German aircraft of the 2nd World War. Aviation of the USSR: aircraft of the Second World War. Armed to the teeth and very dangerous
Once on the site, we held an Air Parade contest 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 offer to remember what the winners and the vanquished fought in the sky.
Edition PM
Germany
Messerschmitt Bf.109
In fact, a whole family of German combat vehicles, the total number of which (33,984 pieces) makes the 109th one of the most massive aircraft of World War II. It was used as a fighter, fighter-bomber, fighter-interceptor, reconnaissance aircraft. It was as a fighter that the Messer earned notoriety from Soviet pilots - at the initial stage of the war, Soviet fighters, such as the I-16 and LaGG, were clearly inferior in technical terms to the Bf.109 and suffered heavy losses. Only the appearance of more advanced aircraft, such as the Yak-9, allowed our pilots to fight with the "Messers" almost on an equal footing. The most massive modification of the machine was the Bf.109G ("Gustav").
Messerschmitt Bf.109
Messerschmitt Me.262
The aircraft was remembered not for its special role in the Second World War, but for the fact that it turned out to be the first-born jet aviation on the battlefield. Me.262 began to design even before the war, but Hitler's real interest in the project awakened only in 1943, when the Luftwaffe had already lost its combat power. The Me.262 had speeds (about 850 km/h), altitude and rate of climb that were unique for its time, and therefore had serious advantages over any fighter of that time. In reality, for 150 Allied aircraft shot down, 100 Me.262s were lost. The low effectiveness of combat use was due to the "dampness" of the design, little experience in the use of jet aircraft and insufficient training of pilots.
Messerschmitt Me.262
Heinkel-111
Heinkel-111
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
The Ju 87 dive bomber, which was produced in several modifications, became a kind of forerunner of modern precision weapons, since it threw bombs not from a great height, but from a steep dive, which made it possible to more accurately aim the ammunition. It was very effective in the fight against tanks. Due to the specifics of the application in conditions of high overloads, the car was equipped with automatic air brakes to exit the peak in the event of a loss of consciousness by the pilot. To enhance the psychological effect, the pilot, during the attack, turned on the "Jericho Trumpet" - a device that emitted a terrible howl. One of the most famous aces pilots who flew the Stuka was Hans-Ulrich Rudel, who left 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 two-beam design, for which the Soviet soldiers nicknamed it "Rama". And it was on the Eastern Front that this reconnaissance spotter turned out to be the most useful to the Nazis. Our fighters knew well that after the "Rama" bombers would fly in and strike at reconnoitered targets. But to shoot down this slow-moving aircraft was not so easy because of 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 the guise of a civilian transport aircraft (the creation of the German Air Force was prohibited by the Treaty of Versailles). At the beginning of World War II, the Heinkel-111 was the most massive Luftwaffe bomber. He became one of the main characters of the Battle of England - 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" during the war constantly increased its security. In addition to excellent survivability (in the form, for example, of the ability to return to base with one 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" walked over enemy territory in a checkerboard pattern, protecting each other with crossfire. The aircraft was equipped with a high-tech Norden bombsight for that time, built on the basis of an analog computer. If the British bombed the Third Reich mainly at night, 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, a British heavy bomber of World War II. The Avro 683 Lancaster accounted for ¾ of the entire bomb load thrown by the British on the Third Reich. The carrying capacity allowed the four-engine aircraft to take on board "blockbusters" - super-heavy concrete-piercing bombs Tallboy and Grand Slam. Low security suggested the use of Lancasters as night bombers, but night bombing was not very accurate. During the day, these aircraft suffered significant losses. Lancasters actively participated in the most devastating bomb 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 the Second World War, which played an exceptional role in the events on the Western Front. No matter how the Allied heavy bombers defended themselves when raiding Germany, these large, low-maneuverable and relatively slow-moving aircraft suffered heavy losses from German fighter aircraft. North American, commissioned by the British government, urgently created a fighter that could not only successfully fight the Messers and Fokkers, but also have sufficient range (due to external tanks) to accompany bomber raids on the continent. When the Mustangs began to be used in this capacity in 1944, it became clear that the Germans had finally lost the air war in the West.
North American P-51 Mustang
Supermarine Spitfire
The main and most massive fighter of the British Air Force during the war, one of the best fighters of the Second World War. Its high-altitude and speed characteristics made it an equal rival to the German Messerschmitt Bf.109, and the skill of the pilots played an important role in the head-to-head battle of these two machines. Spitfires proved to be excellent, covering the evacuation of the British from Dunkirk after the success of the Nazi blitzkrieg, and then during the Battle of Britain (July-October 1940), when British fighters had to fight like German bombers He-111, Do-17, Ju 87, as well as with Bf. 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 external tanks, the fighter had a high flight range (3105 km), which made it indispensable for participating 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, quick-climbing Japanese, and by 1943 their fighter aircraft had surpassed their once dangerous enemy.
Mitsubishi A6M Raisen
The most massive dive bomber of the USSR began to be produced even before the war, in 1940, and remained in service until the Victory. The low-wing aircraft with two engines and double fins was a very progressive machine for its time. In particular, it provided for a pressurized cabin and electric remote control (which, due to its novelty, became the source of many problems). In reality, the Pe-2 was not so often, unlike the Ju 87, used precisely as a dive bomber. Most often, he bombed areas from level flight or from a gentle, rather than deep dive.
Pe-2
The most massive combat aircraft in history (36,000 of these "silts" were produced in total) is considered a true legend of the battlefields. One of its features is a load-bearing armored hull, which replaced the frame and skin in most of the fuselage. The attack aircraft worked at heights of several hundred meters above the ground, becoming not the most difficult target for ground-based anti-aircraft weapons and an object of hunting by German fighters. The first versions of the Il-2 were built single-seat, without a side gunner, which led to rather high combat losses among aircraft of this type. And yet, the IL-2 played its role in all theaters where our army fought, becoming a powerful means of supporting ground forces in the fight against enemy armored vehicles.
IL-2
The Yak-3 was a development of the well-proven Yak-1M fighter. In the process of refinement, the wing was shortened and other design changes were made to reduce weight and improve aerodynamics. This light wooden aircraft showed 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, he entered the battle, where, with the help of a 20-mm ShVAK cannon and two 12.7-mm Berezin machine guns, he successfully opposed the Messerschmites and Fokkers.
Yak-3
One of the best Soviet La-7 fighters, 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" were reduced to two factors - high survivability and the maximum use of wood in the construction 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 to OKB-21 Lavochkin they made La-5, installing a new ASh-82 engine and finalizing the aerodynamics. The modified La-5FN with a boosted engine was already an excellent combat vehicle, surpassing the Bf.109 in a number of parameters. In La-7, the weight was again reduced, and the armament was also strengthened. The plane has become very good, even remaining wooden.
La-7
U-2, or Po-2, created in 1928, by the beginning of the war was certainly a model of obsolete equipment and was not designed at all as a combat aircraft (a combat training version appeared only in 1932). However, in order 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 areas, and low noise.
U-2
At low gas in the dark, the U-2 approached the enemy object, remaining unnoticed almost until the moment of bombing. Since the bombing was carried out from low altitudes, its accuracy was very high, and the "corn" inflicted serious damage on the enemy.
The article "Aerial parade of winners and losers" was published in the journal Popular Mechanics (
Almost 70 years have passed since the Great Patriotic War, and the memories to this day do not let the inhabitants of Russia. In wartime, Soviet fighters were the main weapon against the enemy. Most often, I-16 fighters soared in the sky, which was called a donkey among themselves. In the west of the country, this aircraft model was more than 40 percent. For some time it was the best. The well-known aircraft designer Polikarpov developed fighters, providing for cleaning the landing gear.
It was in the world with retractable landing gear. Most of the body of the I-16 is made of duralumin, a very light material. Every year, the model of this fighter was improved, the hull was strengthened, a more powerful engine was installed, and the steering was changed. In the aircraft, the fuselage consisted entirely of beams and was sheathed with duralumin plates.
The main enemy of the Soviet WWII I-16 fighter was the Messerschmitt Bf 109. It was made entirely of steel, the landing gear was retracted, a powerful engine - the Fuhrer's iron bird - was the best aircraft of the Second World War of the German troops.
The developers of the Soviet and German fighter models tried to develop high speed and active takeoff in the aircraft, but paid little attention to maneuverability and stability, so many pilots died, losing control.
Soviet aircraft designer Polikarpov worked to reduce the size of the aircraft and lighten its weight. The car turned out to be shortened and rounded in front. Polikarpov was sure that with a smaller mass of the aircraft, its maneuverability would improve. The length of the wing did not change, before there were no flaps and shields. The cockpit was small, the pilot had poor visibility, it was inconvenient to aim, and ammunition consumption increased. Of course, such a fighter could no longer win the title of "Best Aircraft of the Second World War."
German aircraft designers were the first to use a liquid-cooled engine in the production of a winged aircraft, due to which it retained good maneuverability and speed. The front end remained elongated and well streamlined. It was the best aircraft of the Second World War from Germany. However, the motor has become more vulnerable than before in previous versions.
Of course, the German ones with powerful engines and aerodynamic shape surpassed their Soviet counterparts in terms of speed, accuracy and flight altitude. The features of the German aircraft gave an additional trump card in the hands of the enemy, the pilots could attack not only in the forehead or behind, but also from above, and then again rise into the clouds, hiding from the Soviet pilots. The I-16 pilots had to defend themselves exclusively, there was no question of an active attack - too unequal forces.
Another advantage of German technology was communication. All aircraft were equipped with radio stations, which allowed the pilots to agree on the tactics of attacking Soviet fighters and warn of danger. Radio stations were installed in some domestic models, but it was almost impossible to use them due to poor signal and low quality equipment. But nevertheless, for our patriotic pilots, the I-16 was the best aircraft of the Second World War.
During the Great Patriotic War, combat aviation was the main strike force of the Soviet Union. Even taking into account the fact that about 1000 Soviet aircraft were destroyed in the first hours of the attack by the German invaders, all the same, our country very soon managed to become the leader in the number of aircraft produced. Let's remember the five best aircraft on which our pilots defeated Nazi Germany.
At altitude: MiG-3
At the beginning of hostilities, there were much more of these aircraft than other combat aircraft. But many pilots at that time had not yet mastered the MiG, and the training took some time.
Soon, the vast majority of testers still learned to fly the aircraft, which helped to eliminate the problems that had arisen. At the same time, the MiG was losing in many respects to other combat fighters, which were very numerous at the beginning of the war. Although some aircraft were superior in speed at an altitude of more than 5 thousand meters.
The MiG-3 is considered a high-altitude aircraft, the main qualities of which are manifested at an altitude of more than 4.5 thousand meters. He has proven himself as a night fighter in the air defense system with a ceiling of up to 12 thousand meters and high speed. Therefore, the MiG-3 was used until 1945, including for the protection of the capital.
On July 22, 1941, the very first battle took place over Moscow, where the MiG-3 pilot Mark Gallai destroyed an enemy aircraft. The legendary Alexander Pokryshkin also flew the MiG.
"King" modifications: Yak-9
During the 1930s of the 20th century, Alexander Yakovlev's design bureau produced mainly sports aircraft. In the 40s, the Yak-1 fighter was put into mass production, which had excellent flight qualities. When World War II began, the Yak-1 successfully fought against German fighters.
In 1942, the Yak-9 appeared in the Russian air force. The new aircraft was distinguished by increased maneuverability, through which it was possible to fight with the enemy at medium and low altitudes.
This aircraft was the most massive during the Second World War. It was manufactured from 1942 to 1948, more than 17,000 aircraft were produced in total.
The design features of the Yak-9 were also distinguished by the fact that duralumin was used instead of wood, which made the air machine much lighter than numerous analogues. The ability of the Yak-9 to various upgrades has become one of its most important advantages.
Possessing 22 main modifications, 15 of which were built in series, it included the qualities of both a fighter-bomber and a front-line fighter, as well as an escort, interceptor, passenger aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, and a training flight machine. It is believed that the most successful modification of this aircraft, the Yak-9U, appeared in 1944. The German pilots called him the "killer".
Reliable soldier: La-5
At the very beginning of the Second World War, German aircraft had a significant advantage in the sky of the Soviet Union. But after the appearance of the La-5, developed at the Lavochkin design bureau, everything changed. Outwardly, it may seem simple, but this is only at first glance. Even though this plane did not have such devices as, for example, the artificial horizon, the Soviet pilots really liked the air machine.
The strong and reliable design of Lavochkin's latest aircraft did not fall apart even after ten direct hits by an enemy projectile. In addition, the La-5 was impressively agile, with a turn time of 16.5-19 seconds at a speed of 600 km/h.
Another advantage of the La-5 was that it did not perform a corkscrew aerobatics without a direct order from the pilot. If he did get into a tailspin, he immediately got out of it. This aircraft participated in many battles over the Kursk Bulge and Stalingrad, the famous pilots Ivan Kozhedub and Alexei Maresyev fought on it.
Night bomber: Po-2
The Po-2 (U-2) bomber is considered one of the most popular biplanes in world aviation. In 1920, it was created as a training aircraft, and its developer Nikolai Polikarpov did not even think that his invention would be used during the Second World War. During the battle, the U-2 turned into an effective night bomber. At that time, special aviation regiments appeared in the air forces of the Soviet Union, which were armed with the U-2. These biplanes flew over 50% of all combat aircraft sorties during World War II.
The Germans called the U-2 "Sewing Machines", these planes bombed them at night. One U-2 could carry out several sorties during the night and, with a load of 100-350 kg, it dropped more ammunition than, for example, a heavy bomber.
The famous 46th Taman Aviation Regiment fought on Polikarpov's planes. Four squadrons included 80 pilots, 23 of whom have the title of Hero of the Soviet Union. The Germans called these women “Night Witches” for their aviation skills, courage and bravery. 23,672 sorties were made by the Taman air regiment.
11,000 U-2s were produced during World War II. They were manufactured in the Kuban at aircraft factory No. 387. In Ryazan (now it is the State Ryazan Instrument Plant), air skis and cabins for these biplanes were produced.
In 1959, the U-2, which was renamed Po-2 in 1944, completed its brilliant thirty years of service.
Flying tank: IL-2
The most massive combat aircraft in the history of Russia is the Il-2. In total, more than 36,000 of these aircraft were produced. The Germans nicknamed the IL-2 "Black Death" for the huge losses and damage caused. And the Soviet pilots called this aircraft "Concrete", "Winged Tank", "Humpback".
Just before the war in December 1940, the Il-2 began to be mass-produced. Vladimir Kokkinaki, the famous test pilot, made his first flight on it. These bombers immediately entered service with the Soviet army.
Soviet aviation in the face of this Il-2 gained its main strike force. The aircraft is a set of powerful characteristics that provide the aircraft with reliability and durability. This armored glass, and rockets, and rapid-fire aircraft guns, and a powerful engine.
The best factories of the Soviet Union worked on the manufacture of parts for this aircraft. The main enterprise for the production of ammunition for the IL-2 is the Tula Instrument Design Bureau.
Armored glass for glazing the Il-2 canopy was manufactured at the Lytkarino Optical Glass Plant. The engines were assembled at plant number 24 (Kuznetsov enterprise). In Kuibyshev, at the Aviaagregat plant, propellers for attack aircraft were produced.
With the help of the most modern technologies at that time, this aircraft turned into a real legend. Once, more than 600 hits by enemy shells were counted on an IL-2 returning from battle. The bomber was repaired and sent back to combat.
There is a lot to be said about World War II. There are simply too many facts. In this review, attention should be paid to such a topic as the 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 in the Polikarpov Design Bureau. The first to fly a fighter into the air was Valery Chkalov. It happened at the end of December 1933. The aircraft took part in the civil war that broke out in Spain in 1936, in the 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 of the pilots began their careers with the service 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 aircraft took place from 1994 to 1945. During this time, it was possible to design about 5 thousand fighters. The aircraft was recognized as the best fighter of the Second World War, designed for low altitudes. This model was in service with France.
Aviation of the USSR has gained a lot since the invention of the Yak-7 (UTI-26) aircraft. This is a single-engine aircraft developed. It was used from the position of a training aircraft. Production began in 1942. About 6 thousand of these models took to the air.
More advanced model
Aviation of the USSR had such a fighter as the K-9. This is the most massive model, the 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 perfect continuation of the series.
Aircraft produced under the direction of Petlyakov
When discussing such a topic as the aviation of the Second World War, it should be noted the plane called the Pawn (Pe-2). This is a dive bomber, which is the most massive in its class. This model was actively used on the battlefields.
Aviation of the USSR of the Second World War included in its composition such an aircraft as the PE-3. This model should be understood as a twin-engine fighter. Its main characteristic was its all-metal construction. The development was carried out in OKB-29. The PE-2 dive bomber was taken as the basis. V. Petlyakov supervised the production process. The first aircraft was designed in 1941. It was distinguished from the bomber by the absence of a lower hatch for a rifle installation. There were no brake bars either.
Fighter that could fly at high altitudes
The military aviation of the USSR during the Second World War was supplemented by such a high-altitude fighter as the MIG-3. This aircraft was used in a wide variety of ways. Among the main differences, one can single out the fact that he could rise to a height of up to 12 thousand meters. The speed at the same time reached a fairly high level. With the help of this, they successfully fought against enemy aircraft.
Fighters, the production of which was led by Lavochkin
Speaking on such a topic as World War II aviation, it is necessary to note a model called LaGG-3. This is a monoplane fighter, which was in service with the Red Army Air Force. It was used from the position of a fighter, interceptor, bomber, reconnaissance. Production lasted from 1941 to 1944. The designers are Lavochkin, Gorbunov, Gudkov. Among the positive qualities, one should highlight the presence of powerful weapons, high survivability, minimal use of rare materials. Pine and plywood were used as the main inputs in the creation of the fighter.
Military aviation had in its possession 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 place, a closed cockpit, a wooden frame and exactly the same wing spars. The production of this aircraft began in 1942. At the very beginning, only two automatic 20-mm cannons were used as weapons. Designers placed them in front of the motor. Instrumentation did not differ in variety. There was not even a single gyroscopic instrument. And if we 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, flight performance was at a high level. In addition, a simple design, no need for time-consuming maintenance, undemanding to the conditions of the take-off fields made the model just perfect for that period. In one year, about one thousand fighters were developed.
The USSR keeps a mention of such a model as La-7. This is a single-seat monoplane fighter designed by Lavochkin. The first such aircraft was produced in 1944. He took to the air in February. In May, it was decided to start its mass production. Almost all the pilots who became Heroes of the Soviet Union flew the La-7.
Model produced under the direction of Polikarpov
The military aviation of the USSR included the U-2 (PO-2) model. This is a multi-purpose biplane, the production of which was directed by Polikarpov in 1928. The main goal for which the release of the aircraft took place was the training of pilots. It was characterized by the presence of good aerobatic qualities. When the Great Patriotic War began, it was decided to convert the standard models into light, night bomber aircraft. The load at the same time reached 350 kg. The aircraft was mass-produced until 1953. For all the time it was possible to produce about 33 thousand models.
high speed fighter
The 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 a high flight speed. For all the time of its production, about 2257 models were designed. The bomber was in service until 1950.
flying tank
No less popular is such an aircraft as the Il-2. The attack aircraft also bore the nickname "humped". This was facilitated by the shape of the fuselage. The designers called this car a flying tank. German pilots called this model a concrete plane and a cemented bomber due to its special strength. Ilyushin was engaged in the production of attack aircraft.
What can be said about German aviation?
The German aviation of World War II 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 massive aircraft in the history of World War II (33984 models). Almost all German pilots started flying on this aircraft.
"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 wide application in different countries. He took part in hostilities in various parts of the globe. Good luck accompanied such an aircraft due to the suddenness of its appearance. However, if a maneuverable battle flared up, then this model almost always lost. In this regard, such an aircraft was withdrawn from the front already in 1943.
"Messerschmit Me.163" (Comet) - missile fighter-interceptor. First took to the air back in 1941 at the very beginning of September. It did not differ in mass production. By 1944, only 44 models had been produced. The first sortie took place only in 1944. In total, only 9 aircraft were shot down with their help, with the loss of 11.
"Messerschmit Me.210" - a heavy fighter that acted as a replacement for the Bf.110 model. He made his first flight in 1939. In its design, the model had several defects, in connection with which its combat value suffered quite a lot. All about 90 models were published. 320 aircraft were never completed.
"Messerschmit Me.262" - a jet fighter, which 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 guns, which were installed near the bow. In this regard, heaped and dense fire was provided.
British-made aircraft
The Hawker Hurricane is a British-made single-seat fighter aircraft produced in 1939. For all the time of production, about 14 thousand models were published. In connection with various modifications, the machine was used as an interceptor, bomber and attack aircraft. There were also such modifications that implied the take-off of the aircraft from aircraft carriers. Among the German aces, this aircraft was called the "bucket with nuts." This is due to the fact that he was quite heavy to manage and slowly gained altitude.
The Supermarine Spitfire is a British-made fighter aircraft that has a single engine and an all-metal low-wing monoplane. The chassis of this model could be removed. 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 is a single-seat bomber that was produced until 1945. He was in service until 1947. The development was carried out in order to use it from the position of an interceptor. It is one of the most successful fighters. However, there were some problems, of which the low rate of climb can be distinguished. The first flight took place in 1940.
Japanese aviation
The Japanese aviation of the Second World War basically copied the models of those aircraft that were used in Germany. A large number of fighters were produced to support ground forces in combat operations. It also implied local air supremacy. Quite often, World War II aircraft were used to raid China. It is worth noting that there were no strategic bombers in the Japanese aviation. Among the main fighters are: Nakajima Ki-27, Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa, Nakajima Ki-44 Shoki, Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu, Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien. also used transport, training, 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 United States also did not stand aside. The Americans, for quite understandable reasons, approached the development of the fleet and aviation quite thoroughly. Most likely, it was precisely this thoroughness that played a role in the fact that the production facilities were among the most powerful not only in terms of numbers, but also in terms of capabilities. By the start of hostilities, the US was armed with models such as the Curtiss P-40. However, after some time this car was replaced by the P-51 Mustang, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-38 Lightning. As strategic bombers, aircraft of such models as the B-17 FlyingFortress and B-24 Liberator were used. In order to be able to carry out strategic bombing of Japan, Americans designed B-29 Superfortress aircraft.
Conclusion
Aviation played a significant role in World War II. Virtually 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 deal of responsibility. In this review, we tried to consider those aircraft that were used (successfully and not so) in hostilities.
Supermarine Spitfire opens the ranking of the best aircraft of the Second World War. We are talking about a British fighter aircraft, which has a somewhat clumsy and at the same time attractive design. Among the unique "highlights" in appearance include:
- clumsy nose;
- massive wings in the form of spades;
- lantern made in the shape of a bubble.
Speaking about the historical significance of this "old man", it must be said that he saved the Royal Military Forces during the Battle of Britain by stopping the German bombers. It was put into service at a very time - right before the start of World War II.
We are talking about one of the most recognizable German bombers, which the British fighters bravely fought. The Heinkel He 111 cannot be confused with any other aircraft due to the unique shape of the wide wings. Actually, they determine the name "111". It should be noted that this vehicle was created long before the war under the pretext of a passenger aircraft. Later, the model proved to be excellent in terms of maneuverability and speed, but during fierce battles it became clear that the performance did not meet expectations. The aircraft could not withstand the powerful attacks of rival combat aircraft, in particular from England.
At the beginning of World War II, German combat aircraft did what they wanted in the sky of the Soviet Union, which contributed to the emergence of a new generation fighter - La-5. The armed forces of the USSR clearly realized the need to create a powerful combat aircraft, and they managed to complete the task by 100%. At the same time, the fighter has an extremely simple design. The cockpit does not even have the elementary instruments necessary to determine the horizon. Nevertheless, domestic pilots immediately liked the model due to its good maneuverability and speed. Literally for the first time after the release, with the help of this aircraft, 16 enemy pilot ships were eliminated.
By the beginning of World War II, the Americans were armed with many good combat aircraft, but among them the North American P-51 Mustang is definitely the most powerful. It is necessary to highlight the unique history of the development of this weapon. Already at the height of the war, the British decided to order a batch of powerful aircraft from the Americans. In 1942, the first Mustangs appeared, which entered the replenishment of the British Air Force. It turned out that these fighters are so good that the US decided to leave them to equip their own army. A feature of the North American P-51 Mustang is the presence of huge fuel tanks. For this reason, they proved to be the best escorts for powerful bombers.
Speaking of the best bombers of World War II, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, which was in service with the American forces, should be highlighted. It was nicknamed the "flying fortress", due to its good combat equipment and structural strength. From all sides, this aircraft has machine guns. Some Flying Fortress units have a storied history. With their help, many feats were accomplished. Combat aircraft fell in love with pilots due to their easy control and survivability. To destroy them, the enemy needed to make a lot of effort.
The Yak-9, considered one of the most dangerous hunters of German aircraft, should be added to the ranking of the best aircraft of the Second World War. Many experts consider it the personification of the new century, due to its complex design and good performance. Instead of wood, which was most often used for the base, "Yak" uses duralumin. This is a versatile combat aircraft that has been used as a fighter-bomber, reconnaissance and sometimes courier vehicle. It is light and agile, while having powerful guns.
Another German dive bomber capable of vertically falling on a target. This is the property of the German armed forces, with the help of which the pilots managed to lay bombs on enemy aircraft with pinpoint precision. Junkers Ju-87 is considered the best aircraft of the Blitzkrieg, which helped the Germans at the beginning of the war to "walk" a victorious march through many areas of Europe.
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero should be added to the list of the best military aircraft of the Patriotic War. They were operated during the battles over the Pacific Ocean. The representative of A6M Zero has quite an outstanding history. One of the most advanced aircraft of the Second World War turned out to be a very unpleasant enemy for the Americans, due to its maneuverability, lightness and range. By no means did the Japanese put too little effort into building a reliable fuel tank. Many planes could not resist enemy forces due to the fact that the tanks quickly exploded.