Tech & Auto
We Ranked The Top 10 WWII Fighter Aircraft
By JUSTIN OWEN
10. A6M Zero
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was among the aircrafts used in Japan's attacks on the U.S. at places like Pearl Harbor in 1942, devastating American planes at the time.
The lightweight aircraft was equipped with a 950-horsepower engine, helping it reach speeds of 331 mph and a service ceiling of 32,810 feet.
9. Fw190
Entering service in 1940, the Focke-Wulf Fw190 was one of Germany's widely produced planes and was the country's only fighter plane powered by a radial engine.
In its base configuration, its BMW 801 engine provided 1,776 horsepower and speeds of up to 426 mph. The plane proved too much for British aircrafts at the beginning of the war.
8. P-40
Also known as the Warhawk, Tomahawk, or Kittyhawk, the Curtiss P-40 was one of the lesser-known Allied planes, though it was by no means inferior.
Although it was a bit slower and less maneuverable than others, the plane gained a reputation for ruggedness, often outlasting its adversaries through its sheer toughness.
7. P-47 Thunderbolt
While the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was the heaviest single-engine fighter plane of the war, it was a versatile and highly capable craft used in various roles.
Equipped with a Pratt and Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engine, the P-47 had 2,000 horsepower, top speeds of 426 mph, and a turbocharger for high-altitude flying.
6. F6F Hellcat
The Grumman F6F Hellcat could be ranked among the top aircrafts; however, it was introduced late in the war, making its service time much shorter than others.
While early models suffered losses against the Japanese Zeroes, switching to a Pratt and Whitney Double Wasp 18-cylinder turbocharged radial engine shifted the balance of power.