Aircraft of the WW II Stories

Supermarine Spitfire

The emblem of the RAF durng the war years, the Spitfire was designed by Reginald Mitchell. The Type 300, as it was called, was first flown on 5 March 1936 after a couple of years of development. Production commenced as the Spitfire I, the first of a long line of variants that were produced till the end of the war. The Mark V was in service by the Battle of Britain. There are too many derivatives and details to discuss here. The Spitfire is one of the most celebrated fighters in aviation history, and was a match for its opponents right upto the war's end. The following data are for the Mark V.

Engine - 1475 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin 45. Max. Speed - 374 mph at 13000 ft. Range - 470 miles. Empty Weight - 5100 lb. Loaded Weight - 6785 lb. Wing Span - 36 ft 10 in. Length - 29 ft 11 in. Height - 12 ft 7.75 in. Armament - 8 .303 machine guns (VA), 4 .303 machine guns and 2 20-mm cannon (VB), 4 20-mm cannon (VC).

Hawker Hurricane

The RAF's first monoplane fighter, the Hurricane was designed by the great Sydney Camm. First flown on 6 Nov 1935, the fighter was constructed of light alloy steel tubing with fabric covering. Metal skinning was adopted on the production version, and deliveries to the RAF started in September 1939. Armed with eight machine guns, the Hurricane was less spectacular and famous than its stable mate the Spitfire, but equally effective, and a very stable gun platform. Hurricanes armed the majority of the RAF's fighter squadrons during the Battle of Britain, and served in all theatres in various roles. The data below are for the Mark I.

Engine - 1030 hp Rolls-Royce Merlin II. Max. Speed - 316 mph at 17750 ft. Range - 600 miles. Empty Weight - 5085 lb. Loaded Weight - 6661 lb. Wing Span - 40 ft 0 in. Length - 31 ft 5 in. Height - 12 ft 11.5 in. Armament - 8 .303 machine guns.

Messerschmitt ME-109

Bristol Beaufighter

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Bolton-Paul Defiant

Hawker Typhoon

Hawker Tempest

De Havilland DH98 Mosquito

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