Image: Wiki Commons
About This Quiz
A period that saw giant leaps forward in the design of aircraft, World War II saw both Allied and Axis forces produce aircraft of incredible performance and beauty. Some, like the legendary Supermarine Spitfire and North American P51 Mustang, still invoke an emotional lump in the throat when put through their paces at airshows around the world.
Many pilots of the era talk of flying these beautiful machines, of a feeling of not strapping yourself into the warbird but more of a case of strapping it onto you. There is no denying that these were not only beautiful but deadly machines. But there are so many other aircraft that are remembered from this period in history and not only on the side of the victors.
German aircraft manufacturers produced some incredible machines, while the Japanese designs were nimble and more maneuverable than many of their American counterparts. Some went for speed, ruggedness and the ability to climb well, while others believed that each engagement ultimately would end up in a turning dogfight and that maneuverability was what was needed.
And this quiz will test your knowledge of these aircraft to the limit. You'll see not just American and British planes but Italian, German and Japanese as well as a few surprises.
Strap yourself in, start your engine and happy hunting!
Supermarine Spitfire
The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the most famous aircraft ever built. It first flew in 1936 and played a major part in defending Great Britain against the Luftwaffe, Hitler's air force, during the Second World War. It was produced throughout the war, with over 20,000 built. There are still around 50 flying examples found around the world.
Airspeed Oxford
Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1
Amiot 143
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ANF Les Mureaux
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The B17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famous aircraft of World War II. Designed as a bomber, it was primarily used in the West, flying daylight missions against Nazi Germany. The B17 could hold 9,600 pounds of bombs and had 11 to 13 machine guns as defensive armament. It first flew in 1935 and entered service in 1938.
Witbault Wib.7
None of the above
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Arado Ar 195
Westland Wizard
Hawker Hurricane
Together with the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane saw off the German Luftwaffe during World War II, most notably during the Battle of Britain. Failure to do so would have seen Germany hold air superiority which would have let Hitler invade the island nation. Although not as famous as the Spitfire, the Hurricane was an excellent fighter in its own right.
Vought FU-1
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Arado Ar 196
Vickers Vespa
Arsenal VG-33
Messerschmitt Bf 109
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the primary fighter in service with the German Air Force at the outbreak of World War II. First introduced in 1937, the aircraft had proved itself extremely capable during the Spanish Civil War where it was flown by German pilots helping Franco. In combat over Britain, however, it met its match in the Supermarine Spitfire, although both aircraft were very equally matched.
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Blériot-SPAD S.510
Grumman F4F Wildcat
The Grumman F4F Wildcat was one of the major carrier-based fighters of the United States Navy during World War II. The Wildcat saw action throughout the Pacific, playing a pivotal role in defending the U.S. fleet from Japanese attack. Although the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero was quicker and more maneuverable, the Wildcat was extremely tough. Wildcats accounted for 1,327 enemy kills during the war.
Arado Ar 68
Tupolev TB-1
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Potez 230
Vickers Vespa
Arado Ar E.500
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 not a match for more advanced German fighter aircraft. It was fondly nicknamed "Donkey" by its pilots.
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Roussel R-30
Tupolev I-4
Junkers Ju52
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.
Arado Ar. E561
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Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
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.
Spad S.XX
SNCAC NC-600
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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. The DC3 is affectionately known as the Gooney Bird.
Armstrong Whitworth Ensign
Ryan NYP
SNCAO 200
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Avia. B35
Reynard Epervier
Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
At the start of the Second World War, the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka was one of the most feared aircraft available to the German Air Force. This ground attack plane used dive bombing techniques to great effect. It was feared, as it also employed wind-driven sirens that would wail on each attack, causing panic for both civilians and enemy soldiers. The Stuka was less effective when used against targets in Britain and many were lost. It was withdrawn and used in combat on the Eastern Front against Russia.
SNCASE SE.100
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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 onward.
Avia B.534
Potez 25
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
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Morane-Saulnier M.S.225
Polikarpov PO-2
Avions Fairey Fox
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson entered service in 1936 and performed a number of roles in the Royal Air Force 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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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 was not a particularly successful aircraft.
Avro 621 Tutor
Polikarpov I-1
Loire 210
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Bell Airacuda
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. All American World War II fighter pilots would have earned their wings flying the Texan.
Nieuport-Delage NiD 52
Dewoitine D.520
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Dewoitine D.500
Nieuport-Delage NiD 29
Beriev Be-2
Focke-Wulf F200 Condor
Initially developed as an airliner 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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Brewster F2A Buffalo
The Buffalo first entered service in 1937. It was one of the first aircraft to include an arrestor hook for operations from aircraft carriers.
Blackburn Baffin
Nieuport Nighthawk
Dewoitine D.371
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Blackburn Roc
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.
Martin MB-2
Caudron C.714
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Curtiss P40 Warhawk
Not necessarily the most glamorous fighter ever produced by the United States during World War II, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk certainly served a purpose. It was a capable dogfighter that was easy to build and helped to ensure that the United States Air Force was significantly armed during the early days of the war. Almost 12,000 of the P-40 were built up until 1944.
Bloch MB.150
Liore-et-Olivier LeO 25
Arsenal VG-33
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Blohm und Voss Bv141
Messerschmitt Bf 110
This two-seat, two-engined fighter performed poorly for the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, where it was no match for the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. in fact, the Messerschmitt BF110 often needed its own fighter escort, despite the fact that it was a fighter.
Le Vasseur PL.4
Arsenal VB 10
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Blohm und Voss Bv Ha 137
Supermarine Seafire
The Supermarine Seafire was a carrier-based version of the Spitfire, arguably one of the most famous aircraft designs in aviation history. The first few Seafires were converted Spitfires, but eventually, the aircraft was modified for carrier-based operations. Of the most important of these modifications was folding wings, which allowed aircraft to be stored below decks far easier.
Huff-Daland XHB-1 Cyclops
Caproni Ca.313
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Farman/SNCAC F.222
Mitsubishi A6M Zero
The most famous Japanese fighter of World War II, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero was carrier-based, had an incredible range, and was extremely maneuverable. It was far superior to early American aircraft in the Pacific theater, and at one stage had a kill ratio of 12 to 1.
Huff-Daland XB-1 Super Cyclops
Boeing P-26 Pea Shooter
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Heinkel HD23
Boeing YB-9 Death Angel
Bell P-39 Airacobra
The Bell P-39 Airacobra didn't really perform in the role for which it was intended: a high-altitude fighter. It did excel below 10,000 ft, however, and was an adequate ground attack aircraft which served in large numbers in Russia under a lend/lease agreement with the United States.
Hanriot H.600
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Koolhoven FK.58
Ford TriMotor
Boulton Paul Defiant
Grumman F8F Bearcat
Designed as a carrier-based fighter and entering service in mid-1945, the Grumman F8F Bearcat saw no action during World War II. The war came to an end before it could be deployed in any large numbers.
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Fiat Cr.20
Boulton Paul P.92
Loire 46
Lockheed P-38 Lightning
Nicknamed "The Fork Tailed Devil" by the German pilots that faced them, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a twin-engined aircraft that performed a number of roles. These included bomber escort, interception, level bombing, and dive bombing, as well as photo reconnaissance. The Lightning was exceptionally fast and maneuverable.
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Hawker Typhoon
The Hawker Typhoon was originally intended to replace the Hawker Hurricane as a frontline fighter. It was outclassed by many German aircraft, however. It soon found its niche and became an excellent ground attack aircraft with the ability to carry rockets and bombs as part of its payload.
Breda Ba.65
Potez 56
Fiat Cr.1
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Brewster Buffalo
Fairey Flycatcher
Salmson Cricri
Mitsubishi J2M Interceptor
Designed by Jiro Horikoshi, who created the legendary A6M Zero, the J2M was designed to be a high-altitude interceptor. It saw action throughout the Pacific but was often dogged by mechanical problems. Later in the war, it was used in its intended role but performed poorly against the high-flying B29 Superfortress bombers of the U.S. Air Force.
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Fairey Fleetwing
Breguet Br.600
Focke-Wulf Fw 190
Along with the Messerschmitt Me 109, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 made up the bulk of the German Air Force fighter strength during World War II. When it first came on the scene, it was superior to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk V, much to the astonishment of the British pilots. The Fw 190 was continually upgraded during the war, capable as a dogfighter and interceptor as well as a fighter-bomber.
Vought V.156
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Vought F4U/FG Corsair
The Vought Corsair was such an excellent aircraft that over 13,000 were manufactured between 1942 to 1953. In fact, this is the longest production run of any American aircraft ever. The Corsair served in the US Navy in the Pacific and proved to be an excellent fighter. It could perform other roles as well including as a fighter-bomber. The last Corsair retired from the Honduras Air Force in 1979.
Bristol Blenheim
de Havilland DH.77
Wibaut 283T
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North American P51 Mustang
MÁVAG Héja
A fighter aircraft of Hungarian design, the MÁVAG Héja was based on the Italian Reggiane Re.2000. They saw little combat during the war, as most were placed in home defense squadrons. One squadron did fly on the Russian front, however.
Supermarine Spitfire
Hawker Hurricane
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Douglas DB-7
Dayton-Wright PS1
Bristol Type 159
Nakajima A6M2-N Floatplane Fighter
This essentially was an A6M Zero with a float attached. It was used in the Pacific theater and, while a threat to small U.S. Navy patrol boats, was not much of a match for its fighters. In fact, the float meant that the aircraft lost as much as 20% of its performance.
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Davids-Douglas Cloudster
Bucker Bu133
Republic P-43 Lancer
Certainly not the greatest American fighter ever produced, the Republic P-43 Lancer had excellent performance at high altitude. This made it one of the only Allied planes able to intercept the Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" recon plane of the Japanese for much of the war.
Handley Page Halifax
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CAC Wirraway
Macchi C.200
The "Saetta" or "Arrow" performed in many theatres during World War II but most notably in North Africa and the Mediterranean. It was a capable fighter until the mid-point of the war, when new Allied aircraft were far better in terms of performance.
Martin 167
Curtiss P-6 Hawk
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Avia BH-33
An obsolete biplane design by the time World War II started, the only Avia BH-33s to see combat belonged to the Yugoslavian Air Force. They were both shot down, with their pilots killed.
Stinson 105 Voyager l
Westland Lysander Mk.III
Supermarine Walrus
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Vultee A-35 Vengeance
Arsenal VG-33
A French fighter that never saw combat, the Arsenal VG-33 was in production at the start of World War II, but France fell to the Germans before it reached the front line.
Vickers Wellington
Mitsubishi J2M Raiden
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North American P-64
First flown in 1940, the North American P-64 was built as a fighter for export to other countries. They saw action in 1941 with the Peruvian Air Force during the Ecuadorian-Peruvian war.
Yakovlev Yak-7B
Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P
Ambrosini S.7T
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CANT Z.1007
Consolidated PBY/PBN Catalina
Short 184
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, or "Jug" as it was affectionately known by its pilots, was a very versatile aircraft. From escorting bombers over Germany to ground attack missions, the Jug could do it all. It was a massive piece of machinery - when fully loaded with weapons and fuel, it weighed around 8 tons.
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Caproni Ca.311
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
When World War II started, the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 was the main fighter of the French Air Force. It was very maneuverable, but unfortunately, it was underpowered and lacked firepower, leading it to be easily outperformed by German fighters. Over 250 were lost during the battle of France.
Curtiss SO3C Seamew
Hawker Audax
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Douglas SBD Dauntless
Fairey Battle
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 and only served in backup squadrons.
Douglas Boston
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North American B25 Mitchell
Fiat B.R.20M
Martin M-130
Boeing P-26 Peashooter
The first all-metal fighter produced by the United States, the Boeing 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.
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Martin PB2M Mars
North American P-51 Mustang
The North American P-51 Mustang is legendary in aviation circles. This is the aircraft that first flew bomber escort missions over Germany, something the German high command thought impossible. It was a great all-around fighter, capable of ground attack duties as well. Interestingly, the first Mustang models suffered from underpowered engines. It was only when the Rolls-Royce Merlin was fitted to the airframe that it became a world beater.
Lockheed PBO p
Fiat B.R.20
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