Image: U.S. Navy via Wiki Commons
About This Quiz
Oh, those magnificent men in their flying machines, as the old song goes!
It's not really the men that are magnificent, is it? It really is those flying machines! Incredibly, despite being heavier than air, thanks to some wizardry, they stay aloft.
Seeing that humans only managed to fly in 1903, the aircraft produced in the two decades before World War II had come a long way from the Wright flyer. By the mid-1930s, wood was no longer the primary material used in their construction. Most planes were now made out of metal, which made them far heavier. Luckily, engine technology too had advanced at a rapid rate, so the powerplants installed on these aircraft were powerful enough to get them in the air and perhaps, more importantly, keep them there.
The 1920s and '30s also saw the beginnings of passenger transport. Flying in an aircraft drastically cut the traveling time between cities and companies soon realized this. Now, the aircraft was not only used for military purposes or the transporting of mail or goods, but it could also carry people to their destinations in style!
So now it's time to test your aircraft identification skills!
Will you be able to tell us which aircraft is which?Â
Good luck!
Lockheed Model 9 Orion
The Model 9 Orion from Lockheed was a single-engined commercial passenger aircraft first released in 1931. The enclosed cabin could transport six passengers comfortably. The Orion was the first airliner with retractable undercarriage.
Douglas DC-2
Boeing 247
Airspeed Oxford
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Amiot 143
De Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide
The de Havilland DH.89 Dragon Rapide was a majestic looking bi-plane that could carry six to eight passengers. At the outbreak of World War II, most Rapide's were pressed into service with the Royal Air Force.
Arado AR 195
Armstrong Whitworth Ensign
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Avia B.35
Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
Gloster Gladiator
One of the last biplane fighters in the Royal Air Force, the Gloster Gladiator was obsolete by the outbreak of World War II although it had served as a frontline fighter from around 1935 onwards.
Avions Fairey Fox
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Avia B.534
Avro Tutor
Bell Airacuda
Granville Gee Bee
Produced between 1932 and 1933, the Gee Bee was a very distinct looking aircraft. It was built especially for air racing and set a speed record of 296 mph in 1932.
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Miles Peregrine
This 1930s two-engine aircraft was intended as a transport plane. Only two were ever built as the Miles factory was commissioned to focus on the Magister training aircraft as the threat of war approached in the late 1930s.
Blackburn Baffin
Bloch MB.150
Blohm and Voss Ha 137
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Boeing 314 Clipper
Bolton Paul Defiant
Boeing P-26 Peashooter
The first all-metal fighter produced by the United States, the Boening P-26 Peashooter first flew in 1932. Chinese built Peashooters saw action against the Japanese before the outbreak of World War II, while the Peashooter also served in the Pacific with the Philippine Army Air Force.
Breda Ba.64
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Bolton Paul P.92
Bristol Blenheim
Breguet Br.690
Grumman Goose
First flown in 1937, the Grumman Goose was an amphibious passenger plane that could transport up to eight passengers. Incredibly, it was purposely designed for businessmen in the Long Island area.
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Bucker Bu 131
Curtiss A-112
Dewoitine D.500
North American T6 Texan
Perhaps one of the most famous training aircraft ever produced, the T-6 Texan first flew in 1935 and incredibly, was still in service with the South African Air Force up until 1995. Many examples are still flying today.
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Kalinin K-7
Only one example of this behemoth was built in the early 1930s in the U.S.S.R. The K-7 had seven engines and was proposed as both a bomber and passenger aircraft. The only prototype crashed in 1933, killing 14 people.
DFS 230
Dornier Do 18
Fairey Hendon
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Farman F.211
Fiat CR.32
Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber that first entered service in 1936 with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It has the distinction of helping to sink the German Battleship, the Bismarck during World War II.
Curtis A-18
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Curtiss P-36 Hawk
Douglas DC-3 Dakota
The Douglas DC3 Dakota is nothing short of a legend. It first flew in 1936 and has been used in many guises, from an airliner to cargo aircraft, and even during the Second World War as a troop transport, cargo carrier, glider tow aircraft, or to carry paratroopers.
Dornier Do 22
Fieseler Fi 167
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Fokker T.VIII
Martin B10
A bomber introduced into the United States Army Air Corps in 1934, the Martin B10 was the first all-metal monoplane bomber in service in the United States. When introduced, it proved faster than any of the current fighters in service.
Flettner FI 265
Grumman F2F
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Handley Page Hampden
Stinson Model A
This two-engine commercial passenger aircraft first entered service in 1934. Constructed from steel tubing and covered with fabric, it was soon superseded by the newer designs which used stressed aluminum in their construction.
Hawker Hotspur
Junkers Ju 86
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Koolhoven K.K. 55
Letov S.328
Hawker Hart
A two-seater bomber, the Hawker Hart served with Royal Air Force from 1930 but was obsolete by the outbreak of World War II.
Martin-Baker MB.2
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Blackburn Skua
The Blackburn Skua was a two-seater fighter/dive bomber that saw service with the British Fleet Air Arm after entering service in 1938. It is named after a sea bird.
Mitsubishi A5M
Northrop Delta
Polikarpov I-5
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Potez 540
Renard R.38
Sikorsky S-43
Supermarine S6
The Supermarine S6 designed by RJ Mitchell, who later went on to design the Supermarine Spitfire. This air racer won the Schneider Trophy race in 1929.
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Polikarpov i-16
This short stubby Russian fighter first entered service in 1934. By the start of World War II, the Polikarpov i-16 was no match for more advanced German fighter aircraft. It was fondly nicknamed 'Donkey' by its pilots.
Supermarine Walrus
Supermarine Swift
Vultee Valiant
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Vickers Wellington
Vought Vindicator
Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju52 entered service in 1931. This tri-motor aircraft was initially a passenger aircraft but saw service in World War II as a paratroop and regular transport machine.
Tachikawa Ki-9
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Ryan Foursome
Supermarine Seagull
Stinson Reliant
Focke-Wulf F200 Condor
Initially developed as an airline for long-range trips, the Focke-Wulf F200 Condor was used extensively by the Luftwaffe during World War II as a maritime patrol aircraft and anti-ship bomber. It was first introduced in 1937.
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Spartan 8W Zeus
Keystone B-3
The Keystone B-3 was a biplane bomber aircraft in service with the United States Army Air Corps in the 1920s. Although made obsolete by the new all-metal monoplanes of the 1930s, the B-3 stayed in service til 1940.
Fairchild PT-19
North American BT-9
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De Havilland Express
The De Havilland Express was a larger of the Dragon Rapide, also built by De Havilland. Over 700 were built in the 1930s.
Consolidated PT-3
Stearman XA-21
Severesky P35
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Savoia-Marchetti SM.79
Saunders Roe London
Naval Aircraft Factory N3N
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson entered service in 1936 and performed a number of roles in the Royal Airforce including as a light bomber, trainer, maritime reconnaissance and transport aircraft. It was largely obsolete by the time World War II started.
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Boeing 314 Clipper
The Boeing 314 Clipper was a flying boat airliner which first entered service in 1939. Clippers were capable of flying across both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, with fuel stops along the way of course.
Aero A.11
Bristol Bulldog
Comte AC-1
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Fairey Flycatcher
Keystone XLB-3
Nieuport Nighthawk
Lockheed Hudson
The Hudson from Lockheed entered service in 1939 as both a light bomber as well as a coastal maritime patrol aircraft. Interestingly, it was commissioned for the Royal Air Force and was used by a number of Commonwealth countries, even after World War II. It did service with US forces as well.
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Levasseur PL.4
Brewster F2A Buffalo
The Buffalo, a fighter manufactured by Brewster, first entered service in 1937. It was one of the first aircraft to include an arrestor hook for operations from aircraft carriers.
Huff Daland LB.1
Fiat CR.20
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Ryan NYP
Potez 25
Morane-Saulnier MS.230
Boeing YB-9
Introduced in 1931, the Boeing YB-9 didn't have a long operational service in the US Army Air Corps, and by 1935 was retired from service. It does have the distinction as the first monoplane bomber to be made entirely out of metal.
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Westland Wizar
Vickers Vespa
Hughes H-1
A design from Howard Hughes, the H-1 set a number of records in the late 1930s. During this time, the H-1 was the fastest landplane around, capable of speeds of over 350 mph.
Vought FU-1
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Wittman-Lewis XNBL-1
Messerschmitt 108
This single seat aircraft was designed for sport flying as well as touring by the famed Messerschmitt aircraft factory and Willie Messerschmitt in particular. It first flew in 1934.
Wibault Wib.7
Tupolev I-4
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Lockheed 10 Electra
This 10-seater commercial passenger aircraft from Lockheed first saw service in 1935. It perhaps gained more fame due to the fact that it was the plane chose by Amelia Earhart on her trip to circumnavigate the world, one she never returned from.
Spad S.XX
Tupolev I-4
Reynard Epervier
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Fokker F.XX
The F.XX, from Dutch designers Fokker, entered service in 1933 as a passenger transport aircraft. It could fly up to 12 people and crew up to distances of 800 miles.
Polikarpov PO-2
Nieuport-Delage NiD 52
Martin MB-2
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Beechcraft Model 17 Staggerwing
Northrop C-19 Alpha
Fairchild 45
Short S23 Empire Boat
The 1930s saw an upsurge in the popularity of flying boats as a form of a commercial airliner and the Empire Boat, from Short, is one of the more famous examples. First introduced in 1936, it was capable of flying up to 24 passengers up to 700 miles at a time.
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Heinkel HD 23
Lockheed YP-24
The Lockheed YP-24 was a two-seat fighter that never entered service. In fact, only one was made, in 1931. Multiple factors, including the Great Depression, saw the project abandoned.
Liore-et-Olivier LeO 25
Supermarine S6a
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Martin PBM Mariner
Douglas XP3D
Percival Mew Gull
A 1930s racing aircraft, the Percival Mew Gull was made of wood. This made it very light and coupled with the de Havilland Gipsy Six motor that powered, helped the Mew Gull to many air speed records during its lifetime. It had a top speed of 265 mph.
Consolidated XP4Y Corregidor
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Bellanca 77-140
Great Lakes BG
North American XB-21
Curtiss BF2C Goshawk
Introduced in 1933, the Curtiss BF2C Goshawk saw service on U.S. Navy aircraft carriers. It served as both a fighter and fighter bomber. A number also saw service for China against the Japanese.
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de Havilland Tiger Moth
The de Havilland Tiger Moth was the main trainer used by the Royal Air Force before World War II. Close to 9,000 examples of this beautiful biplane were made, and many still exist. All-in-all, the Tiger Moth served in the air forces of 39 countries.
Curtiss T-32 Condor II
Douglas XT3D
Northrop BT
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Curtiss SBC Helldiver
General Aviation PJ
Introduced in 1933, the General Aviation PJ was a flying boat used by the U.S. Coast Guard. Generally, it was in operation for search and rescue missions. It featured a high wing, flying boat hull and stabilizing pontoons under the wings. Only five of them were made.
Martin Baltimore
Vought SB2U Vindicator
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Stearman XA-21
Military Aircraft HM-1
Naval Aircraft Factory SBN
Vultee V-11
Very similar in looks to the T6 Texan, the Vultee V-11 was an attack aircraft a number of air forces around the world used in the 1930s, including the Chinese. It only flew in the U.S. air force for test purposes.
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Bell YFM-1 Airacuda
Curtiss XP-31 Swift
This experimental aircraft featured a monoplane device and all-metal construction. It was an alternative design to the Boeing P-26 Peashooter but lost to that aircraft when the United States opted for the Boeing as a front-line fighter.
Brewster F2A Buffalo
Loening XFL
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Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Spartan Cruiser
A three-engined design from the Edgar Percival, the Spartan Cruiser could carry between 6 and ten passengers. Most saw service with Spartan Air Lines, flying from the Isle of Wight to London.
Douglas XFD
Northrop XFT
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Seversky XP-41
General Motors FM
Douglas TBD Devastator
The Douglas TBD Devastator first entered service in 1937. Although it was advanced for its time, it performed poorly during World War II and during the Battle of Midway 35 of the 41 Devastator's were lost.
Vultee P-66 Vanguard
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You Got:
/40
