Plane Details

Below are details on some of the new planes introduced in the Eastern Front Expansion.

GERMANY


Fw-190A1

Name: FW-190A1
Manufacturer: Focke-Wulf Flugzeugbau GmbH
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1700
Weight: 8,770 lbs.
Max Speed: 382 mph
Number of Guns: 6
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1941

In the spring of 1938 it was decided that another fighter be designed as a back up to the Bf-109. The Kurt Tank designed fighter was based on the radial engine, and not an inline engine. Since there was a surplus of radial engines, and a shortage of the inline, the Hienkel designed fighters were put on hold while the Focke-Wulf design proceeded.

Unlike any other fighter design, parts were made all over Germany, and the Focke-Wulf assembled at the airfields. Production continued until the end of the war, and the first units were equipped in June 1941.

There were 102 aircraft built under the A-1 designation, but engine over-heating issues resulted in the modified A-2 version that replaced the original Folke-Wulfs.

 



Me-262A-1 Schwalbe

Name: Me-262A-1
Manufacturer: Messerschmitt AG
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1,980 turbojet
Weight Max: 15,550 lbs.
Max Speed: 540 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1944

The second jet fighter of the war (the British Meteor I was deployed first), it was first flown in July of 1942. Hitler did not make a decision on the jet until November 1943, and only as a bomber. However the development team built both a fighter and bomber version under some subterfuge and risk to themselves.

The fastest plane in WWII, it suffered from engine fires, breakups, and the 30mm guns were prone to jam. Also, the landing gear had a tendency to collapse on landing. Still, 1,433 were built, and accounted for over 100 Allied bomber and fighter kills. However, a lack of fuel kept most of the "Swallows" grounded.

 



Do-17Z

Name: Do-17Z
Manufacturer: Dornier-Werke GmbH
Type: Medium Bomber
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1000
Max Weight: 18,937 lbs
Max Speed: 255 mph
Number of Guns: 6
Crew: 4
Year Introduced: 1938

First designed as a fast passenger aircraft, that was rejected by Lufthansa for being too slim, it so impressed an Air Minister that by the end of 1935 three factories were building the Do-17E version. However, shortcomings in the view for the crew, the nose housing was re-designed and a machinegun firing below to the rear was added.

535 bomber and recon versions were built, serving during the Blitz. Suffering heavy losses, it was still the most popular and reliable bomber during this period.

The design was so popular the export version became the Do-215, with upgraded engines. The design continued with the Do-217 and a prototype of the Do-317. The "Flying Pencil" was also used in the night fighter role.

JAPAN


Ki.84 Frank

Name: KI-84-1a
Manufacturer: Nakajima
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,990
Max Weight: 7,972 lbs
Max Speed: 392 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1944

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate (Gale-as in strong wind) was most likely the best fighter aircraft the Japanese put into mass production besides the A6M2. While it did not dominate like the Zero did upon its introduction into service, the Hayate more than held its own especially considering how badly the war was going for the Japanese in 1944.

Designed to take the role of the Ki-43 and Ki-44 for the Japanese Army Air Force, the Hayate was able to out-turn a Spitfire, out-run and out-climb a P-51H at 20,000 ft, and was the equal or better to any Allied plane it faced. It had 4 blades on its propeller and was the only JAAF fighter to have this feature.

The true capabilities were never fully realized due to poor pilot training in 1944-45 and the shortage of alloy to use in its guns.

 

 


J7W1 Shinden

Name: J7W1 Shinden
Manufacturer: Kyushu Hikoki
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 2,130 hp
Max Weight: 10,841 lbs.
Max Speed: 469 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1945

The J7W1 "Shinden" which is Japanese for Magnificent Lightning was the first plane to go into any stage of production with a canard configuration. A canard configuration means the wings were mounted at or near the rear of the aircraft. This configuration is used on some of today’s newer fighter planes.

The "brainchild" of Captain Masaoki Tsuruno, the Shinden was also one of the strangest looking aircraft to be dreamed up in WWII by not only looking like a goose, but strange that the engineers mounted the engine backwards inside the rear half of the fuselage. The radial, air-cooled power plant drove a 6-blade, pusher propeller on the end of an extended drive shaft. With the propeller fitted at the tail, it was necessary to use a tricycle landing gear consisting of one wheel and strut mounted under the nose and two under the wings.

Compounding its unusual makeup, the Shinden was also ordered into production before even its first test flight. At this stage of the war the Japanese had little choice as the Allies were pounding their cities with air raids on a regular basis. Captian Tsuruno made its first test flight on August 3, 1945. He flew two more times on the 6th and the 9th, but before he could fly his 4th time, the war ended.

There were two prototypes made and there were plans for a turbo-jet version when war was halted. The US Navy dismantled and sent the second prototype home for testing but is not believed to have been test flown. In 1960 it was sent for display at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institute.

 

 


Ki.21 SALLY

Name: Ki-21-I
Manufacturer: Mitsubishi
Type: Medium Bomber
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1,490 hp
Max Weight: 16,517 lbs.
Max Speed: 268 mph
Number of Guns: 5
Crew: 7
Year Introduced: 1936

Considered one of Japan’s best bombers during WWII, the Sally proved itself to have great performance and range. Its downfall was its poor structural strength. The Sally entered service in 1937 and was flown in every theatre the Japanese army entered.

It was constantly being reengineered and improved and had the distinction of being in service to the Japanese army longer than any other combat aircraft.

The Sally was used at the end of the war to carry VIPs to the negotiations for Japan’s surrender.

 

 


POLAND


P.11C

Name: P.11C
Manufacturer: PZL (Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze)
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 600 hp
Max Weight: 3,638 lbs.
Max Speed: 233 mph
Number of Guns: 2
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1934

The P.11c was one of the very first metal covered aircraft. Designed when most others were still wood and canvas biplanes, this craft also used a redesigned wing that dipped in the middle to give its pilot better visibility. They were also advantaged with a very durable construction that could take off from rough, short fields easily.

Unfortunately, it was quickly made obsolete as other countries brought out their metal designs. Most P.11c aircraft were equipped with only 2 machineguns and only a few had a radio.

The P.11c is remembered as the first aircraft shot down in all of World War II. On the upside, it also happened to be the plane type to claim the first Allied victory by shooting down two Do 17Es. It was also the first airplane to successfully ram an enemy plane during WWII.

 

 


P.23 Karas

Name: P.23
Manufacturer: PZL
Type: Light Bomber
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 720 hp
Max Weight: 6,378 lbs.
Max Speed: 198 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 3
Year Introduced: 1936

The PZL.23 Karas was the main light bomber used during the Polish September Campaign. This low wing, metal design raised the pilot’s seat and lowered the engine to create better visibility for the pilot.

The plane’s main problems involved its low speed, low durability (it could crash on take-offs or landings while using rough airfields) lack of armor and poor maneuverability. Despite these shortcomings, the plane was successful against German fighters during the Polish September Campaign in 1939. The P.23 is also remembered for delivering the first bomb attack on German territory when it bombed a factory in Olawa.

At the start of the war, only 168 P.23B aircraft were in use, 50 of which being in flight schools or under repair. By the end of the war, not a single P.23B was left in Poland.

 

 


P.37 Los

Name: PZL.37 Los
Manufacturer: PZL
Type: Medium Bomber
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 940hp
Max Weight: 19,580 lbs
Max Speed: 256 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 4
Year Introduced: 1938

The PZL-37 was built with both single and double tail fins, each engine pod housed a Bristol Pegasus XIIB radial engine. The PZL-37 was a very reliable aircraft that could carry a heavier bomb load than even the British Wellington but was smaller than most medium bombers. It was fast, easy to handle and could operate from rough airfields or even meadows.

Its greatest weakness was having only three machine guns, which left it vulnerable to enemy fighters. As the war began, the PZL-37s were relocated throughout the countryside to protect them from German bomber attacks. They spent their service performing daylight bombing runs on German armored columns. Their lack of fighter support and the fact that they usually flew their missions as groups of only three bombers caused them to suffer heavy losses.

Even after the German forces overran Poland, only two PZL-37s fell into enemy hands because the Polish workers destroyed those planes still in production or being repaired before they were found.

Sometimes the plane is called the P-37 instead of the PZL-37, but the single letter “P” was generally reserved for fighters of Pulawski’s design including the P-1 through the P-12 (the plane he crashed in causing his untimely death).


RUSSIA

 


Polikarpov I-15

Name: I-15 Chato
Manufacturer: Polikarpov
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 800 hp
Max Weight: 3,124 lbs
Max Speed: 216 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1934

Originally designed in 1933 by Nikoli Nikolay Polikarpov, the I-15 Chato was maybe the best biplane to ever see combat. While the early versions had problems maintaining level flight at high speeds, the I-15 also could make a complete turn in 8 seconds, making it much more agile than any plane in its class. With a gulled upper wing it also had an improved pilots forward field of vision. The trade off was that pilots had a hard time seeing the horizon both during flight and especially during landing.

In 1936, Russia sent a squadron to support the Spanish Republic. It was a hit with the pilots because of its ease of take off and landing made it a plane even inexperienced pilots could use. This convinced the Russians to continue with production.

In 1938, the new 1-15bis was sent to Manchuria to support the Chinese Nationalists. With improvements to the plane including a conventional wing, a new 750hp engine, a greater fuel capacity, and upgraded from 2 7.62mm forward guns to 4, the I-15bis truly set itself apart from the rest of the pack.

The I-15bis was used in Spain, Mongolia, Finland, Russia, and even during the Japanese campaign in 1945. While better fighters were being developed to replace it, the I-15bis still protected the USSR’s borders in a small role until 1941 and served in various roles through the end of the war.

 

 


I-16-10

Name: I-16 Type 10
Manufacturer: Polikarpov
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1
Weight: 4,149 lbs
Max Speed: 290 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1939

Pilots felt the controls of the I-16 were light and very sensitive, abrupt maneuvers resulted in spins, and spin behavior was excellent. A barrel roll could be performed in under 1.5 seconds. The machine guns were fired with a cable and the required effort, this made precision firing difficult. The tail heavy I-16 was easy to handle on unprepared airfields because the aircraft was rather unlikely to flip over the nose even if the front wheels dug in.
The start of Spanish Civil War in 1936 saw pleas from the Republican forces for fighter aircraft. The Nationalists nicknamed the stubby fighter "Rata" (Rat), while the Republicans lovingly called it "Mosca" (Fly). The four-gun Type 10 was nicknamed "Super Mosca" or simply "Super."
I-16 Type 10s were supplied to China. This model added a second set of 7.62 mm guns, armor behind the pilot, and had a slightly upgraded 560 kW (750 hp) M-25 engine. At the start of WWII, these aircraft fought against the Japanese, beating the Ki.27. The Japanese then introduced the Zero in 1940 and swept the I-16 from the skies.

 

 


I-153

Name: I-153 Chaika
Manufacturer: Polikarkov
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 800 hp
Max Weight: 3,883 lbs.
Max Speed: 265 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1939

The I-153 Chaika was a reintroduction of the I-15 with the gulled wing being brought back. It was the fastest of all bi-planes with a top speed of about 280mph. In addition to being fast, its maneuverability was almost unmatched in out turning his opponent.

Its first production started in 1938 and 3047 were produced by 1941. It served with the I-15 in Manchuria against the Japanese and their new monoplane fighter, the Ki-27 Nate. At first they were severely over matched until the Soviet pilots employed a strategy, which at the beginning was particularly effective. The I-153 approached an enemy with extended undercarriage and at about 250kph. The Japanese were expecting a familiar I-15 and made the usual military preparations. Not until the last minute before combat was engaged, did the Soviet pilots retract the undercarriage, give full throttle and surprise the Japanese with their speed and fire efficiency.

Also serving in the Finnish war, the I-153 was used in front line service against the Luftwaffe during Operation Barbarossa in June of 1941.

 

 


LA-5

Name: La-5
Manufacturer: Polikarpov
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,850 hp
Max Weight: 7,198 lbs.
Max Speed: 403 mph
Number of Guns: 2
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1942

The La-5 was a redesigned aircraft from the LaGG-1 by designers Lavochkin, Gorbunov and Goudkov.

The La-5 was a wonderful improvement. Pilots declared it superior to the Yak-7. It had an excellent roll rate, its speeds were comparable with German fighters and it could complete a full circle in less than 19 seconds.

On the down side, the plane could only stay in the air for 40 minutes at a time. Also, there was a separate control lever for the throttle, the mixture, propeller pitch, radiator, cowl flaps, and the supercharger gearbox which tended to distract the pilot while he was trying to conduct a battle. In fact, just to create a rapid acceleration involved six different levers. The German aircraft used only one automatic engine control lever to get this same effect.

 

 


LA-7

Name: La-7
Manufacturer: Lavochkin
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,850 hp
Max Weight: 7,183 lbs.
Max Speed: 425 mph
Number of Guns: 2
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1943

In 1943 Lavochkin and other engineers at the Central Aerohydrodynamics Institute decided to begin redesign and improvement efforts for the La-5. The resulting La-7, build almost entirely out of metals, flew with better performance due to several streamlining changes.

This new aircraft was a favorite with the Soviet aces. It was the only soviet fighter to successfully shoot down a German Me-262.

During the many La-7 redesigns the Soviets decided to experiment with liquid fuelled propulsion. Attempts were made with a tail-mounted liquid fuelled rocket engine (La-7R), two under-wing pulsejets (La-7D), and two under-wing ramjets(La-7S) each using variations off the idea of having the aircraft intake air, adding a combustible mixture of fuels and shooting the air out a rear exhaust tube.

None of these jet designs went into production.

 

 


MiG-3

Name: MiG-3
Manufacturer: Mikoyan-Gurevich
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,350 hp
Max Weight: 7,390 lbs.
Max Speed: 400 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1941

The MiG-3 was a redesign of the MiG-1. This new aircraft answered the call for a high altitude fighter. Unfortunately, most air battles took place in medium or low altitude where the MiG-3 lost its superior maneuverability and performance.

The plane was immediately produced in high numbers, which gave it the advantage of availability. The MiG-3 became the main fighter for the Soviet Union and was put to use in a variety of ways including low air to ground attacks, high-altitude interceptor missions and air defense.

The planes primary disadvantages included poor handling characteristics, poor maneuverability at high altitudes and minimal armor. The MiG-3 went out of production when the engine it used (the AM-35) was discontinued.

 

 


Yak-1

Name: Yak-1
Manufacturer: Yakovlev
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,180 hp
Max Weight: 6,343 lbs.
Max Speed: 368 mph
Number of Guns: 1
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1940

The Yak-1 was in a constant state of testing and redesign. Even after the aircraft was completed and approved, the factory got thousands of updates and changes, which caused frustrations throughout construction.

Each plane was almost individually built from scratch due to the updates, which caused problems with maintenance later since few parts could be interchanged with other planes.

Throughout the Yak-1’s operational career, the primary problem for the pilots involved its engine overheating. This caused a build-up of heat in the cockpit, oil splatters on the windshield, and a shorter time it could remain in the air.

The plane could, however take an incredible amount of damage and remain operational. One pilot’s story from the battle for Moscow tells of a Yak-1 battling a Luftwaffe aircraft. The Yak-1’s guns jammed so the Soviet pilot rammed the German plane, destroying it, then returned to base and landed safely.

 

 


Yak-3

Name: Yak-3
Manufacturer: Yakovlev
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,290 hp
Max Weight: 5,864 lbs.
Max Speed: 401 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1944

The Yak-3 was an improvement on the Yak-1. Interestingly, the Yak-3 was built after the Yak-9 even though it had a lower identification number. Among the improvements was plywood, instead of fabric, covering over the rear fuselage. This became one of the plane’s disadvantages because the wood tended to split and tear off the plane during high speed dives. The plane did, however, receive improved armor, a shorter wingspan, a new canopy with better all-around visibility and an improved engine cooling system.

The Yak-3 was an impressive dogfighter. Its roll speed matched the Fw-190, it could complete a full circle in 18.6 seconds, and proved to be an overall superior low altitude fighter.

Yak-3 production stopped in 1946. 4,848 were produced.

 

 


Yak-9D

Name: Yak-9D
Manufacturer: Yakovlev
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,180 hp
Max Weight: 6,858 lbs.
Max Speed: 367 mph
Number of Guns: 2
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1943

Over 16,000 Yak-9s were built with 22 different modifications including the Yak-9T. One interesting aspect of a Yak-9 was the need to hand-crank a small cockpit-mounted oil pump before starting. This would provide lubrication to the engine. If the cranking procedure was not followed the plane tended to bank during take-off.

The first refinement to the Yak-9 was theYak-9T, where the T stood for Tyazhelowooruzheny or heavily armed. It was fitted with a 37mm cannon instead of the common 20mm cannon. To keep the plane from overbalancing, the cockpit was moved back 1.3 feet.

The D variant was a long-range version with its fuel load increased from 115 gallons to 170 gallons. However, the aircraft lacked radio navigation equipment and this reduced their long-range effectiveness.

A serious drawback to the larger gun was the lack of ammunition. Each plane held only 30 rounds at take-off. This created the need for short 2-3 round bursts and careful aiming. Luckily, only one hit was usually needed to shoot down an enemy fighter. The plane was used extensively in the Black Sea against enemy ships. The plane was also useful against tanks.

With the sheer number of Yak-9s built, this plane series became one of the most heavily produced aircraft of all time. As one German survivor of the air battles over Russia stated, "The Yak was no match for the ME-109 but there were always so many… they swarmed like bees whenever we showed up."


 


Yak-9U

Name: Yak-9U
Manufacturer: Yakovlev
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,500hp
Max Weight: 7,049 lbs.
Max Speed: 417 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1943

The all metal Yak-9U became the definitive interceptor/fighter version of the Yak-9 series. The U stood for Uluchshenny (improved). It was designed with a new engine giving it 1,500 hp which allowed it a top speed of 417mph and an armament of both a 23mm cannon with 60 rounds and a 20mm cannon with 120 rounds.

The Yak-9U was regarded as equivalent in performance and handling to its American counterpart, the P-51D Mustang.





IL-4

Name: IL-4
Manufacturer: Ilyushin Design Bureau
Type: Medium Bomber
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1,100 hp
Max Weight: 21,501 lbs.
Max Speed: 261 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 3 early / 4 late
Year Introduced: 1935

The low wing, twin-engine bomber IL-4 was widely used throughout WWII by the Soviet Air Force. It specialized in long-range missions but due to its weak defenses was forced to perform night missions for its own safety. Throughout its career, the IL-4 was used as a bomber, torpedo-bomber, paratrooper carrier, glider tug, transport, and reconnaissance aircraft.

The IL-4 was very durable and reliable. It was easy to handle unless it was overloaded with bomb loads. The IL-4 was the first Russian bomber to attack Berlin on August 8, 1941. 5,256 IL-4s were produced.


 


IL-2M

Name: IL-2
Manufacturer: Ilyushin Design Bureau
Type: Light Bomber
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1,770 hp
Max Weight: 9,976 lbs. empty
Max Speed: 258 mph
Number of Guns: 3
Crew: 2
Year Introduced: 1940

The shear number of this slow but very sturdy aircraft was one of the primary reasons for the German defeat of the Easter Front. At one point Stalin 'motivated' the production facility by saying: "The Red Army needs the Il-2 as it needs air or bread. I demand construction of more Il-2's. This is my last warning." Production rate after this increased significantly.

One of the best features of this aircraft was its armor. The plane was protected with 1,543 lbs of armor protecting the engine, pilot and fuel tank. In an IL-2 redesign, a more powerful engine was installed to improve the plane’s horsepower. Instead of increasing the performance or speed of the IL-2, however, the engineers increased the armor weight even more to 2,183 lbs.

One version of the IL-2 included a rear gunner. The nearly impenetrable armor given to the pilot was unfortunately not extended around this gunner area. One statistic suggests that for every pilot casualty in an IL-2 there were about 7 killed gunners. Because of this, some Gulag prisoners volunteered to serve as Il-2 gunners in exchange for freedom. This armor problem was solved only on the modified IL-10 with both crew members sharing a common armored cockpit.

 



Pe-2

Name: Pe-2
Manufacturer: Petlyakov Design Bureau
Type: Medium Bomber
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1,260 hp
Max Weight: 13,119 empty
Max Speed: 360 mph
Number of Guns: 5
Crew: 4
Year Introduced: 1939

Vladimir Petlyakov, the main designer of the Pe-2 actually created the Pe-2 from his prison cell. After being arrested (probably for selling the design for the Messerschmitt Bf-110 heavy fighter to the Germans) he was assigned to design of a high-altitude fighter.

This all-metal aircraft went through many redesigns due to many problems and failures. One problem that never really went away was the planes tendency to bounce during landings due to poor shock absorbers. Also, the wings had been designed for fighters which could keep from stalling by maintaining high speeds. On a bomber carrying heavy loads, the speeds slowed dangerously for this short winged design. The pilot had to control the aircraft with great care to keep from stalling.

One of the problems that were quickly corrected was the armor for both the pilot and the gunner. Gunners were wounded at a rate of 10 to 1 with the pilots. The addition of armor improved the survivability for the gunner.

One problem that became increasingly worse as time went on was the production standards for the planes being built. As skilled factory crews were eliminated they were replaced with unskilled workers including children.

 

 


Pe-8

Name: Pe-8
Manufacturer: Tupolev Design Bureau
Type: Heavy Bomber
Number of Engines: 4
Horsepower: 1,350 hp
Max Weight: 59,400 lbs.
Max Speed: 276 mph
Number of Guns: 5
Crew: 11
Year Introduced: 1940

Although only a few Pe-8 missions were flown, this aircraft was the only Heavy Bomber used by the Soviet Union during WWII. It had the capability to carry over 11,000 pounds of bombs over short ranges. The Pe-8 also saw long range bombing missions in Hungary, Romania and Germany.

One of the most notable uses of the Pe-8 was its involvement in transporting Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov to Britain and the USA in 1942 to discuss opening a second front against Germany.

The Pe-8 was also part of the first Soviet bombing missions to successfully bomb Berlin. Unfortunately, it was a haphazard attack with no focused target. The five pilots that made it all the way to Berlin (out of eight) simply arrived and dropped their bombs. It had a wonderful effect, however, on Soviet morale.

 

 

UNITED KINGDOM

 


Spitfire IX

Name: Spitfire Mk IX LF/F/HF C or E
Manufacturer: Supermarine
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 1565-2030
Weight: 5635 lb
Max Speed: 415 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1942

The Mk IX spitfire was created to counter the increasing threat of the FW190 but because the new MK VII and VIII were not ready for production yet as an interim measure the new two speed two stage supercharged Merlin 60 series engine was attached to a Mk V airframe (which was also an interim aircraft as it was a Mk II with the then new single speed single stage Merlin 45 attached to counter the new Bf-109F)

In June 1942 RAF 64 squadron based at Hornchurch were the first to receive the new Spitfire who’s visible differences were a second radiator and a four bladed prop.

The MK IX came in three major engine variants for Hi/Med/Lo altitude use and these were designated HF using the Merlin 70 and F using the Merlin 61/63/63 plus LF using Merlin 66 and two major wing types which were the C wing (4x303+2x20mm or the E wing (2x.5+2x20mm) and later model variants had bubble canopies. Wingtips could be extended, normal or clipped, it was usual for the HF variants to have extended tips and the others to use normal tips, rarely were they clipped

The spitfire IX has the distinction of the highest altitude combat recorded by any piston aircraft when one intercepted a JU 86P at 41,000 ft finishing at 43,000ft

The major early variant would be a LF IXC with a 1705hp Merlin 66 and a later 1944 variant would be an LF IXE with a Merlin 66 with extended rudder, gyro gun sight and bubble canopy, with the option of 2030hp on 150 octane fuel.

 



Tempest V

Name: Tempest V
Manufacturer: Hawker Aircraft Co. Ltd.
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 2,260 hp
Max Weight: 13,640 lbs.
Max Speed: 435 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1942

The Tempest V was a fast, maneuverable and heavily armed aircraft. In its first month of operations Tempests claimed fifty-two German fighters and 89 locomotives.

It was said to be the Me-262’s most dangerous opponent. One way the Tempest was able to combat the Me-262 was with a technique called “rat code”. The Tempests would be warned of approaching enemy jets. The pilots would not go after the 262s in a straight air to air combat but would wait near the airfield that the Me-262 would return and land at. The Tempest pilot would then attack the 262 while it made its descent, taking advantage of the lower speeds and the downed flaps.

The Tempest was one of the last piston-engine front line fighters. This particular aircraft was one of the best examples of the maximum performance possible with a piston engine and propeller combination.

 



Halifax

Name: Halifax
Manufacturer: Handley Page Ltd.
Type: Heavy Bomber
Number of Engines: 4
Horsepower: 1,615 hp
Max Weight: 65,000 lbs.
Max Speed: 282 mph
Number of Guns: 9
Crew: 7
Year Introduced: 1939

The Halifax Bomber was considered one of the best heavy bombers used in WWII. Although it had a tail design flaw that caused it to go into an uncontrollable spin during choppy air conditions found in combat, it was considered a reliable aircraft and was appreciated for its ability to carry a heavy bomb load.

This was predominantly a night mission aircraft. The Halifax flew over 75,000 missions, dropping more than 227,000 tons of bombs. It was also used to move troops, drop paratroopers, an ambulance, and as a glider tug.

Although over 2,000 Halifax bombers were built, only four completed 100 missions and today there are no functioning Halifax bombers.

 


USA


F6F HELLCAT


Name: F6F Hellcat
Manufacturer: Grumman
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 1
Horsepower: 2000
Weight: 15,487 lb
Max Speed: 375 mph
Number of Guns: 6
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1943

The most successful fighter of the Pacific, it shot down 5,156 Japanese planes to a loss of only 270 of its own in air combat. In effect an enlarged F4F, with larger engine and more streamlined, its first prototype was flown in 1942. Entering combat in 1943, it exhibited a great balance of firepower, performance, great strength, and decent agility. Around 250 were transferred to the UK under lend lease.

 

 


P-38F

Name: P-38F Lightning
Manufacturer: Lockheed
Type: Fighter
Number of Engines: 2
Horsepower: 1,325 hp
Max Speed: 395 mph
Number of Guns: 4
Crew: 1
Year Introduced: 1939

The P-38F was wonderfully successful as a very long-range fighter. This aircraft could escort bombers deeply into enemy territory reducing risk to the bombers they were protecting. In fact a P-38F could fly all the way from Britain to Berlin and back to Britain. This made it perfect not only for escort missions but also for reconnaissance missions as well.

This fighter was used in the Pacific, European and North Africa theatres. It could out climb and out dive most other fighters including the Zero. It specialized in flying at a very high altitude and diving down onto its enemy with guns blazing. After a dive it would then return to the high altitude safe and out of reach of its opponent and prepare for the next attack.

The P-38F was known by several different names. The US called it the Lightning but the Germans called it the Fork Tailed Devil and to the Japanese it was known as The Whispering Death.

 



B-24D

Name: B-24D Liberator
Manufacturer: Consolidated Aircraft Company
Type: Heavy Bomber
Number of Engines: 4
Horsepower: 1,200 hp
Max Weight: 64,000 lbs.
Max Speed: 303 mph
Number of Guns: 11
Crew: 10
Year Introduced: 1939

The B-24 Liberator was an improvement on the Lancaster Heavy Bomber. Together, both of these bombers were the primary bombing force of the American Army Air Force. The B-24D was among over 18,000 B-24s made out of the US. With plants across the country building these planes, as fast as possible they became a common sight in the skies over Europe, the Pacific and Africa immediately after the US entered the war.

Not only could they carry a considerable bomb load, but also the B-24 could then take that load on an impressively long-range mission. An advantage of a Liberator was its ability to take great amounts of damage and remain airborne. One of the very useful design features of this aircraft was its self-sealing fuel tanks.

B-24s from the Seventh Air Force were the first to bomb the Japanese home islands.

One of the jobs given to these large bombers was as maritime patrol. The long range capabilities on these aircraft allowed them to sweep the Atlantic Gap looking for and bombing U-boats. They are credited with 72 U-boat kills.

One of the primary problems with the B-24D was the placement of the bomb racks inside the aircraft. When loaded, the bombs left only a small isle from the front of the plane to the rear. This isle was too narrow for a crew member to walk through while wearing his parachute. For this reason, the B-24D was given the nickname of the “Flying Coffin”.