Japan's Mitsubishi Ki-21 "Sally" bomber added

The Japanese combat aircraft had much success against the inferior defenses and equipment of the Chinese in the early years that lead up to World War II. Unfortunately for the Japanese crews this lead to the attitude that these early designs would be adequate for the upcoming war with the United States and Britain. The Mitsubishi Ki-21 was such a combat plane. It was kept in combat much longer than it should have been.

I've added a new page for the Ki-21.

Japan's Mitsubishi J2M Raiden (Thunderbolt) fighter added

The Japanese navy not only used carrier based fighters, but used land based fighters in defense of the Japanese islands. One such plane was the Mitsubishi J2M Raiden.

I've added a page for the J2M.

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

The Soviet Union fielded some very excellent fighters in World War II. Two of the early models that were good, but didn't quite stand up to the latest German fighters were the MiG-1 and MiG-3. The MiG-3 was regulated to being a escort for bombers and close support.

I've updated the sparse information that I have for the two fighters.

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant transport updated

The Germans resorted to using large transports to try and supply some of their troops on the front lines in World War II. Unfortunately the Luftwaffe had lost control of the skies and these transports were often shot down. One such plane was the Messerschmitt Me 323.

I've added specifications for the Me 323D-6 model and additional information for the different variants.

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

One of the most advanced fighters developed during World War II was the German Messerschmitt Me 262 jet fighter. However, by the time it got to the front lines Germany's situation was beyond hope. There weren't enough pilots let alone fuel to use the Me 262 in combat effectively.

I've added the specifications for the Me 262A-1a variant and some additional information on the other variants produced.

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 210 and Me 410 heavy fighter added

The Germans came up with a design to replace the inadequate Bf 110 heavy fighter, the Messerschmitt Me 210. It to was inadequate and then the Messerschmitt Me 410 was developed and used.

I've added pages and photos for each, though I don't have much info on the Me 210 yet.

Me 210:



Me 410:

Germany's Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet (Comet) jet fighter added

The only country to get jet and rocket planes in combat in World War II was Germany. The Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was a rocket powered fighter that did see action against the allies. Due to their high speed and few numbers they did not have much physical affect on the allies.
I've now added a page to my site for the Me 163 Komet.

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighter updated

The German's tried to develop a heavy fighter in the Messerschmitt Bf 110 that did see some early success, but when it went up against up-to-date fighters it had to be withdrawn from frontline service due to heavy losses.

Germany's Messerschmitt Bf. 109 Fighter updated

The top German fighter in the early years of World War II was the Messerschmitt Bf. 109. It had it's start in the Spanish Civil War and was produced until the end with around 33,000 planes produced. I've added listings of the variants and added specifications for the Bf 109G.

United States' Martin B-26 Marauder bomber updated

The Martin B-26 Marauder had a bad reputation of crashing, but it turned out that this reputation wasn't deserved.

United States' Martin 187 Baltimore A-30 bomber updated

The Martin 187 Baltimore was used by the Royal Air Force and South Africa Air Force in the Mediterranean.

United States' Martin 167 Maryland bomber updated

One of the early bombers exported to the French and British in World War II was the Martin 167 Maryland.

I've added specification for the Maryland.

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

The Italians eventually did use better designs and the Macchi C.202 was one of them. It used a license built Daimler-Benz engine that gave it excellent performance.

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

Unfortunately for the pilots of the Italian air force in World War II, the aircraft that they took into battle were not of modern designs and often did poorly against the newer designs of the Allies. One such fighter was the Macchi C.200. It was already outclassed by older allied designs such as the Hurricane.

I've added the specifications for the Series 6 and additional historical information.

United States' Lockheed Hudson bomber updated

When many people think of American bombers in World War II they'll typically think of the B-17, B-24, B-25, and B-29. However, early in the war there were bombers that lead the fight until the others came to the battle. One such bomber that was used a lot in the battles of the Atlantic was the Lockheed Hudson (also known as the A-28 or A-29).
I've now added additional specifications for the Hudson Mk IIIA and more information on the different variants.

United States' Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighter updated

One of the most originally designed fighter to be used in World War II was the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. It was able to hold its own against the more nimble fighters of Japan and Germany.

It has always been one of my favorite planes ever since I was a kid and built a 1/35 scale model of the night fighter version. It was an all black beauty. I've updated primarily the information on the variants.

France's Lioré et Olivier LeO 451 bombers added

If the French would have planned better and felt the urgency that was needed to rearm in the light of German aggression in the 1930s they might have been better prepared for the onslaught that came in May 1940. One of these weapons that could have done much more was the Lioré et Olivier LeO 451 bomber. There weren't enough of them and they were used in roles that they weren't designed for.

I've now added a page for this bomber to my site.

Soviet Lavochkin La-5 and La-7 fighters updated

The Soviets used the Lavochkin's for fast climbing maneuverable low-level interceptors. I've updated the pages for the Soviet Unions Lavochkin La-5 and Lavochkin La-7 fighters.

Soviet Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter updated

The Soviet Union had a very excellent early war design in the Lavochkin LaGG-3 fighter. It had a liquid cooled engine which ran into difficulties when they were maintained in the field. It was decided to give preference to radial engined fighters. I've added some additional specifications and historical information.

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

One of the few fighters that was in the Japanese arsenal that could reach the B-29 Superfortresses was the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. I've now added some additional information.

Japan's Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu (Dragon Killer) fighter added

The Japanese Kawasaki Ki-45 was designed to be the same concept as the German Bf 110, a heavy fighter.

Japan's Kawanishi N1K Shiden (Violent Lightning) fighter added

The Japanese in World War II had some really excellent designs for fighter planes. The most famous of all was the Zero which dominated the skies of the Pacific in the early months of World War II. Towards the end of the war a new design, based on a floatplane, the Kawanishi N1K Shiden was produced. It was a highly capable fighter in the hands of a good pilot. At this stage in the war most of the good pilots were already gone. Also there were production quality issues that plagued the N1K.

Japan's Kawanishi H6K, "Mavis", updated

One of the best flying boats to be used during World War II was Japan's Kawanishi H6K. It could go a phenomenal 3,780 miles (the Catalina could go 2,350 miles).

Germany's Junkers Ju 188 medium bomber updated

I've added more information on the different variants that the Junkers Ju 188 was produced in during World War II.

Germany's Junkers Ju 88 medium bomber updated

Often in World War II the planes were used for multiple roles, but the German Junkers Ju 88 may have been used in the most roles. It was a low, medium, and high level bomber. It was used as a night fighter and intruder. Over the ocean it could be used as a torpedo bomber. It was even a tank fighter and was sometimes used as a pilotless missile.

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

The plane that caused much terror on civilians and soldiers alike during World War II was the German Junkers Ju 87 Stuka.

United Kingdom's Airspeed Oxford ("Ox-box") trainer added

Even with all the famous bombers and fighters used in World War II, those pilots had to learn their trade in a plane such as the Airspeed Oxford.

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

I've added some additional information on the German Junkers Ju 52 transport that was used throughout World War II.

United Kingdom's Airspeed Horsa glider added

The United Kingdom saw how successful the German's used airborne assault troops in the invasion of the low countries that they decided they need a glider of their own to be able to use for airborne assaults. The Airspeed Horsa was selected. I've added a page for the glider in my site.

Soviet Ilyushin Il-4 bomber updated

The Soviet Union used the Ilyushin Il-4 to bomb Berlin for the first time in August 1941.

Ilyushin Il-2 Stormovik close support updated

I've added some additional information for the famous Soviet attack aircraft, the Ilyushin Il-2.

Germany's Henschel Hs 129 close support updated

I've updated my page on the German Henschel Hs 129 close support aircraft.

Germany's Henschel Hs 126 reconnaissance updated

I've updated the page for the German reconnaissance aircraft used during World War II, the Henschel Hs 126.

Germany's Henschel Hs 123 close support updated

The Henschel Hs 123 was obsolete before World War II, but it was so popular on the eastern front that some wanted even more of them produced. I've added some additional historical information.

Germany's Heinkel He 219 Uhu night fighter, ("Owl") updated

The German Heinkel He 219 Uhu ("Owl") was used with great success against the allies under the cover of night. I've added additional information to my web page.

Germany's Heinkel He 177 Greif bomber updated

I've added some additional historical information for Germany's Heinkel He 177 heavy bomber.

Germany's Heinkel He 115 floatplane, torpedo bomber, minelayer added

I've added a new page for the German Heinkel He 115 floatplane that was used during World War II.

Soviet Yakovlev fighters added

What most consider to be the best fighters that the Soviet Union produced in the Great Patriotic War (World War II) were the Yakovlev series:

• Yak-1
• Yak-3
• Yak-7
• Yak-9

United Kingdom's Westland Whirlwind fighter added

A fighter that could have had more potential in World War II if it would have had more resources (primarily a better engine) dedicated to it was the United Kingdom's Westland Whirlwind fighter.

United Kingdom's Westland Lysander observation added

I've added a page for one of the most famous spy planes that was used during World War II was the United Kingdom's Westland Lysander. It was used in many clandestine operations in Europe.

United States' Vought SB2U Vindicator added

During the 1930s many military aircraft designs were transitioning from biplanes to monoplanes. The Vought SB2U Vindicator was one of those pioneering monoplane designs that ended up being primarily used as a trainer in World War II, though it did see some limited combat early on.

Japan's Aichi E16A Zuiun (auspicious cloud) added

In World War II the Japanese did design some very nice planes, but due to the war situation they couldn't always be deployed effectively in their intended role. The Aichi E16A Zuiun was to be used as a reconniasance floatplane for ships but ultimately it was pressed into service as a dive bomber.

Japan's Aichi E13A added

I've added a page for the Japanese Aichi E13A floatplane that was used throughout World War II.

Japan's Aichi B7A Ryusei (shooting star) added

I've added a page for the late World War II Aichi B7A Ryusei dive bomber and torpedo bomber. If anyone has any photos, please send them my way!

Japan's Aichi D3A updated

Japan's early World War II dive bomber was the Aichi D3A. I've added some new specifications and some historical information from another source.

Aircraft Production updated

I've added figures for all aircraft production in World War II by the main combatants.

United States' Vought F2A Corsair fighter added

I've added one of the more successful fighters of the United States' used in the Pacific in World War II, the Vought F4U Corsair.

United Kingdom's Vickers Wellington ("Wimpey") bomber added

I've added a page for the Vickers Wellington used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) in World War II.

Soviet Tupolev Tu-2 bomber added

Probably one of the only military planes designed from a prison cell, the Tupolev Tu-2 was designed by Andrei Tupolev from the Butyrkii prison during World War II.

Soviet Tupolev TB-3 bomber added

I've added a new page for the massive Soviet Tupolev TB-3 bomber that was designed and built before the Great Patriotic War.

United Kingdom's Taylorcraft Auster reconnaissance added

I've added a new page for the United Kingdom's Taylorcraft Auster reconnaissance / liaison aircraft that was used in World War II. Often time these types of aircraft are overlooked by the more popular fighters and bombers, and I'm guilty of that as I hadn't known anything about this aircraft until I read about it.

United Kingdom's Supermarine Spitfire fighter added

Been out on vacation and have a new work schedule. Won't be able to update every day like before. Though hopefully will be able to make just as many updates in a week.

I've added a page for the quintessential fighter of World War II is the well known and respected Supermarine Spitfire that was produced by the United Kingdom.