World War Two Aircraft
Specs of Fighter Planes by model and type
By Stephen Sherman, May, 2002. Updated January 26, 2012.
This table shows all fighter types that reached production status for the major combatant nations of World War Two: USA, Germany, Russia, Japan, and Great Britain.
As I studied the topic I found myself confused by different sources when I would want to know, for example, "the speed of a P-47," or "the weight of a Bf 109."
Different sources gave different information. And that's not because the sources were wrong. My question was too general, too vague.
Performance, speed, armament, weight, etc. varied tremendously, for a given model (e.g. a P-51), by type. (I use the term 'model' as a general term, and 'type' to be more specific; some sources use the terms the other way around. The Brits used 'mark' for 'type'.) Thus a P-51D was a very different machine from a P-51B. As for the Bf 109, the B and C types were introduced during the Spanish Civil War; by late 1944, the Germans were producing the K type - which weighed half again as much as its ancestor and flew 150 MPH faster. It was a different airplane, built around the same basic airframe, and therefore only resembled its predecessor in external appearance.
As for weight, there's empty weight, loaded weight, and maximum take-off weight. In general, 'empty' means without fuel, ammunition, or pilot. 'Loaded' includes those 3 items. 'Maximum' is just that; how much extra one might squeeze onto the aircraft and still take off successfully (on a long enough runway, in proper weather, at sea level, with favorable wind, etc.) Some sources on American fighters also refer to a measure called 'Basic' weight, which is something like 'empty' less the weapons and radio.
What I also learned is that even at the 'type' level of detail, there was still more variation. So the info in these table is still an approximation, but it helped me get a handle on the major variations. The Brits developed various Spitfire wings, mounting different gun combinations. The different wings were installed variously on the different Spitfire marks. So, that data in particular is hard to present in an 'average' or 'typical' way.
Another problem was the production numbers of the Fw 190. While it's clear that about 10,000 were produced overall, it was nearly impossible to get a good fix on their production by type. Although the 'A' and 'D' types predominated.
Beyond the Specs
It's dangerously easy to focus exclusively on the quantifiable specifications of the airplanes, and to ignore qualitative factors like ruggedness, reliability, maneuverability, ease of handling, stall characteristics, simplicity, ease of maintenance, etc. But these "softer" factors were at least as important as the quantifiable specs. Suppose one is trying to compare an American and a German fighter plane. Which one is "better?" If one supposes that all that mattered was what would have happened if Erich Hartmann flying a factory-fresh, well-tuned aircraft had encountered Robert S. Johnson flying an equally pristine U.S. plane. Ah-ha, two superb, let's say equally skilled, pilots, both flying machines that were "up-to-spec," presumably in that hypothetical confrontation, the pilot of the more capable aircraft would have prevailed.But actually waging aerial warfare involved so much more: training, maintenance, reliability, etc. Let's take another hypothetical case. Suppose an American commander had a certain airplane at his disposal, 100 of them to start with, with 100 pilots. And a German commander also had 100 planes and pilots. Further, suppose that the "specs" of the opposing airplanes, were roughly comparable, or that the American plane was somewhat superior - faster, more firepower, longer range, etc. But now suppose that the American plane was weaker in all the subjective categories. It was "hard to fly," which meant that 10 pilots and planes were lost in training exercises. Suppose that it was "difficult to maintain," which meant that, on any given day another 10 planes were "in the shop" or would abort just after take-off. Further suppose that the cockpit layout was confusing, and that the aircraft was demanding to fly; it just required all of the pilot's attention and strength to keep the damn thing in the air. To cap it off, let's assume that the American plane was less rugged (a very counter-factual assumption; U.S. planes were almost always more rugged than their opposition), so in some huge dogfight, they're going to take more hits.
So on the day of the big theoretical dogfight, the American commander could actually only put up 70 planes, with distracted pilots, likely to break up when hit by gunfire. It's a totally unrealistic scenario, but demonstrates how important the qualitative factors were. The challenge of the aircraft designers and manufacturers was to deliver planes that had the specified capabilities, but also met the qualitative requirements.
For most US airplanes, there are links to the relevant books from the excellent Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series.
Aircraft model and type | Production | Speed | Armament | Engine and Performance | Weight | Other | |||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nat. | Mfr. - Model | type | Svc. Del. | # Built | MPH | 8mm | 12.7/13mm | 20mm | 37mm+ | Bomb | HP | Engine(Mfr/Number) | Climb ft/min | Ceil FT | Rng Mi. | Ext Rng | Empty Wt. lb. | Loaded Wt. | Max.Wt. lb. | Crew | # Eng. | Oth Name | Modif. |
USA | Brewster F2A Buffalo | F2A-3 | Jan-41 | 500 | 321 | 4 | 200 | 1,200 | Wright R-1820-40 | 33,204 | 963 | 4,731 | 7,158 | 1 | 1 | Buffalo | |||||||
USA | Grumman F4F Wildcat | F4F-3 | Dec-40 | 560 | 330 | 4 | 200 | 1,200 | P&W R-1830-86 | 2,050 | 32,600 | 1,274 | 5,293 | 7,467 | 8,771 | 1 | 1 | Martlet Mk I/II/III | |||||
F4F-4/FM-1 | Jun-42 | 2,500 | 319 | 6 | 1,200 | P&W R-1830-86 | 1,949 | 34,000 | 830 | 1,275 | 5,758 | 7,406 | 7,952 | 1 | 1 | Martlet Mk IV/V | folding wings | ||||||
F4F-4/FM-2 | Sep-43 | 4,800 | 319 | 6 | 1,350 | P&W R-1820-56 | 2,890 | 35,600 | 780 | 1,350 | 5,758 | 7,406 | 7,952 | 1 | 1 | Martlet Mk.VI | lighter | ||||||
USA | Grumman F6F Hellcat | F6F-3 | Oct-42 | 4,646 | 376 | 6 | 2,000 | P&W R-2800-10 | 3,240 | 37,300 | 1,090 | 9,042 | 11,381 | 15,412 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
F6F-5 | Jun-44 | 6,436 | 376 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,175 | P&W R-2800-10W | 3,240 | 37,403 | 1,090 | 1,305 | 9,153 | 11,381 | 15,412 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
F6F-5N | Sep-44 | 1,432 | 376 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,175 | P&W R-2800-10W | 3,240 | 37,403 | 1,090 | 1,305 | 9,153 | 11,381 | 15,412 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
USA | Chance-Vought F4U Corsair |
F4U-1 | Jul-42 | 2,469 | 392 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,000 | P&W R-2800-8 | 3,250 | 37,108 | 1,070 | 8,874 | 11,878 | 13,845 | 1 | 1 | FG-1/F3A-1/Mk I | |||||
F4U-1A | Apr-43 | 3,861 | 417 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,000 | P&W R-2800-8 | 3,250 | 36,895 | 1,019 | 8,982 | 11,093 | 13,999 | 1 | 1 | Mk II | bulb canopy | ||||||
F4U-1C | Apr-45 | 200 | 417 | 4 | 2,000 | 2,000 | P&W R-2800-8 | 3,250 | 36,895 | 1,019 | 8,982 | 11,093 | 13,999 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
F4U-1D | Mar-44 | 2,800 | 425 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,250 | P&W R-2800-8W | 3,250 | 33,900 | 1,019 | 1,562 | 8,694 | 12,039 | 13,120 | 1 | 1 | Mk II | pylons | |||||
F4U-2 | Jan-44 | 32 | 417 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,000 | P&W R-2800-8 | 3,250 | 36,895 | 1,019 | 8,982 | 11,093 | 13,999 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
F4U-4 | Oct-44 | 2,360 | 448 | 6 | 2,000 | 2,350 | P&W R-2800-18W | 4,170 | 38,400 | 1,005 | 9,343 | 12,505 | 14,533 | 1 | 1 | FG-4 | |||||||
USA | Curtiss P-36 Hawk | P-36A | Jun-35 | 210 | 300 | 1 | 1 | 1,050 | P&W R-1830-13 | 3,400 | 33,000 | 825 | 4,570 | 5,470 | 6,014 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Hawk 75-O | Nov-38 | 160 | 280 | 2 | 875 | Wright GR-180-G3 | 31,793 | 1,210 | 3,975 | 5,172 | 6,418 | 1 | 1 | incl other export versions | |||||||||
Hawk 75A-4 | Feb-39 | 291 | 323 | 4 | 1,200 | Wright GR-1820-G205A | 32,702 | 1,010 | 4,541 | 5,750 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
USA | Lockheed P-38 Lightning | P-38F | Mar-42 | 638 | 395 | 4 | 1 | 1,325 | Allison V-1710-49/53 | 2,850 | 39,044 | 850 | 12,264 | 15,900 | 18,000 | 1 | 2 | ||||||
P-38G | Jul-42 | 1,082 | 400 | 4 | 1 | 2,000 | 1,325 | Allison V-1710-51/55 | 2,850 | 39,000 | 850 | 1,750 | 12,200 | 15,800 | 19,800 | 1 | 2 | ||||||
P-38H | Apr-43 | 601 | 400 | 4 | 1 | 3,200 | 1,425 | Allison V-1710-89/91 | 2,850 | 40,000 | 850 | 2,400 | 12,380 | 16,000 | 20,300 | 1 | 2 | eng.+ | |||||
P-38J | Sep-43 | 2,970 | 420 | 4 | 1 | 3,200 | 1,425 | Allison V-1710-89/91 | 2,850 | 44,000 | 1,175 | 2,260 | 12,780 | 17,500 | 21,600 | 1 | 2 | deeper nose | |||||
P-38L | Jun-44 | 3,923 | 414 | 4 | 1 | 3,200 | 1,475 | Allison V-1710-111/113 | 2,850 | 40,000 | 1,175 | 2,260 | 14,112 | 17,500 | 21,618 | 1 | 2 | ||||||
USA | Bell P-39 Airacobra | P-39D | Apr-41 | 1,767 | 360 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 500 | 1,150 | Allison V-1710-35 | 2,400 | 32,100 | 600 | 1,100 | 5,462 | 7,500 | 8,200 | 1 | 1 | incl. P-400, P-39F | ||
P-39N | Nov-42 | 2,795 | 375 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 500 | 1,200 | Allison V-1710-85 | 2,500 | 35,000 | 500 | 1,000 | 5,645 | 7,570 | 8,100 | 1 | 1 | incl. P-39K/L/M | smaller fuel tank | |||
P-39Q | May-43 | 4,905 | 375 | 4 | 1 | 500 | 1,200 | Allison V-1710-85 | 2,500 | 35,000 | 525 | 1,075 | 5,645 | 7,570 | 8,100 | 1 | 1 | fewer, but bigger wing guns | |||||
USA | Curtiss P-40 Warhawk | P-40 | Jun-40 | 340 | 357 | 2 | 2 | 1,090 | Allison V-1710-33 | 3,080 | 32,570 | 800 | 5,376 | 6,787 | 7,215 | 1 | 1 | Tomahawk I | |||||
P-40B | Mar-41 | 241 | 352 | 4 | 2 | 1,090 | Allison V-1710-33 | 2,860 | 32,400 | 730 | 1,230 | 5,590 | 7,326 | 7,600 | 1 | 1 | Tomahawk IIA | ||||||
P-40C | Apr-41 | 1,123 | 345 | 4 | 2 | 1,090 | Allison V-1710-33 | 2,650 | 29,496 | 730 | 945 | 5,812 | 7,459 | 8,058 | 1 | 1 | Tomahawk IIB | ||||||
P-40D | May-41 | 582 | 362 | 4 | 500 | 1,150 | Allison V-1710-39 | 2,200 | 29,000 | 650 | 850 | 6,350 | 8,000 | 8,670 | 1 | 1 | Kittyhawk I | eng.+, wing guns | |||||
P-40E | Sep-41 | 2,320 | 362 | 6 | 1,150 | Allison V-1710-39 | 2,100 | 29,000 | 650 | 1,400 | 6,350 | 8,280 | 9,200 | 1 | 1 | Kittyhawk IA | +2 guns | ||||||
P-40F | Dec-41 | 1,560 | 364 | 6 | 1,300 | Packard V-1650-1 | 2,100 | 34,400 | 700 | 1,500 | 6,590 | 8,500 | 9,350 | 1 | 1 | Kittyhawk II | new eng. | ||||||
P-40K | Aug-42 | 1,300 | 362 | 6 | 500 | 1,325 | Allison V-1710-81 | 2,300 | 38,158 | 350 | 1,600 | 6,400 | 8,400 | 10,000 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-40L | Jan-43 | 720 | 368 | 4 | 500 | 1,300 | Packard V-1650-1 | 2,300 | 38,158 | 350 | 6,340 | 8,250 | 9,100 | 1 | 1 | Gypsy Rose Lee | stripped | ||||||
P-40M | Nov-42 | 600 | 362 | 6 | 500 | 1,200 | Allison V-1710-18 | 2,300 | 38,158 | 350 | 1,600 | 6,400 | 8,400 | 10,000 | 1 | 1 | Kittyhawk III | ||||||
P-40N | Mar-43 | 5,000 | 350 | 6 | 500 | 1,325 | Allison V-1710-81 | 2,120 | 31,000 | 750 | 1,080 | 6,000 | 8,350 | 11,400 | 1 | 1 | Kittyhawk IV | structure,wheels | |||||
USA | Republic P-47 Thunderbolt | P-47B | Mar-42 | 170 | 429 | 8 | 500 | 2,000 | R-2800-21 | 2,560 | 42,000 | 550 | 9,346 | 12,245 | 13,360 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
P-47C | Sep-42 | 602 | 433 | 8 | 500 | 2,000 | R-2800-21 | 2,780 | 40,000 | 640 | 1,250 | 9,900 | 13,500 | 14,925 | 1 | 1 | drop tank | ||||||
P-47D 1-24 | Feb-43 | 6,300 | 430 | 8 | 500 | 2,300 | R-2800-21 | 2,780 | 40,000 | 640 | 1,250 | 10,700 | 13,500 | 17,500 | 1 | 1 | Thunderbolt I | Razorback | |||||
P-47D 25.. | Sep-43 | 6,290 | 430 | 8 | 500 | 2,300 | R-2800-59 | 2,780 | 40,000 | 640 | 1,800 | 10,700 | 13,500 | 17,500 | 1 | 1 | Thunderbolt II | Bubble top | |||||
P-47G | Dec-42 | 354 | 430 | 8 | 500 | 2,300 | R-2800-21 | 2,780 | 40,000 | 640 | 1,250 | 10,700 | 13,500 | 17,500 | 1 | 1 | identical to P-47D | ||||||
P-47M | Dec-44 | 130 | 470 | 8 | 500 | 2,800 | R-2800-57(C) | 3,500 | 40,000 | 560 | 10,432 | 13,275 | 15,500 | 1 | 1 | sprint | |||||||
P-47N | Sep-44 | 1,816 | 460 | 8 | 2,500 | 2,800 | R-2800-57(C) | 2,770 | 40,000 | 800 | 2,350 | 11,000 | 16,300 | 20,700 | 1 | 1 | Pacific long range | ||||||
USA | North American P-51 Mustang |
P-51 early | Jun-42 | 1,200 | 390 | 1,200 | Allison V-1710-81 | 2,636 | 31,350 | 750 | 2,350 | 6,433 | 8,600 | 10,600 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-51A | Mar-43 | 310 | 390 | 4 | 1,000 | 1,200 | Allison V-1710-81 | 2,636 | 31,350 | 750 | 2,350 | 6,433 | 8,600 | 10,600 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-51B | May-43 | 2,000 | 433 | 4 | 1,000 | 1,620 | RR-Packard V-1650-3 | 3,222 | 42,000 | 810 | 2,200 | 6,840 | 9,200 | 11,200 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-51C | Aug-43 | 1,740 | 439 | 4 | 1,000 | 1,695 | RR-Packard V-1650-7 Merlin | 3,625 | 41,900 | 1,300 | 2,440 | 6,985 | 9,800 | 11,800 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-51D | Jan-44 | 8,000 | 437 | 6 | 1,000 | 1,695 | RR-Packard V-1650-7 Merlin | 3,475 | 41,900 | 950 | 2,300 | 7,125 | 10,100 | 12,110 | 1 | 1 | bubble, +2 guns | ||||||
P-51H | Mar-44 | 555 | 437 | 6 | 1,000 | 1,695 | RR-Packard V-1650-7 Merlin | 3,475 | 41,900 | 950 | 2,300 | 7,125 | 10,100 | 12,110 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
P-51K | Apr-44 | 1,337 | 437 | 6 | 1,000 | 1,695 | RR-Packard V-1650-7 Merlin | 3,475 | 41,900 | 950 | 2,300 | 7,125 | 10,100 | 12,110 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
USA | Northrop P-61 Black Widow | P-61A | Oct-43 | 200 | 369 | 4 | 6,000 | 2,250 | P&W R-2800-65 | 2,636 | 33,100 | 1,010 | 1,900 | 20,965 | 27,600 | 32,400 | 3 | 2 | |||||
P-61B-1 | Mar-44 | 450 | 366 | 4 | 6,000 | 2,250 | P&W R-2800-65 | 1,352 | 20,965 | 27,600 | 32,400 | 3 | 2 | radar+ | |||||||||
USA | Bell P-63 Kingcobra | P-63A | Oct-43 | 3,303 | 410 | 4 | 1 | 500 | 1,325 | Allison V-1710-93 | 2,900 | 43,000 | 950 | 2,575 | 6,380 | 8,800 | 10,509 | 1 | 1 |
Aircraft model and type | Production | Speed | Armament | Engine and Performance | Weight | Other | ||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Nat. | Mfr/Des. | model Name | type | Svc. Del. | # Built | MPH | 8mm | 13mm | 20mm | 37mm+ | Bomb | HP | Engine | Climb ft/min | Ceil FT | Rng Mi. | Ext Rng | Empty Wt. lb. | Loaded Wt. | Max.Wt. lb. | Crew | # Eng. | Oth Name | Modif. |
Russia | Polikarpov | I-153 | I-153 | Jun-39 | 2,000 | 276 | 4 | 220 | 1,000 | Shvetsov M-62R | 32,100 | 292 | 3,201 | 4,652 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
I-16 | type 10 | Mar-38 | 5,000 | 273 | 4 | 730 | M-25A | 29,500 | 497 | 2,976 | 4,519 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
I-16 | type 24 | Sep-39 | 5,000 | 304 | 4 | 930 | Shvetsov M-63 | 29,529 | 373 | 3,252 | 4,541 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
Russia | Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Goudkov | LaGG-1 | LaGG-1 | Jun-40 | 1,500 | 373 | 2 | 1 | 1,100 | Klimov M-105P | 31,498 | 410 | 6,543 | 7,452 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
LaGG-3 | LaGG-3 later | Jul-41 | 6,258 | 341 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 440 | 1,210 | Klimov M-105PA | 30,513 | 541 | 5,776 | 6,944 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Russia | Lavochkin | La-5 | La-5FN | Jun-43 | 1,500 | 403 | 2 | 440 | 1,850 | Shvetsov ASh-82FN | 31,170 | 482 | 6,173 | 7,407 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
La-7 | La-7 | Jun-43 | 5,753 | 423 | 3 | 440 | 1,850 | Shvetsov M-82FN | 31,170 | 615 | 5,816 | 7,496 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Russia | Mikoyan- Gurevich | MiG | MiG-1 | Jun-40 | 100 | 390 | 3 | 440 | 1,200 | Mikulin AM-35A | 39,372 | 454 | 5,736 | 6,832 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
MiG-3 | Sep-41 | 3,322 | 398 | 2 | 1 | 1,350 | Mikulin AM-35A | 39,372 | 777 | 5,721 | 7,385 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||||
Russia | Yakovlev | Yak | Yak-1 | Jul-41 | 8,721 | 373 | 2 | 1 | 1,100 | M(VK?)-105PA | 3,940 | 32,800 | 582 | 5,314 | 6,383 | 1 | 1 | |||||||
Yak-1M | Jun-42 | 404 | 2 | 1 | 1,260 | VK-105PF | 4,265 | 35,450 | 506 | 4,960 | 5,864 | 1 | 1 | smaller Yak-1 | ||||||||||
Yak-3 | Apr-43 | 4,848 | 404 | 2 | 1 | 1,220 | VK-105PF-2 | 4,265 | 35,450 | 506 | 4,960 | 5,864 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Yak-7 | Mar-42 | 6,400 | 380 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,260 | VK-105PF | 33,400 | 542 | 5,468 | 6,681 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Yak-9 | Aug-42 | 2,034 | 373 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,260 | VK-105PF-2 | 3,800 | 34,500 | 550 | 6,063 | 7,000 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Yak-9 | Oct-43 | 3,058 | 359 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,260 | VK-105PF-2 | 3,800 | 34,500 | 840 | 1,367 | 6,063 | 7,000 | 1 | 1 | extended range | |||||||
Yak-9 | Oct-43 | 2,748 | 367 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,260 | VK-105PF-2 | 34,500 | 550 | 6,063 | 7,055 | 1 | 1 | 37mm cannon | |||||||||
Yak-9M | Nov-43 | 4,239 | 359 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,260 | VK-105PF-2 | 3,800 | 34,500 | 550 | 6,063 | 7,000 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Yak-9U | Jan-44 | 2,500 | 435 | 2 | 1 | 450 | 1,650 | VK-107A | 4,920 | 34,500 | 550 | 6,000 | 7,000 | 1 | 1 | stronger frame | ||||||||
Japan | Mitsubishi | A5M4 'Claude' | A5M4 | Jun-38 | 1,000 | 270 | 2 | 125 | 775 | Nakajima Kotobuki 41 | 746 | 2,784 | 4,017 | 1 | 1 | Naval type 96 Carrier-borne Fighter | ||||||||
A6M2 Reisen 'Zero' | model 21 | Sep-40 | 3,900 | 331 | 2 | 2 | 925 | Nakajima Sakae 12 | 33,794 | 1,933 | 3,770 | 5,555 | 1 | 1 | Naval type 0 Carrier-borne fighter | |||||||||
Nakajima | A6M2 'Rufe' | -N | Apr-42 | 250 | 270 | 2 | 2 | 250 | 975 | Nakajima Sakae 12 | 32,810 | 1,106 | 4,215 | 5,920 | 6,436 | 1 | 1 | Naval type 2 Floatplane Fighter | ||||||
Mitsubishi | A6M3 Reisen 'Zero' | model 32 | Sep-41 | 900 | 339 | 2 | 2 | 250 | 1,100 | Nakajima NK1F Sakae 12 | 36,091 | 1,479 | 3,910 | 5,155 | 6,331 | 1 | 1 | Naval type 0 Carrier-borne fighter | ||||||
A6M5 Reisen 'Zero' | model 52 | Oct-44 | 5,700 | 339 | 2 | 2 | 250 | 1,100 | Nakajima NK1F Sakae 12 | 36,091 | 1,479 | 4,130 | 5,920 | 6,510 | 1 | 1 | Naval type 0 Carrier-borne fighter | |||||||
Japan | Nakajima | Ki.27 'Nate' | Otsu | Jun-38 | 3,400 | 292 | 2 | 220 | 780 | Nakajima Ha-1-Otsu | 2,953 | 34,400 | 625 | 2,447 | 3,638 | 3,946 | 1 | 1 | Army type 97 Fighter | |||||
Ki.43 Hayabusa 'Oscar' | I-Hei | Apr-41 | 5,900 | 306 | 2 | 990 | Nakajima Ha-25 | 38,552 | 746 | 4,354 | 5,824 | 5,694 | 1 | 1 | Army type 1 Fighter | |||||||||
II-Otsu | Apr-42 | incl | 320 | 2 | 1,100 | 1,140 | Nakajima Ha-115 | 3,250 | 36,747 | 1,060 | 4,211 | 5,850 | 6,448 | 1 | 1 | Army type 1 Fighter | ||||||||
Ki.44 Shoki 'Tojo' | II-Otsu | Aug-42 | 1,167 | 376 | 4 | 440 | 1,520 | Nakajima Ha-109 | 3,940 | 36,747 | 560 | 4,643 | 6,107 | 6,598 | 1 | 1 | Army type 2 Single-seat Fighter | |||||||
Kawanishi | Ki.45 Toryu 'Nick' | Ki.45 | Jun-42 | 1,701 | 336 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1,080 | Mitsubishi Ha-102 | 35,205 | 1,405 | 8,820 | 12,125 | 2 | 2 | type 2 Two-Seat Fighter | |||||||
Nakajima | Ki.61 Hien 'Tony' | Ki.61 | Feb-43 | 3,078 | 360 | 2 | 2 | 1,100 | 1,575 | Kawasaki Ha-40 | 32,810 | 671 | 5,798 | 7,650 | 1 | 1 | Army type 3 Fighter | |||||||
Ki.84 'Frank' | Ki.84 | Apr-44 | 3,514 | 388 | 2 | 2 | 1,100 | 1,900 | Nakajima Homare Ha-45 | 3,600 | 34,450 | 1,025 | 1,815 | 5,864 | 8,267 | 9,150 | 1 | 1 | ||||||
Kawanishi | N1K Shiden 'George' | N1K1-Ja | Dec-43 | 1,021 | 362 | 4 | 1,990 | Nakajima NK9H Homare 21 | 889 | 6,387 | 8,600 | 9,526 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
N1K2-J | Dec-44 | 416 | 369 | 4 | 1,100 | 1,990 | Nakajima Homare 21 | 35,304 | 1,069 | 5,858 | 8,818 | 10,714 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Ger | Messerschmitt Bf 109 | Bf 109B | Feb-36 | 100 | 292 | 3 | 635 | Jumo 210D | 2,200 | 26,575 | 3,483 | 4,850 | 1 | 1 | Bertha | |||||||||
Bf 109C-1 | Apr-37 | 100 | 292 | 4 | 730 | Jumo 210 | 2,200 | 26,575 | 388 | 3,521 | 5,062 | 1 | 1 | Clara | ||||||||||
Bf 109D | Jun-38 | 175 | 350 | 2 | 1 | 1,000 | DB 600 | 2,985 | 32,810 | 348 | 3,600 | 5,200 | 1 | 1 | Dora | |||||||||
Bf 109E-3 | Jun-39 | 4,000 | 350 | 2 | 2 | 1,100 | DB 601Aa | 3,200 | 34,451 | 410 | 4,189 | 5,875 | 1 | 1 | Emil | |||||||||
Bf 109F | Jan-41 | 2,200 | 390 | 2 | 1 | 1,300 | DB 601E | 4,290 | 39,000 | 440 | 4,330 | 6,054 | 1 | 1 | Friedrich | |||||||||
Bf 109G-1 | May-42 | 3,500 | 406 | 2 | 1 | 1,475 | DB 605A | 39,370 | 340 | 528 | 4,968 | 6,834 | 7,055 | 1 | 1 | Gustav | ||||||||
Bf 109G-6 | Mar-43 | 8,000 | 385 | 2 | 1 | 1,800 | DB 605AM | 3,346 | 37,890 | 350 | 620 | 5,893 | 7,500 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Bf 109G-10 | Jan-44 | 10,000 | 385 | 2 | 1 | 1,850 | DB 605D | 4,000 | 36,583 | 622 | 5,880 | 7,500 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Bf 109K | Oct-44 | 750 | 452 | 2 | 1 | 2,000 | DB 605AM | 4,823 | 41,000 | 356 | 6,000 | 7,439 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Ger | Messerschmitt Bf 110 | Bf 110C-4 | Jun-39 | 1,000 | 342 | 5 | 2 | 1,100 | DB 601A-1 | 2,200 | 32,800 | 696 | 9,950 | 15,000 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||
Bf 110D | Oct-39 | 300 | 342 | 5 | 2 | 1,100 | DB 601A-1 | 32,800 | 745 | 9,950 | 15,000 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
Bf 110E | Jun-41 | 300 | 342 | 5 | 2 | 4,410 | 1,210 | DB 601N | 35,760 | 745 | 9,950 | 15,000 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
Bf 110F | Jun-41 | 300 | 342 | 5 | 2 | 1,350 | DB 601F | 35,760 | 745 | 9,950 | 15,000 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||||
Bf 110G | Jan-43 | 3,000 | 342 | 4 | 2 | 1,475 | DB 601B-1 | 2,500 | 32,800 | 528 | 11,243 | 17,000 | 22,145 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
Ger | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 | Fw 190 A-1 | Jun-41 | 102 | 389 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,500 | BMW 801 C-1 | 497 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-2 | Nov-41 | 420 | 389 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,500 | BMW 801C-2 | 497 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||
Fw 190 A-3 | Apr-42 | 509 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801D-2 | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-4 | Jul-42 | 900 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801D-2 | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-5 | Nov-42 | 723 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801D-2 | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-6/7 | Jul-43 | 649 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801D-2 | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-8 | Jan-44 | 6,000 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801D-2 | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 A-9 | Nov-44 | 400 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 F-1/2 | Jan-43 | 289 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 F-3 | May-43 | 274 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 F-8 | Mar-44 | 5,300 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 F-9 | Oct-44 | 500 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 G-8 | Sep-43 | 800 | 408 | 2 | 4 | - | 1,700 | BMW 801 TS | 2,350 | 37,400 | 560 | 7,055 | 8,470 | 10,800 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Fw 190 D-9 | Jun-44 | 700 | 440 | 2 | 2 | 1,100 | 1,776 | Junkers Jumo 213A-1 | 3,300 | 32,810 | 560 | 7,700 | 9,300 | 10,670 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Ger | Junkers | Ju-88 | Ju 88A-4 | Jun-39 | 2,000 | 292 | 6 | 4,400 | 1,350 | Junkers Jumo 211J-1 | 26,904 | 1,697 | 21,737 | 25,000 | 30,864 | 4 | 2 | |||||||
Ju 88G-6 | Jun-44 | 360 | 1 | 6 | 1,750 | Junkers Jumo 213A-1 | 31,498 | 1,364 | 25,000 | 28,000 | 34,000 | 4 | 2 | |||||||||||
GB | Bristol | Beaufighter | Beaufighter TF Mk. X | Jun-43 | 5,562 | 320 | 4 | 4 | 2,000 | 1,770 | Bristol Hercules XVII | 19,013 | 1,470 | 15,600 | 25,400 | 2 | 2 | |||||||
GB | Gloster | Gladiator | Gladiator II | Jun-36 | 527 | 257 | 4 | 830 | Bristol Mercury IX | 33,499 | 441 | 3,444 | 4,863 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
GB | Hawker | Hurricane | Hurricane Mk. I | Mar-38 | 4,407 | 330 | 8 | 1,030 | R.R. Merlin III | 2,520 | 36,000 | 600 | 5,251 | 6,666 | 1 | 1 | Mk X, Sea Hurr. | |||||||
Hurricane Mk. IIB | Jan-41 | 9,644 | 340 | 12 | 1,000 | 1,185 | R.R. Merlin XX | 2,950 | 40,000 | 480 | 5,590 | 7,440 | 1 | 1 | Mk XII, Sea Hurr. | |||||||||
GB | Hawker | Typhoon | Typhoon Mk. IB | Jun-41 | 3,330 | 404 | 4 | 2,000 | 2,145 | Napier Sabre IIA | 34,122 | 951 | 8,700 | 12,919 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
GB | de Havilland | Mosquito | B.IV | Jun-42 | 7,800 | 380 | 2,000 | 1,230 | Rolls-Royce Mk.21 | 31,170 | 1,218 | 13,100 | 22,300 | 2 | 2 | |||||||||
NF.II | Jun-42 | incl | 370 | 4 | 4 | 1,440 | R.R. Merlin 23 | 36,091 | 1,200 | 1,703 | 13,433 | 22,300 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
FB Mk. VI | Jun-43 | incl | 380 | 4 | 4 | 2,000 | 1,250 | R.R. Merlin XXI | 36,091 | 1,206 | 14,299 | 22,300 | 2 | 2 | ||||||||||
NF Mk.30 | Jun-44 | incl | 410 | 4 | 1,710 | R.R. Merlin 76 | 1,181 | 15,157 | 22,300 | 2 | 2 | radar in nose | ||||||||||||
GB | Supermarine Spitfire | Mark I | Aug-38 | 1,566 | 355 | 8 | 1,030 | R.R. Merlin II | 2,530 | 34,000 | 395 | 4,810 | 5,784 | 1 | 1 | |||||||||
Mark II | Sep-40 | 920 | 354 | 8 | 1,175 | R.R. Merlin XII | 5,000 | 6,000 | 1 | 1 | eng+ | |||||||||||||
Mark V | Mar-41 | 6,464 | 374 | 4 | 2 | 500 | 1,440 | R.R. Merlin 45 | 37,000 | 470 | 5,099 | 6,417 | 6,786 | 1 | 1 | eng+ | ||||||||
Mark VII | Jun-42 | 140 | 408 | 4 | 2 | 1,710 | R.R. Merlin 64 | 43,000 | 660 | 5,350 | 7,000 | 7,875 | 1 | 1 | eng+ | |||||||||
Mark IX | Jul-42 | 5,665 | 408 | 4 | 2 | 1,565 | R.R. Merlin 61 | 4,100 | 44,000 | 435 | 5,635 | 7,500 | 9,500 | 1 | 1 | counter Fw190 | ||||||||
Mark VIII | Jun-43 | 1,658 | 1,565 | R.R. Merlin 61 | 5,635 | 7,500 | 9,500 | 1 | 1 | followed Mk IX | ||||||||||||||
Mark XIV | Mar-44 | 957 | 448 | 4 | 2 | 500 | 2,050 | R.R. Griffon 65 | 4,580 | 44,500 | 850 | 6,700 | 8,500 | 10,280 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||
Mark XVI | Jun-44 | 1,054 | 4 | 2 | 1,705 | Packard Merlin 266 | 6,000 | 8,000 | 10,000 | 1 | 1 |
Sources:
- Francis H. Dean, America's Hundred Thousand: U.S. Production Fighters of World War II, Schiffer Military History, 1996
- Joe Baugher's American Military Aircraft. This is one of my favorite kind of sites - lots of content not found on lots of other sites, and totally comprehensive in its own subject. If you want to know everything (prototypes, specifications, production, sub-types, serial numbers, users, etc) about the P-47 Thunderbolt, for example, this is the place. He has a related site of U.S. military aircraft serial numbers (by range, not each number) from the early 1900's to the present - equally awesome in its own subject.
- Best Fighter Planes of World War II by Chuck Hawks - a nice descriptive, narrative of the best fighters (P-51, Bf-109, Spitfire, Zero, Corsair, Fw-190, P-38, Hellcat) of the war. As a description and comparison, it's more readable than most airplane sites - which usually consist of specs and/or photos.