World War II Vehicles, Tanks, Airplanes, and Ships

Latest Updates

22 October 2017, Japan's Kayaba Ka-1 autogyro

The precursor to helicopters, the Japanese Army had the Kayaba Ka-1 autogyros constructed to be artillery observation platforms. They were also used from escort carriers for anti-submarine duties.

 

20 October 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-119 light bomber

The Kawasaki Ki-119 was just starting to have its first prototype constructed when the end of the war stopped all development.

20 October 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-108 high altitude fighter

In early 1943 it was decided that development of an high altitude fighter should be commenced. The Kawasaki Ki-108 was the result and only four prototypes were constructed before the end of World War II.

1 - 15 October 2017, Germany's Divisions

I've been making some minor additions to Germany's divisions.

23 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-100 fighter, Army Type 5

Considered by pilots and crew to be the top Japanese fighter of World War II, the Kawasaki Ki-100 was designed to battle the high flying bombers. It could also hold its own against American fighter planes.

22 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-96 heavy fighter

The Kawasaki Ki-96 was designed to be a heavy fighter but Kawasaki thought it should be a single seat and the Imperial Japanese Army a double seat aircraft. Only three prototypes were built.

17 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-78 high speed research

In order to make an attempt at the world air speed record the KEN III project was started at the University of Tokyo. This was taken over by the Japanese military and designated the Ki-78. Only one prototype was constructed.

15 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-66 dive bomber

After seeing what the German's did in Europe, the Japanese decided to develop a dive bomber to support the Army. The Kawasaki Ki-66 was designed, but as it wasn't much better than other aircraft already in production it never went past six prototypes that were constructed.

10 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-64 fighter

There was only one prototype of the Kawasaki Ki-64 fighter produced, but it was unique in that it used two contra-rotating propellers and the wings for cooling.

8 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (swallow) fighter, Army Type 3 Fighter

The Kawasaki Ki-61 was a high performance fighter that if built in more numbers might have made a difference for the Japanese Army.

 

1 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-60 fighter

The Kawasaki Ki-60 wasn't as maneuverable as the Ki-61 and after three prototypes were constructed the design was abandoned.

1 September 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-56 transport, Army Type 1 Freight Transport

The Kawasaki Ki-56 was based on the Lockheed 14-WG3 transport. Only 121 were manufactured.

31 August 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-32 bomber, Army Type 98

The Kawasaki Ki-32 was the last Japanese Imperial Army bomber to have a liquid cooled engine.

25 August 2017, Japan's Kawasaki Ki-10 fighter, Army Type 95 Fighter Model 1

The Kawasaki Ki-10 was an extremely maneuverable biplane fighter that was well liked by its pilots.

August 2017, Japan

I've made updates to Japan's History, Air Formations, and Code Names.

30 July 2017, Japan's Aircraft Production

Japan's Aircraft Production could never keep up with the Allies once the United States was brought into World War II by Japan. Though the Japanese had a few excellent designs at the beginning they never urgently improved on them until it was too late.

22 July 2017, Italy's IMAM Ro.37 reconnaissance

The IMAM Ro.37 was used extensively in the Mediterranean area in the mid-1930s to 1943.

21 July 2017, Soviet Polikarpov U-2 bomber, trainer; Polikarpov Po-2 bomber, trainer

Nicknamed the Kukuruzhnik (corn cutter) by the Soviet troops, the Polikarpov Po-2 was manufactured in huge numbers.

16 July 2017, United States' Stinson L-5 Sentinel liaison

The Stinson L-5 Sentinel was used as an oberservation aircraft primary by the US Army and Marines.

14 July 2017, United States' Piper Grasshopper liaison

The Piper L-4 was the third of the Grasshopper series of liaison aircraft.

8 July 2017, United States' Aeronca L-3 Grasshopper liaison

The Aeronca L-3 was one of three manufacturers that manufactured the Grasshopper series of aircraft.

7 July 2017, United States' Taylorcraft L-2 Deluxe liaison

The Taylorcraft L-2 was one of three manufacturers that manufactured the Grasshopper series of aircraft.

6 July 2017, United States' Stinson / Vultee L-1 Vigilant liaison

A little over 300 of the Stinson L-1 Vigilant liaison aircraft were manufactured. They were widely used by the USAAF and RAF.

 

3 July 2017, Germany's Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu (Eagle Owl), Fw 189 "Flying Eye", reconnaissance

Used primarily on the Eastern Front the Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu was used for reconnaissance.

3 July 2017, Germany's Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork) observation, transport

Probably the best short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft of World War II the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was used as an observation aircraft.

2 July 2017, Germany's Henschel Hs 126 reconnaissance

The Henschel Hs 126 was initially used in Spain and was used in front line service until 1942.

1 July 2017, Japan's Tachikawa Ki-36 army cooperation, Army Type 98; Tachikawa Ki-55 trainer, Army Type 99

The Tachikawa Ki-36 was also an easy to fly plane and it was even made into the Ki-55 trainer.

Links

• Free Military Manuals
  Free Military Manuals have manuals in pdf format, The main aim of this web site is to bring WWII German Military Manuals no longer in print into the public domain for free.
• World War II Wiki
  Historical database for just about everything World War II.
• Panzers of the Wehrmacht
  Informative site dedicated to the men and vehicles of the German Armed Forces of the Second World War. Contains an excellent image gallery.

I was getting a lot of spam on my old contact address so here's a new one: query -AT- wwiivehicles.com.

Previous history of Additions / Changes / News to wwiivehicles.com.