American Aircraft of World War II

Some Japanese pilots regarded it as the most formidable American fighter of World War II and its naval aviators achieved an 11:1 kill ratio.

Dropped more bombs than any other aircraft during World War II.

Capable of being fitted with either float or wheeled landing gear, this plane was arguably America's best floatplane scout of World War II.

One of the first U.S. monoplanes with an arrestor hook and other modifications for aircraft carriers.

It was one of the most widely used seaplanes of World War II.

The first long range fighter to be able to compete with the Luftwaffe's fighters.

It was one of the first of a new generation of combat aircraft—a sleek monoplane design with a retractable undercarriage making extensive use of metal in its construction.

When fully loaded, this plane weighed up to 8 tons, making it one of the heaviest fighters of the war.

Known for it's poor performance at the Battle of Midway

Was the United States Navy's main carrier-based scout/dive bomber from mid-1940 through mid-1944.

Known for dropping the Atomic bombs on Japan.

Used by the US Navy during World War II in bombing, antisubmarine, and transport roles.

It was used by each major branch of the U.S. armed forces from the mid-1930s until just after World War II, primarily for utility and air-sea rescue duties.

Used as an observation aircraft, similar to that of Balloons in World War I.

Was used for troop transport, cargo, paratrooper, for towing gliders and military cargo parachute drops.

Was one of the first USAAF aircraft to sink a German U-boat.

During World War II, this plane became an effective transport for the US military (including the United States Coast Guard), as well as serving with many other air forces.

Played an instrumental role in closing the Mid-Atlantic gap in the Battle of the Atlantic.

It was the United States Navy's dominant fighter in the second half of the Pacific War.

A third of these Aircraft served with the Soviet Union.

Named in honor of a Brigadier General, who was a pioneer of U.S. military aviation.

Was used by most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in front line service until the end of the war. It was the third most-produced American fighter of World War II.

The aircraft served on battleships and cruisers in a seaplane configuration.

Incorporated a distinctive twin-boom design with a central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament.

Besides transport of cargo, this plane also carried presidents, prime ministers, and military staff.

Had to be able to operate both from ocean vessels with a single center float and from land bases with the float replaced by a wheeled landing gear.

Had inferior performance against the Zero in the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.

Despite the loss of five of the six aircraft on its combat debut, it survived in service to become the most effective and widely-used torpedo bomber of World War II

Nicknames for the aircraft included "Big-Tailed Beast" or just "Beast","Two-Cee", and "Son-of-a-Bitch 2nd Class"; the latter nickname was derived from the aircraft's name and the aircraft's reputation for having difficult handling characteristics.

Was used by the Soviet Air Force, and enabled individual Soviet pilots to collect the highest number of kills attributed to any U.S. fighter type flown by any air force in any conflict.

Ended World War II with the lowest loss rate of any U.S. Army Air Forces bomber.