Airplanes of the 2nd World War USSR. The best aircraft of the Second World War. Transport heavy bomber

Many countries entered the Second world war with outdated types of combat aircraft. This applies, first of all, to the countries of the anti-fascist coalition, while the Axis countries, which were the first to begin active operations (Germany, Japan), rearmed their aircraft in advance. The qualitative superiority of Axis aviation, which managed to gain air supremacy, over the aviation of the Western powers and the USSR largely explains the successes of the Germans and Japanese in the initial stages of World War II.

TB is short for “heavy bomber”. Was created in design bureau A.N. Tupolev back in 1930. Equipped with four piston engines, the aircraft reached a maximum speed of less than 200 km/h. The service ceiling was less than 4 km. Although the plane was armed with several (from 4 to 8) 7.62 mm machine guns, with its tactical and technical characteristics(TTX) it was easy prey for fighters and could only be used with strong fighter cover or against an enemy who was not expecting an attack. TB-3 at low speed and flight altitude and huge sizes was a convenient target for anti-aircraft artillery, including at night, as it was well illuminated by spotlights. In fact, it became obsolete almost immediately after its adoption. This was shown by the Sino-Japanese War that began already in 1937, where TB-3s fought on Chinese side(some with Soviet crews).

Also in 1937, production of the TB-3 ceased, and in 1939 it was officially withdrawn from service with bomber squadrons. However, its combat use continued. So, on the first day of the Soviet-Finnish war, they bombed Helsinki and achieved success there, since the Finns did not expect an attack. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, more than 500 TB-3s remained in service. Due to the huge losses of Soviet aviation in the first weeks of the war, ineffective attempts were made to use the TB-3 as a night bomber. Due to the commissioning of more advanced aircraft, by the end of 1941 the TB-3 was completely re-qualified as a military transport aircraft.

Or ANT-40 (SB - high-speed bomber). This twin-engine monoplane was also developed at the Tupolev bureau. By the time it was put into service in 1936, it was one of the best front-line bombers in the world according to their performance characteristics. This was shown by the civil war that soon began in Spain. In October 1936, the USSR delivered the first 31 SB-2s to the Spanish Republic, a total of 1936-1938. 70 of these machines arrived. The combat qualities of the SB-2 turned out to be quite high, although their intensive combat use led to the fact that by the time of the defeat of the Republic, only 19 of these aircraft survived. Their engines turned out to be especially unreliable, so the Francoists converted the captured SB-2s with French engines and used them in this form as training ones until 1951. SB-2 also performed well in the skies of China until 1942, although they could only be used under fighter cover - without it they became easy prey Japanese fighters"Zero". Enemies acquired more advanced fighters, and the SB-2 became completely obsolete by the early 40s.

By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the SB-2 was the main aircraft of the Soviet bomber aviation– it accounted for 90% of cars in this class. On the very first day of the war they suffered big losses also at airfields. Their combat use usually ended tragically. So, on June 22, 1941, 18 SB-2s attempted to strike at German crossings across the Western Bug. All 18 were shot down. On June 30, 14 SB-2, together with a group of other aircraft, attacked German mechanized columns while crossing Western Dvina. 11 SB-2s lost. The next day, when attempting to repeat the attack in the same area, all nine SB-2s participating in it were shot down by German fighters. These failures forced the production of the SB-2 to cease that same summer, and the remaining such vehicles to be used as night bombers. The effectiveness of their bombing was low. However, SB-2 continued to be listed in combat strength until 1943.

Aircraft designed by N.N. The Polikarpov was the main fighter of the Soviet Air Force in the first year of the war. In total, about 10 thousand of these machines were produced, almost all of which were destroyed or crashed before the end of 1942. The I-16 had many advantages that emerged during the war in Spain. So, it had a retractable landing gear and was armed with automatic 20-mm aircraft cannons. But maximum speed 470 km/h was clearly insufficient to fight enemy fighters in 1941. I-16s suffered heavy losses already in the skies of China from Japanese fighters in 1937-1941. The same main drawback was due to poor handling. The I-16 was deliberately made dynamically unstable, since it was mistakenly assumed that this quality would make it difficult for the enemy to fire on it. This, first of all, made it difficult for him to control his pilots and made targeted maneuvering in battle impossible. The plane often went into a tailspin and crashed. The clear combat superiority of the German Me-109 and the high accident rate forced the I-16 to be withdrawn from production in 1942.

French fighter Morane-Saulnier MS.406

The backwardness of the I-16 is clearly visible when compared with the MS.406, which formed the basis of French fighter aircraft at the beginning of World War II, but was already noticeably inferior in its performance characteristics to the German Me-109. It reached speeds of up to 480 km/h and was a first-class aircraft when it entered service in 1935. His superiority over Soviet cars the same class affected Finland in the winter of 1939/40, where, piloted by Finnish pilots, they shot down 16 Soviet aircraft, losing only one of their own. But in May-June 1940, in the skies over Belgium and France in battles with German aircraft, the ratio of losses turned out to be the opposite: 3:1 more for the French.

Italian fighter Fiat CR.32

Italy, unlike the major Axis powers, did little to modernize its air force by the start of World War II. The most popular fighter remained the Fiat CR.32 biplane, which was put into service in 1935. For the war with Ethiopia, which did not have aviation, its combat qualities were brilliant; for the civil war in Spain, where the CR.32 fought for the Francoists, it seemed satisfactory. In the summer of 1940 air battles not only with the English Hurricanes, but also with the already mentioned French MS.406, the slow-moving and poorly armed CR.32 were absolutely helpless. Already in January 1941 it had to be removed from service.

In World War II, the Germans had the following aircraft, here is a list of them with photographs:

1. Arado Ar 95 - German two-seat torpedo-bomber reconnaissance seaplane

2. Arado Ar 196 - German military reconnaissance seaplane

3. Arado Ar 231 - German light single-engine military seaplane

4. Arado Ar 232 - German military transport aircraft

5. Arado Ar 234 Blitz - German jet bomber

6. Blomm Voss Bv.141 - prototype of a German reconnaissance aircraft

7. Gotha Go 244 - German medium military transport aircraft

8. Dornier Do.17 - German twin-engine medium bomber

9. Dornier Do.217 - German multi-purpose bomber

10. Messerschmitt Bf.108 Typhoon - German all-metal single-engine monoplane

11. Messerschmitt Bf.109 - German single-engine piston low-wing fighter

12. Messerschmitt Bf.110 - German twin-engine heavy fighter

13. Messerschmitt Me.163 - German missile interceptor fighter

14. Messerschmitt Me.210 - German heavy fighter

15. Messerschmitt Me.262 - German turbojet fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft

16. Messerschmitt Me.323 Giant - German heavy military transport aircraft with a payload of up to 23 tons, the heaviest land aircraft

17. Messerschmitt Me.410 - German heavy fighter-bomber

18. Focke-Wulf Fw.189 - twin-engine, two-boom, three-seat tactical reconnaissance aircraft

19. Focke-Wulf Fw.190 - German single-seat, single-engine piston fighter monoplane

20. Focke-Wulf Ta 152 - German high-altitude interceptor

21. Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor - German 4-engine long-range multi-role aircraft

22. Heinkel He-111 - German medium bomber

23. Heinkel He-162 - German single-engine jet fighter

24. Heinkel He-177 - German heavy bomber, twin-engine all-metal monoplane

25. Heinkel He-219 Uhu - twin-engine piston night fighter equipped with ejection seats

26. Henschel Hs.129 - German single-seat twin-engine specialized attack aircraft

27. Fieseler Fi-156 Storch - small German aircraft

28. Junkers Ju-52 - German passenger and military transport aircraft

29. Junkers Ju-87 - German two-seat dive bomber and attack aircraft

30. Junkers Ju-88 - German multi-purpose aircraft

31. Junkers Ju-290 - German long-range naval reconnaissance aircraft (nicknamed the “Flying Cabinet”)

Once on the site we held an “Air Parade” competition dedicated to the anniversary of the Victory, where readers were asked to guess the names of some of the most famous aircraft of World War II by their silhouettes. The competition has been completed, and now we are publishing photos of these combat vehicles. We invite you to remember what the winners and losers used to fight in the sky.

Editorial PM

Germany

Messerschmitt Bf.109

In fact, a whole family of German combat vehicles, total of which (33,984 pieces) makes the 109th one of the most popular aircraft of World War II. It was used as a fighter, fighter-bomber, fighter-interceptor, and reconnaissance aircraft. It was as a fighter that the Messer earned its sad fame among Soviet pilots - on initial stage war, Soviet fighters, such as the I-16 and LaGG, were clearly technically inferior to the Bf.109 and carried heavy losses. Only the advent of more advanced aircraft, such as the Yak-9, allowed our pilots to fight the Messers almost on an equal footing. The most popular modification of the vehicle was the Bf.109G (“Gustav”).

Messerschmitt Bf.109

Messerschmitt Me.262

The plane was remembered not for its special role in World War II, but for the fact that it turned out to be the first-born of jet aircraft on the battlefield. The Me.262 began to be designed even before the war, but Hitler’s real interest in the project awoke only in 1943, when the Luftwaffe had already lost its combat power. The Me.262 had unique speed (about 850 km/h), altitude and climb rates for its time and therefore had serious advantages over any fighter of that time. In reality, for every 150 Allied aircraft shot down, there were 100 Me.262s lost. Low efficiency combat use was explained by the “crude” design, little experience in using jet aircraft and insufficient training of pilots.

Messerschmitt Me.262

Heinkel-111

Heinkel-111

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

The Ju 87 dive bomber, produced in several modifications, became a kind of forerunner of the modern precision weapons, since the bombs were thrown not from a great height, but from a steep dive, which made it possible to more accurately target the ammunition. It was very effective in the fight against tanks. Due to the specific nature of its use in conditions of high overloads, the vehicle was equipped with automatic air brakes to recover from a dive in the event of the pilot losing consciousness. To enhance the psychological effect, during the attack the pilot turned on the “Jericho trumpet” - a device that emitted a terrible howl. One of the most famous ace pilots to fly the Stuka was Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who left some rather boastful memories of the war on the Eastern Front.

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka

Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu

The tactical reconnaissance aircraft Fw 189 Uhu is interesting primarily for its unusual double-boom design, for which soviet soldiers They called him "Rama". And it was on the Eastern Front that this reconnaissance spotter turned out to be most useful to the Nazis. Our fighters knew well that bombers would arrive after the “Rama” and strike the scouted targets. But it was not so easy to shoot down this low-speed aircraft due to its high maneuverability and excellent survivability. When approaching Soviet fighters he could, for example, begin to describe circles of a small radius, into which high-speed cars simply could not fit.

Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhu

Probably the most recognizable Luftwaffe bomber was developed in the early 1930s under civilian guise. transport aircraft(it was forbidden to create a German Air Force Treaty of Versailles). At the beginning of World War II, the Heinkel-111 was the most popular Luftwaffe bomber. He became one of the main characters in the Battle of Britain - it was the result of Hitler's attempt to break the will to resist the British through massive bombing raids on the cities of Foggy Albion (1940). Even then it became clear that this medium bomber was obsolete, it lacked speed, maneuverability and security. Nevertheless, the aircraft continued to be used and produced until 1944.

Allies

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

The American “flying fortress” constantly increased its security during the war. In addition to excellent survivability (in the form, for example, the ability to return to base with one intact engine out of four), the heavy bomber received thirteen 12.7 mm machine guns in the B-17G modification. A tactic was developed in which “flying fortresses” flew over enemy territory in a checkerboard formation, protecting each other with crossfire. The plane was equipped with a high-tech Norden bomb sight at that time, built on the basis of an analog computer. If the British bombed the Third Reich mainly in dark time days, then the “flying fortresses” were not afraid to appear over Germany during daylight hours.

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Avro 683 Lancaster

One of the main participants in the Allied bomber raids on Germany, the British heavy bomber of World War II. The Avro 683 Lancaster accounted for ¾ of the total bomb load dropped by the British on the Third Reich. The carrying capacity allowed the four-engine aircraft to take on board “blockbusters” - the Tallboy and Grand Slam super-heavy concrete-piercing bombs. Low security implied the use of Lancasters as night bombers, but night bombing was characterized by low accuracy. During the day, these planes suffered significant losses. Lancasters actively participated in the most destructive bombing raids of World War II - on Hamburg (1943) and Dresden (1945).

Avro 683 Lancaster

North American P-51 Mustang

One of the most iconic fighters of World War II, which played an exceptional role in the events on the Western Front. No matter how well the Allied heavy bombers defended themselves when they went on raids on Germany, these large, low-maneuverability and relatively slow-moving aircraft suffered heavy losses from German fighter aircraft. The North American company, commissioned by the British government, urgently created a fighter that could not only successfully fight against Messers and Fokkers, but also have a sufficient range (due to drop tanks) to accompany bomber raids on the continent. When Mustangs began to be used in this capacity in 1944, it became clear that air war in the West the Germans finally lost.

North American P-51 Mustang

Supermarine Spitfire

The main and most popular fighter of the British Air Force during the war, one of the best fighters of the Second World War. Its altitude and speed characteristics made it an equal rival to the German Messerschmitt Bf.109, and the skill of the pilots played a big role in the head-to-head battle between these two machines. The Spitfires performed well, covering the evacuation of the British from Dunkirk after the success of Hitler's blitzkrieg, and then during the Battle of Britain (July-October 1940), when British fighters had to fight both German bombers He-111, Do-17, Ju 87, as well as with Bf fighters. 109 and Bf.110.

Supermarine Spitfire

Japan

Mitsubishi A6M Raisen

At the beginning of World War II, the Japanese carrier-based fighter A6M Raisen was the best in the world in its class, even though its name contained the Japanese word “Rei-sen”, that is, “zero fighter”. Thanks to the drop tanks, the fighter had a high flight range (3105 km), which made it indispensable for participation in raids on the ocean theater. Among the aircraft involved in the attack on Pearl Harbor were 420 A6Ms. The Americans learned lessons from dealing with the nimble, fast-climbing Japanese, and by 1943 their fighter aircraft had surpassed their once dangerous enemy.

Mitsubishi A6M Raisen

The most popular dive bomber of the USSR began production before the war, in 1940, and remained in service until the Victory. The low-wing aircraft with two engines and a double fin was a very progressive machine for its time. In particular, it was equipped with a pressurized cabin and fly-by-wire control (which, due to its novelty, became the source of many problems). In reality, the Pe-2, unlike the Ju 87, was not so often used as a dive bomber. Most often, he launched bombing attacks on areas from horizontal flight or from a flat rather than deep dive.

Pe-2

The most massive combat aircraft in history (36,000 of these “silts” were produced) is considered a true battlefield legend. One of its features is the supporting armored hull, which replaced the frame and skin in most of the fuselage. The attack aircraft operated at altitudes of several hundred meters above the ground, becoming not the most difficult target for ground forces. anti-aircraft weapons and the object of hunting from the outside German fighters. The first versions of the Il-2 were built as single-seat aircraft, without a gunner, which led to fairly high combat losses among aircraft of this type. And yet, the IL-2 played its role in all theaters of war where our army fought, becoming a powerful tool support ground forces in the fight against enemy armored vehicles.

IL-2

The Yak-3 was a development of the Yak-1M fighter, which had proven itself in combat. During the development process, the wing was shortened and other design changes were made to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. This lightweight wooden aircraft reached an impressive speed of 650 km/h and had excellent low-altitude flight characteristics. Tests of the Yak-3 started at the beginning of 1943, and already during the battle on the Kursk Bulge it entered into battle, where, with the help of a 20-mm ShVAK cannon and two 12.7-mm Berezin machine guns, it successfully resisted the Messerschmitts and Fokkers.

Yak-3

One of the best Soviet fighters, the La-7, which entered service a year before the end of the war, was a development of the LaGG-3 that met the war. All the advantages of the “ancestor” came down to two factors - high survivability and maximum use of wood in the design instead of scarce metal. However, the weak engine and heavy weight turned the LaGG-3 into an unimportant opponent of the all-metal Messerschmitt Bf.109. From LaGG-3, Lavochkin OKB-21 made the La-5, installing a new ASh-82 engine and improving the aerodynamics. The La-5FN modification with a forced engine was already an excellent combat vehicle, surpassing the Bf.109 in a number of parameters. In the La-7, the weight was again reduced, and the armament was also strengthened. The plane became very good, even while remaining wooden.

La-7

The U-2, or Po-2, created in 1928, by the beginning of the war was certainly an example of outdated technology and was not designed as a combat aircraft at all (the combat training version appeared only in 1932). However, to win, this classic biplane had to work as a night bomber. Its undoubted advantages are ease of operation, the ability to land outside airfields and take off from small sites, and low noise.

U-2

At low throttle in the dark, the U-2 approached an enemy target, remaining undetected almost until the moment of bombing. Since the bombing was carried out from low altitudes, its accuracy was very high, and the “corn bombers” inflicted serious damage on the enemy.

The article “Air Parade of Winners and Losers” was published in the magazine “Popular Mechanics” (

Battles in the air, involving more than one squadron of fighters and bombers, were fought just as actively as on the ground. We will tell you about the most famous models aircraft from this period of history.

Focke Wulf Fw 190 (Germany)

It belongs to the type of fast and maneuverable single-seat fighters, carrying on board a significant weapons reserve, consisting of 4 machine guns and 2 cannons. A bomb rack was also provided, mounted in the center of the lower part of the fuselage.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress (USA)

The airplane model was the most expensive "toy" in the United States of times. Development and implementation were carried out to the maximum extent possible short time. The designers had high hopes for it.

B-25 Mitchell (USA)

The model is simple to manufacture, easy to repair, but at the same time it performs full complex various combat missions. None of the twin-engine bombers of this time were produced in such quantities.

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (USA)

One of the popular aircraft of World War II.

Durable, with a long service life, and somewhat inferior in combat characteristics to similar enemy equipment.

Consokidated B-24 Liberator (USA)

A heavy military bomber, which, however, did not gain the popularity it deserved like the B-17.

Mitsubishi A6M Zero (Japan)

The successful fighter-interceptor, in the first six months of hostilities, stunned Western pilots. His superiority in the air was obvious, although after a while it faded away.

Grumman F6F Hellcat (USA)

The aircraft had several advantages: a powerful and reliable Pratt & Whitney R-2800 engine and a high level of pilot training.

P-51 Mustang (USA)

This aircraft model terrified Luftwaffe units. He not only accompanied heavy bombers on long flights, but also actively entered into battle, and, if necessary, attacked and destroyed enemy aircraft.

Lockheed P-38 Lightning (USA)

The best fighter of the Second World War.

Boeing B-17 (USA)

The four-engine bomber was the most popular modification of the time. Despite the undeniable advantages, US Congress approval for the purchase of this model to arm the country was delayed until the reality of the Second World War looming over the world became apparent.

Messerschmitt Bf 109 (Germany)

One of simple models Willy Messerschmitt, produced in large quantities.

Douglas SBD Dauntless (USA)

The deck-based dive bomber is a menace to Japanese cruisers.

Junkers Ju 87 Stuka (Germany)

A single-seat dive bomber popular during World War II.

Spitfire Supermarine Spitfire (GB)

British interceptor fighter used until the 50s.

Grumman F4F Wildcat (USA)

Single-seat fighter-bomber: participating in combat operations, it gradually became a leader and gained well-deserved fame.

Yakovlev Yak-9 (USSR)

A larger number of lightweight metal parts increased the speed and maneuverability of aircraft of this modification. Refers to fighter-bombers.

Chance Vought F4U Corsair (USA)

High speed and firepower explained the model's superiority in military operations with Japan. With its help, 2,140 enemy aircraft were shot down; the losses of aircraft of this model amounted to 189 units.

Messerschmitt Me 262 (Germany)

It was the first “swallow” of a group of jet fighters and the first model of aircraft of this class participating in military operations.

Martin B-10 (USA)

The mid-range bomber, with a high speed of 210 mph, flew at an altitude of 2400 feet - a breakthrough in the field of aviation.

Polikarpov I-16 (USSR)

An undeservedly forgotten aircraft in World War II history, the single-engine fighter had a wooden structure and plywood skin. Although it had some problems in flight, its high rate of climb and maneuverability made it possible to successfully introduce it into production.

There is a lot to be said about World War II. There are just a huge number of facts. In this review, attention should be paid to such a topic as aviation of the Second World War. Let's talk about the most famous aircraft that were used in combat.

I-16 - “donkey”, “donkey”. Soviet-made monoplane fighter. It first appeared in the 30s. This happened at the Polikarpov Design Bureau. The first person to take off in a fighter plane was Valery Chkalov. This happened at the end of December 1933. The aircraft took part in civil war, which flared up in Spain in 1936, in a conflict with Japan on the Khalkhin Gol River, in the Soviet-Finnish battle. By the beginning of the Great Patriotic War, the fighter was the main unit of the corresponding fleet of the USSR. Most pilots began their careers by serving on the I-16.

Inventions of Alexander Yakovlev

Aviation of the Second World War included the Yak-3 aircraft. It should be understood as a single-engine fighter, the development of which was carried out under the leadership of Alexander Yakovlev. The aircraft became an excellent continuation of the Yak-1 model. The production of the flying machine took place from 1994 to 1945. During this time, it was possible to construct about 5 thousand fighters. The plane was recognized the best fighter World War II, designed for low altitudes. This model was in service with France.

USSR aviation has gained a lot since the invention of the Yak-7 (UTI-26) aircraft. It's single engine aircraft, developed Used from a training aircraft position. Production began in 1942. About 6 thousand of these models took to the air.

More advanced model

USSR aviation possessed such a fighter as the K-9. This is the most popular model, production of which lasted about 6 years, starting in 1942. During this time, about 17 thousand aircraft were designed. Despite the fact that the model had few differences from the FK-7 aircraft, in all respects it became a more advanced continuation of the series.

Aircraft produced under the leadership of Petlyakov

When discussing a topic such as World War II aviation, we should note an aircraft called the Pawn (Pe-2). This is a dive bomber, which is the most popular in its class. This model was actively used on the battlefield.

The USSR aviation of the Second World War also included such a flying machine as the PE-3. This model should be understood as a twin-engine fighter. Its main characteristic feature It was an all-metal structure. Development was carried out at OKB-29. The PE-2 dive bomber was taken as the basis. The production process was supervised by V. Petlyakov. The first aircraft was designed in 1941. It was distinguished from a bomber by the absence of a lower hatch for a rifle installation. There were no brake bars either.

A fighter that could fly at high altitudes

During the Second World War, the military aviation of the USSR was supplemented by such a high-altitude fighter as the MIG-3. This aircraft was used in a wide variety of variants. Among the main differences is that it could rise to a height of up to 12 thousand meters. The speed reached a fairly high level. With the help of this they successfully fought with enemy aircraft.

Fighters, the production of which was supervised by Lavochkin

When talking about such a topic as World War II aviation, it is necessary to note a model called LaGG-3. This is a monoplane fighter that was in service with the Red Army Air Force. It was used from the position of a fighter, interceptor, bomber, and reconnaissance aircraft. Production lasted from 1941 to 1944. The designers are Lavochkin, Gorbunov, Gudkov. Among positive qualities should highlight the presence powerful weapons, high survivability, minimal use of rare materials. Pine and plywood were used as the main raw materials when creating the fighter.

Military aviation had the La-5 model, the design of which took place under the leadership of Lavochkin. This is a monoplane fighter. The main characteristics are the presence of only one seat, a closed cabin, a wooden frame and exactly the same wing spars. Production of this aircraft began in 1942. At the very beginning, only two automatic 20-mm cannons were used as weapons. The designers placed them in the front part above the engine. The instrumentation was not varied. There wasn't even a single gyroscopic device. And if you compare such an aircraft with those aircraft that were used by Germany, America or England, it may seem that it is very far behind them in technical terms. However, the flight characteristics were at high level. In addition, the simple design, the absence of the need for labor-intensive maintenance, and the undemanding conditions of the take-off fields made the model simply ideal for that period. In one year, about one thousand fighters were developed.

The USSR also contains mention of such a model as the La-7. This is a single-seat monoplane fighter, designed by Lavochkin. The first such aircraft was produced in 1944. It took off in February. It was decided to start it in May mass production. Almost all pilots who became Heroes Soviet Union, flew on La-7.

Model produced under the direction of Polikarpov

Military aviation of the USSR included the U-2 (PO-2) model. This is a multi-purpose biplane, the production of which was supervised by Polikarpov in 1928. The main goal for which the aircraft was produced was to train pilots. He was characterized by having good piloting qualities. When did the Great Patriotic War, it was decided to convert the standard models into light, night-time bomber aircraft. The load reached 350 kg. The aircraft was mass-produced until 1953. Over the entire period, we managed to produce about 33 thousand models.

High speed fighter

Military aviation of the Second World War included such a machine as the Tu-2. This model is also known as ANT-58 and 103 Tu-2. This is a twin-engine bomber that could develop high speed flight. Over the entire period of its production, about 2257 models were designed. The bomber was in service until 1950.

Flying tank

An aircraft such as the Il-2 is no less popular. The stormtrooper also bore the nickname “hunchback.” This was facilitated by the shape of the fuselage. The designers called this vehicle a flying tank. German pilots called this model a concrete plane and a cemented bomber due to its special strength. The production of the attack aircraft was carried out by Ilyushin.

What can you say about German aviation?

German aviation of the Second World War included such a model as the Messerschmitt Bf.109. This is a low-wing piston fighter. It was used as an interceptor, fighter, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. This is the most produced aircraft in the history of World War II (33,984 models). Almost all German pilots started flying on this plane.

"Messerschmitt Bf.110" is a heavy strategic fighter. Due to the fact that it could not be used for its intended purpose, the model was reclassified as a bomber. The aircraft has found widespread use in different countries. He took part in hostilities in various locations globe. Such an aircraft was lucky due to the suddenness of its appearance. However, if a maneuver battle flared up, this model almost always lost. In this regard, such an aircraft was recalled from the front in 1943.

"Messerschmitt Me.163" (Comet) - missile interceptor fighter. It first took to the air back in 1941 at the very beginning of September. It was not characterized by mass production. By 1944, only 44 models were produced. The first combat flight took place only in 1944. In total, only 9 aircraft were shot down with their help, with the loss of 11.

"Messerschmitt Me.210" is a heavy fighter that acted as a replacement for the Bf.110 model. He made his first flight in 1939. The model had several defects in its design, due to which its combat value was severely damaged. All in all, about 90 models were released. 320 aircraft were never completed.

"Messerschmitt Me.262" is a jet fighter that also acted as a bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The first in the world to take part in hostilities. It can also be considered the world's first jet fighter. The main armament was 30-mm air cannons, which were installed near the bow. In this regard, heaped and dense fire was ensured.

British-made aircraft

The Hawker Hurricane is a British-made single-seat fighter aircraft produced in 1939. During the entire production period, about 14 thousand models were released. Due to its various modifications, the vehicle was used as an interceptor, bomber and attack aircraft. There were also modifications that involved taking off the aircraft from aircraft carriers. Among German aces, this aircraft was called a “bucket with nuts.” This is due to the fact that it was quite difficult to control and slowly gained altitude.

The Supermarine Spitfire is a British-made fighter that has a single engine and an all-metal monoplane with a wing positioned quite low. The chassis of this model could be retracted. Various modifications made it possible to use the model as a fighter, interceptor, bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. About 20 thousand cars were produced. Some of them were used until the 50s. They were mainly used only at the very beginning of the war.

The Hawker Typhoon was a single-seat bomber whose production continued until 1945. It was in service until 1947. The development was carried out with the aim of using it from an interceptor position. It is one of the most successful fighters. However, there were some problems, of which the low rate of climb can be highlighted. The first flight took place in 1940.

Aviation of Japan

Japanese aviation during World War II largely copied the aircraft used in Germany. A large number of fighters were produced to support ground troops in combat. Local air supremacy was also implied. Quite often, World War II aircraft were used to raid China. It is worth noting that the composition Japanese aviation there were no strategic bombers. Among the main fighters are: Nakajima Ki-27, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu, Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. They also used transport, training, and reconnaissance aircraft. In aviation there was a place for special purpose models.

American fighters

What else can be said on such a topic as World War II aviation? The USA also did not stand aside. For understandable reasons, the Americans took a rather thorough approach to the development of the fleet and aviation. Most likely, it was precisely this thoroughness that played a role in the fact that production was one of the most powerful not only in numbers, but also in capabilities. By the beginning of hostilities, the United States had models such as the Curtiss P-40 in service. However, after some time, this vehicle was replaced by the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, and P-38 Lightning. Aircraft such as the B-17 FlyingFortress and B-24 Liberator were used as strategic bombers. In order to be able to carry out strategic bombing against Japan, the B-29 Superfortress model aircraft were designed in America.

Conclusion

Aviation played a significant role in World War II. Almost no battle took place without aircraft. However, there is nothing strange in the fact that states measured their strength not only on the ground, but also in the air. Accordingly, each country approaches both the training of pilots and the creation of new aircraft with a great degree of responsibility. In this review, we tried to consider those aircraft that were used (successfully and not so successfully) in combat operations.