5 in.Height: 15 ft 5 in.Maximum Speed: 276 mph at 16,500 ft.Ceiling: 30,100 ft.Range: 1,000 mi.Armament: Two 12.7mm (0.5 in.) forward-firing machine guns, one 12.7mm (0.5 in.) dorsal-mounted machine gun, one 7.62mm (0.3 in.) ventral-mounted machine gun, up to 2,000 lbs. of bombs in bomb-bay, wing-mounted rockets / drop tanks / radar pod
Where to see one: The Duty, Honor, Country Gallery in the George Bush Presidential Library in College Station, Texas.
The Douglas Aircraft Company's C-47 Skytrain (or Dakota by the RAF designation) is another military transport aircraft that was developed a from a commercial airliner, the Douglas DC-3, according to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Vital to the success of many Allied campaigns, the World War II Database lists that C-47s were used to evacuate wounded at Guadalcanal and in the jungles of New Guinea and Burma as well as to airlift supplies to the embattled American forces during the Battle of Bastogne in December 1944.
C-47D Skytrain by the Numbers (Sourced by National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, World War II Database, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
Engines: Two Pratt & Whitney R-1830s of 1,200 hp eachMaximum Speed: 232 mphRange: 1,513 milesUnit Cost: $85,035 (1945)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio.
Perhaps one of the best known WWII planes is the "Enola Gay,"' a Boeing B-29 Superfortress that dropped the first atomic weapon on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, marking the beginning of the end of the second world war. Three days later, another B-29, "Bockscar," dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. On September 2, Emperor Hirohito surrendered. According to the Radiation Effects Research Corporation, an estimated total of 150,000 to more than 246,000 casualties were suffered by the Japanese as a result of the bombings, the majority of which were civilian. The ethical debate of the bombings continues; however, the fact remains that the bombing of these two cities by B-29 Superfortresses signaled the surrender of Japan and the end of the war.
B-29 Superfortress by the Numbers (Sourced by Boeing, Army Air Forces Statistical Digest, World War II)
First Flight: September 21, 1942Number built: 3,990Span: 141 ft. 3 in.Length: 99 ft.Gross weight: 105,000 lbs.Top speed: 365 mphCruising speed: 220 mphRange: 5,830 mi.Ceiling: 31,850 ft.Power: Four 2,200 hp Wright Double Cyclone enginesAccommodation: 10 crewArmament: 12 .50-caliber machine guns, 1 20mm cannon, 20,000-pound bomb loadUnit Cost: $509,465 (1945)
Where to see one: World War II Gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Dayton, Ohio. 'Enola Gay,' the B-29 that dropped the first atomic weapon on Hiroshima, is on display in the World War II Aviation Gallery at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.
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