Amazing planes of World War II (Part 2)
World War II was a time of great atrocity that encompassed nearly all the world nations in it. The skies were riddled with fighter planes, grounds with army troops and seas with battleships. The war is won not on the basis of the courage of the men but also on the basis of as to who has better equipment.
Last time we presented to our readers a list of amazing planes from World War II and now we are back with another list of them.
So strap on to your seats and have a fun flight of reading about the amazing planes of World War II (part 2).
North American P-51 Mustang
The North American P-51 Mustang is unarguably one of the most famous fighter planes of World War II. The name of the aircraft was so iconic that it actually led to a creation of an American automobile. The North American P-51 Mustang was manufactured by the North American Aviation from years in between 1940 to 1950 and it was loved by nearly anyone who ever flew it.
There were many models of the North American P-51 Mustang but a standard model of the aircraft was powered by a single Packard V-1650-7 V12 engine that was also fitted with a 2-stage intercooled supercharger. This would allow the North American P-51 Mustang to have nearly 1500 HP from its single engine that allowed it to fly at a top speed of 440 mph and sometimes even faster in time of needs.
The aircraft was equipped with 6 of the .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns along with 6 or 10 T64 H.V.A.R. rockets. The North American P-51 Mustang was feared for its superior dogfighting capabilities as well as its fighter bomber specifications.
Nearly 15000 of these North American P-51 Mustangs were manufactured and many of them are still available in optimum flyable conditions.
Supermarine Spitfire
Although Mustang has been regarded as the best fighter from the Americans, the Supermarine Spitfire is inarguably the greatest fighter of the World War II on an international level. The aircraft has an amazing service record which mostly involves its impressive contributions during the Battle of Britain. During the darkest time when the German forces were very close to invading the home islands of UK, Supermarine Spitfire and its operators were the one that held the last line of defense.
The Supermarine Spitfire was designed by the famous aeronautical engineer RJ Mitchell and his team at the Supermarine Aviation. The aircraft was given elliptical wings along with superb aerodynamics that allowed it have deft manufacturing capabilities. The aircraft powered by its famed Rolls Royce Merlin engine was able to outspeed an enemy fighter plane of its time. In addition to having primary 8 Browning M2 machine guns, the Supermarine Spitfire could also be modified to carry various bombs and other ordinance.
Nowadays nearly 55 to 60 of these Supermarine Spitfires are still preserved in flyable condition. There are also rumors that some mothballed Supermarine Spitfire fighters are still held at the old RAF air bases located in Southeast Asia. Despite various searches, none of them could ever be recovered.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress was a heavy bomber that was built by the US Army Air Corps back in the 1930s and served not only in World War II but also after that. The aircraft as its name Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress suggests was a fortress of airpower.
With armaments of 13 of the Browning M2 .50 caliber machine guns which were mounted in 8 different positions all across the aircraft including the turrets, the aircraft alone was a superb piece of military might. These guns could be moved in their respective directions to deal heavy damage to the enemy fighters.
As for its bombing payload, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress could hold inside 4500 pounds of ordinance to be delivered over a long range and 8000 pounds for short range missions. The aircraft was even more impressive when it worked in overtime as it could deliver nearly 17000 pounds of ordinance.
Nowadays, dozens of these Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress remain in either private collections or in museums with 15 of them in airworthy condition.
Consolidated PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina is considered by many of the aviation enthusiast to be the most beautiful aircraft to be ever built. The aircraft with its under-slung fuselage, its great engine placement and its iconic float design was worthy of being called a beautifully built aircraft.
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was developed initially with an intention of being a patrol bomber but later served its role for following purposes.
- search and rescue
- maritime patrol
- convoy escort
The aircraft had a flexible design that allowed it to be configured as well as armed in different ways. With its impressive range of nearly 2500 miles, the Consolidated PBY Catalina proved to be a great asset for the air force over the Pacific Theater of World War II.
The aircraft was equipped with 3 of the .30 caliber and 2.50 caliber machine guns, which were able to deter any of the enemy fighters. To top it all off, it could deliver an ordinance of 4000 pounds of bombs to pack quite a punch against the enemy forces.
With dozens remaining from World War II, many of them are in flyable condition.
Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario
The word Sagittario in the name of Reggiane Re.2005 Sagittario means Sagittarius that s the sign of the archer in zodiac symbols. This Italian built aircraft with its speed and accuracy to attacking enemy forces was well deserved for its name.
The aircraft with its semi-elliptical wing design followed with its aggressive nose as well as its cockpit placement was an impressive fighter plane of World War II.
The aircraft was powered by a Fiat built engine that gave it a top speed of nearly 400 mph but at times it could exceed the limit of 600 mph. as for its armaments, it was equipped with following.
- 2 of the 12.7mm Breda-SAFAT machine guns
- 3 of the 20mm MG 151 cannons
- Also able to carry 1000 pounds of bombing ordinance
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