List of aircraft of World War II

The List of aircraft of World War II includes all the aircraft used by those countries which were at war during World War II from the period between their joining the conflict and the conflict ending for them. Aircraft developed but not used operationally in the war are in the prototypes section at the end. Prototypes for aircraft that entered service under a different design number are ignored in favour of the service version. The date the aircraft entered service, or was first flown if the service date is unknown or it did not enter service follows the name, followed by the country of origin and major wartime users. Aircraft used for multiple roles are generally only listed under their primary role unless specialized versions were built for other roles. Aircraft used by neutral countries such as Spain, Switzerland and Sweden or countries which did no significant fighting such as those of South America, are not included.

Contents

Operational Aircraft

Fighter Aircraft

Biplane Fighters

Single Engined, Single Seat Monoplane Fighters and Fighter Bombers

Heavy Fighters (Multi-Engined or Multi-seat) and Night Fighters

Jet and Rocket Propelled Fighters

Bomber & Attack Aircraft

Heavy Bombers

Medium Bombers

Light Bombers and Close Support Aircraft

Carrier-based Naval Bombers

Army Co-operation, Observation and Tactical Reconnaissance Aircraft

Strategic and Photo Reconnaissance Aircraft

Seaplanes

Flying Boats

Floatplanes

Transport and Utility Aircraft

Passenger and Cargo Aircraft

Communications, Utility and Light Transport Aircraft

Many aircraft in this category were impressed into service and some served in very small numbers. The country of origin (listed first) may not itself have used it in a military capacity, and the date represents its original entry into service, not when it was first used by a military organization.

Liaison Aircraft

Transport Gliders

Trainer Aircraft

Primary trainers are used for basic flight training. Advanced trainers were used for familiarization with the more complex systems and higher speeds of combat aircraft, and for air combat or aerobatic training. Multi-engined trainers were used to ready pilots for flying multi-engine bombers and transports, and to train both navigators and flight engineers. Many nations (most notably Japan, Germany and the USSR) used obsolete combat types for advanced training rather than building types specifically for the role, while the UK often used such types as target tugs, towing a drogue for student gunners to practice on. Intermediate trainers were tried in several countries to reduce the attrition associated with the step up to advanced trainers but additional hours at the primary stage reduced the need for them.

Glider Trainers

Primary Trainers

Advanced Trainers

Multi-Engine Trainers

Target Tugs and Misc Trainers

Rotorcraft

Lighter than Air

Rockets, Missiles and Drones

Prototypes

Prototypes were aircraft that were intended to enter service but did not, either due to changing requirements, failing to meet requirements, other problems, or the end of the war. If the aircraft was deployed to regular squadrons or used in an operational capacity other than evaluation, it should be listed above under its appropriate type. Napkinwaffe, paper projects and aircraft that first flew after the war are not included.

Fighter Prototypes

Single Engined, Single Seat Fighters, Fighter-bombers and Jet Fighters

Heavy Fighters (Multi-Engined or Multi-seat) and Night Fighters

Bomber and Attack Aircraft Prototypes

Transport Prototypes

Glider Prototypes

Trainer Prototypes

Rotorcraft Prototypes

Missile Prototypes

Miscellaneous Prototypes

Experimental Aircraft

Aircraft intended to prove a concept or idea and which were not intended or suitable for military service.

Flight Behaviour Research

Engine Research

Misc Research

See also

References

External links