United States' North American P-51 Mustang fighter

The best fighter to be designed, produced, and used during World War II was the United States' North American P-51 Mustang.
I've added pages for these models as well, though only the P-51D has anything more than just photos:

• P-51A
  
• P-51B
  
• P-51C
  
• P-51D

United States' North American B-25 Mitchell bomber

I think that one of the work horses of the United States in World War II was the North American B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.

At a time when morale in the United States was very low the B-25 was instrumental in giving it a boost with the raid on Tokyo by Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle in April 1942.


Even more photos are available.

Japan's Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Gale) fighter

One of the best Japanese Army fighters to be produced during World War II was the Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Allied code name Frank). It was said to be an exceptional fighter and with a trained pilot could easily take on any Allied fighter that went up against it.

Unfortunately I have only one photo, if any one has more feel free to post them!

Japan's Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (peregrine falcon) fighter

The primary fighter for the Japanese Army in the early years of World War II was the Nakajima K-43 Hayabusa.

If there hadn't been such a rivalry between the Japanese Army and Navy, the Mitsubishi A6M Zeke might have become the main fighter for both services. The Army choose to use the Ki-43 even though it wasn't as capable.
Allied fighter pilots often mistaken the A6M for the Ki-43 in their combat reports. I can easily see why that would happen as the designs are very similar and under combat conditions positive identifications were near impossible.


Note: I often time think of World War II starting with the war in China, not the war in Poland.

France's Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 fighter

The French in World War II introduced a new fighter plane, but unfortunately for them it was nearly obsolete before it was used in combat. The Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 might have been a capable fighter for the 1930s, but by 1940 is was outclassed by the enemy.

Japan's Mitsubishi G4M bomber

The bomber in World War II that was sometimes called the Flying Cigar was the Japanese Mitsubishi G4M medium bomber. The Allies called it the Betty.

I've added several pages for the different models of the G4M:

• G4M
• G4M1
• G4M2
  

Additional photos.

Japan's Mitsubishi A6M fighter, Zero

One of the fighters in the early months of World War II in the Pacific that had the most feared reputation was the Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero.

Japan's Mitsubishi A5M "Claude" fighter

I've added a page for the highly maneuverable, early war, Japanese naval fighter, the Mitsubishi A5M "Claude." It started its career as a land based navy fighter in China.

Here's one of several pictures of the A5M that I've added:

Soviet Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighter

The Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-1 and MiG-3 fighters were used primarily in the early years of the invasion of the Soviet Union in World War II. I find that the fighters are some of the most intriguing just from a visual aesthetic point of view. The long engine with the propeller ending in a point makes it look to me like a bullet.

Unfortunately the source I'm currently using doesn't have much information on the MiG-1, which I hope to rectify in the future when I start using another source.

I've also added a couple photos of the MiG-3:



If anyone has any photos of the MiG-1 or more of the MiG-3 I'd be happy to post them if you send them my way!

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant transport

I've added a page for the very large Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant transport used by Germany in World War II.

Here's one of several photos that I've added as well:

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 262 Fighter "Schwalbe" (Swallow)

One of the most technologically advanced fighter to be developed by Germany in World War II was the Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. I've added some additional historical information, specifications, and pictures.



Here's even more photos!

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter, Zerstörer (destroyer)

I've added a new page for the Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter that initially was a success for Germany in World War II, but was quickly outclassed by Allied fighters.


I also added additional photos of the Bf 110.

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf. 109 Fighter

I added some more historical information for the German World War II fighter, the Messerschmitt Bf 109 and one of its models the Bf 109 E.

United States' Martin PBM Mariner flying boat

I added a new page for the lesser well known flying boat that the United States used in World War II, the Martin PBM Mariner.




Additional photos of the PBM are available.

United States' Martin B-26 Marauder bomber

I've added a page for what I consider one of the more elegant looking bombers of World War II, the United States' Martin B-26 Marauder.




Many photos of the B-26 are also available. Many of them of the B-26 in action.

United States' Martin 167 Maryland bomber

I've added a page for the Martin 167 Maryland light bomber used in the early years of World War II.

Unfortunately, I also only have one picture for it as well. If anyone has any feel free to send them to me.

United States' Martin 187 Baltimore A-30 bomber

I've added a new page for the Martin 187 Baltimore, A-30 light bomber.

Unfortunately, I don't have many photos.

Italy's Macchi MC.202 Folgore "Thunderbolt" fighter

I've added a new page for what was probably the best Italian fighter of World War II, the Macchi MC.202 Folgore "Thunderbolt".




I've also added a page for the Macchi MC.205 Veltro "Greyhound" fighter, but I only have a couple pictures at this time.

Italy's Macchi MC.200 Saetta "Lightning" fighter

Early World War II designs by the Italians were most often than not, obsolete before they came into service. The Italian Macchi MC.200 Saetta "Lightning" fighter was no exception.

United States' Lockheed Hudson bomber

I added a page for probably the most successful conversion of a civilian plane into a military plane, the United States' Lockheed Hudson bomber.

United States' Lockheed PV-1 Ventura bomber

Descended from a passenger plane, the World War II United States' Lockheed PV-1 Ventura was used very successfully as a maritime patrol plane.

United States' Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star fighter

I've now put up a new page on the United States' Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star jet fighter.
Unfortunately due to the end of World War II it didn't see any combat.

United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter

I've added a new aircraft page for my most favorite plane from World War II, the United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning.

As long as I can remember I've always had an affinity for the P-38. The only model plane I ever built was a P-38M, all black, night fighter.
Some pictures of the P-38:



Additional photos of the P-38.

Soviet Lavochkin La-5 fighter

Added two pages for a couple of the best low level dog fighters of World War II, the Soviet Lavochkin La-5 and Lavochkin La-7.
Picture of the Lavochkin La-5:



Pictures of the Lavochkin La-7:



Unfortunately I don't have much historical information on the Lavochkin La-7, yet.

Soviet Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter

Added a page for one of the few all wood constructed fighter planes of World War II, the Soviet Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter.

Sources do say it wasn't that good of a fighter, but it was liked for it's durability. Some even said it was a bigger danger to its pilot than to the enemy.

Japan's Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Swallow) fighter

Added a page for the only liquid cooled fighter used in World War II by the Japanese, the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Swallow). It's Allied code name was Tony.

On occasion the Allies would mistaken it for a Messerschmitt BF 109. The German's did help with the design and licensed the Daimler-Benz DB 601A.

You can leave comments

I've opened up the blog for comments. However, for now I'll want to review them before letting them be posted. I really don't want spam or adult posts slipping through.

I'll try to approve them as quickly as I can.

Japan's Kawanishi H8K, Allied Code Name Emily

Added a page for probably the best float plane of World War II, Japan's Kawanishi H8K.
Was named the Emily by the Allies.

Japan's Kawanishi H6k, Allied code name: Mavis

Added a page for one of the best flying boats in the early years of World War II, Japan's Kawanishi H6k.
It was first used in the war against China. The two step hull design contributed to the H6K being one of the best handling flying boats in the water.
The Allies gave it the name Mavis.





Ever since I was little I always thought it would be very cool to have a flying boat to travel in.

Germany's Junkers Ju 90 and Junkers Ju 290 reconnaissance

Added a page for one of the largest reconnaissance aircraft produced during World War II, the German Junkers Ju 290. I can't remember ever seeing many pictures of this aircraft, but with only 40 Ju 290s being produced it's no wonder.

Now Blogging

I've decided to try blogging with Blogger . It'll be my way to indicate additions and changes to the site.

We'll see what else it might lead to.

Germany's Junkers Ju 188 medium bomber

Added a new page for the German World War II bomber, the Junkers Ju 188.

Germany's Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber

Added a page for one of the more versatile aircraft used during World War II, the German Junkers Ju 88.

Another page of Junkers Ju 88 photos.

Germany's Junkers Ju 87 "Stuka", Sturzkampfflugzeug, dive bomber

Added a new page for one of World War II's most terrifying dive bomber, the German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.

Many more photos of the Stuka.

Germany's Junkers Ju 86 medium bomber

Added a new page for the German early World War II medium bomber, the Junkers Ju 86.

Additional photos.

Germany's Junkers Ju 52 transport, "Tante Ju" (Auntie Ju)

Added a page for one of the most well known transport plane in World War II, the German Junkers Ju 52.

Soviet Ilyushin Il-4 bomber

Added a page for the Soviet long-range bomber the Ilyushin Il-4.

Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik close support

Added a page for one of the most produced aircraft in World War II, the Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 Shturmovik.