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64 August 2020 THAT WERE KEY TO THE ALLIES’ SUCCESS IN WORLD II

BY HAL BRYAN

ONE OF THE CENTRAL THEMES OF EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH was slated to be a commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. AirVenture may have been canceled this year in light of unprecedented world events, but that doesn’t mean we won’t pause and reflect on the valor and the sacrifice of those veterans who saved the free world three-quarters of a century ago. To that end, here, in order of the year of their introduction, are 20 aircraft that played vital roles in that conflict. These are types that you might have seen at Oshkosh this year had things gone as we’d originally planned.

DH.82 TIGER MOTH CLICK HERE TO SEE A VIDEO ABOUT MANUFACTURER: AIRCRAFT CO. THAT WON WWII CATEGORY: TRAINER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Designer Georey de Havilland built his first in 1909 and started his professional aviation career the following year. A decade later, he founded his own company that produced a series of successful designs. The DH.82 Tiger Moth was developed from the popular DH.60 series and first flew in October 1931. The DH.82 was built in huge numbers from 1931 to 1944 and served as the primary trainer for the ’s Royal . The type was built under license by multiple manufacturers. The Canadian variant, distinguished by its enclosed canopy, was the backbone of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, an extraordinary eort that produced more than 130,000 trained Allied air crew in alone.

MODEL 75/PT-13/PT-17/ N2S STEARMAN

MANUFACTURER: STEARMAN AIRCRAFT/ CATEGORY: TRAINER YEAR INTRODUCED:

The Stearman Aircraft Corp. was founded in 1927 by designer Lloyd Stearman after he left Travel Air, his partnership with fellow household aviation names Walter Beech and Clyde Cessna. The Model 75 Kaydet was used as a primary trainer for all branches of the U.S. armed forces before and during WWII. More than 10,000 of the sturdy radial-engine were built, largely by Boeing after the company acquired Stearman in 1934. The airplane was known by many names but, to many people, it will always simply be a Stearman.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIN BRUEGGEN www.eaa.org65 WINNING

HURRICANE

MANUFACTURER: LTD. CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Often overshadowed by its younger brother, the Spitfire, the was a British fighter that first flew in 1935. Hawker had built a series of successful fighters in the interwar period, but the Hurricane was the company’s — and the RAF’s — first modern fighter (after the Bristol M.1 used in ). During the storied and pivotal , the Hurricane made up the bulk of the RAF Fighter Command and accounted for a majority of the enemy aircraft shot down. There were nearly 15,000 Hurricanes built from 1937 to 1944. Only a handful remain in flying condition.

T-6 TEXAN/SNJ/HARVARD

MANUFACTURER: CATEGORY: TRAINER YEAR INTRODUCED:

If you were an Allied pilot during WWII, whether you started in a Tiger Moth or a Stearman or another primary trainer, the odds were that you did your advanced training in the T-6. Known to the U.S. as the SNJ, and in , Canada, and other Commonwealth countries as the Harvard, the prototype first flew in April 1935. Powered by a 650-hp Pratt & Whitney Wasp radial, the T-6 served to introduce pilots to increased speeds, improved maneuverability, and more complex aircraft systems like retractable . More than 15,000 were built. The type remains extremely popular with enthusiasts and air show performers to this day.

B-17 FLYING FORTRESS

MANUFACTURER: BOEING CATEGORY: YEAR INTRODUCED:

The prototype for what would become the B-17, Boeing’s Model 299, first flew in July 1935. A reporter from the Seattle Times dubbed the bomber, which was massive for its time, a “Flying Fortress.” Boeing trademarked the name immediately. The 299 crashed and was destroyed on its second test flight, rendering the design ineligible for the Army Air Corps proposal it was competing for. Despite this setback, the Air Corps ordered 13 prototypes for testing, and it was impressed. Ultimately, more than 12,000 B-17s were produced and the type served with great distinction as a , particularly in the European theater.

66 August 2020 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN DIBBS, CONNOR MADISON, SCOTT SLOCUM WARBIRDS

SPITFIRE

MANUFACTURER: SUPERMARINE AVIATION WORKS CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Considered by many to be one of the most beautiful airplanes ever built, the Supermarine Spitfire is a British icon. Supermarine Aviation Works was a subsidiary of Vickers-Armstrongs when R.J. Mitchell began designing the Type 300, the airplane that would become the Spitfire. Before that, the company, as is evident from the name, was best known for flying boats and race-winning seaplanes. The Spitfire was flown by the air forces of Great Britain, Canada, and the , among dozens of other friendly nations. It spawned multiple marks and variants, including the carrier-based Seafire. More than 20,000 of the sleek and capable fighters were built, and the design has come to symbolize the RAF.

P-40 WARHAWK

MANUFACTURER: CURTISSWRIGHT CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Perhaps best known as the iconic shark-mouthed mount of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the , the Curtiss P-40 first flew in 1938. Early variants of the fighter used by Soviet and British Commonwealth forces were known as the Tomahawk. Later versions were dubbed Kittyhawk. P-40s were produced from 1939 to 1944 and used by Allied air forces in multiple theaters of the war. Even the Japanese army reportedly used as many as 10 captured Warhawks operationally in Burma. More than 13,000 were built, making the P-40 the third-most produced U.S. fighter after the P-51 and P-47.

SBD DAUNTLESS

MANUFACTURER: DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CATEGORY: BOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

The Dauntless naval traces its roots to the Northrop BT-1, a project started in 1935 by an early incarnation of the Northrop Corp., which was dissolved and absorbed into Douglas Aircraft in 1937. While a version of the Dauntless, the A-24 Banshee, was built and used by the U.S. Army Air Forces, the type is best known for its service with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. Dauntlesses served with distinction in the , sinking or disabling all four aircraft carriers that the Japanese had brought to the fight. Of the nearly 6,000 Dauntlesses built, only about six are still flying.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM KOEPNICK, CONNOR MADISON, SCOTT SLOCUM www.eaa.org67 WINNING

F4F WILDCAT

MANUFACTURER: CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Somewhat like the British Hawker Hurricane, Grumman’s F4F Wildcat was developed from a successful series of biplane fighters. The Grumman FF, which was followed by the F2F and F3F, was the first U.S. naval fighter with retractable landing gear, a distinctive hand-cranked mechanism whose design carried forward to the F4F. In addition to the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Wildcats also served with the of Great Britain and Canada. While inferior to the Japanese Zero on paper, Wildcats were tough, and pilots quickly developed tactics that led to a solid combat record throughout the war. More than 7,800 were built, and more than a dozen remain airworthy.

P-38 LIGHTNING

MANUFACTURER: LOCKHEED CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Before his groundbreaking work on the U-2 and the SR-71 Blackbird, legendary Lockheed designer Kelly Johnson led the team that designed the P-38 Lightning. Powered by a pair of counter-rotating Allison V-12 engines, the Lightning was fast, as its name implied. P-38s served in multiple theaters of the war, but they are best known for their eorts in the Pacific. America’s highest-scoring ace of the war, Richard Bong, scored his 40 victories flying a P-38. More than 10,000 Lightnings were built, and it’s the only American fighter that was in full production from Pearl Harbor to V-J Day. Several airworthy examples remain today, including the beloved Glacier Girl.

B-25 MITCHELL

MANUFACTURER: NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION CATEGORY: BOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Named for the late Gen. , the man generally seen as the father of the U.S. Air Force, the North American B-25 first flew in 1940. It was used in every theater of the war by the U.S. Army Air Forces and Marine Corps and multiple Allied air forces as well. EAA’s example, Berlin Express, had a starring role in the 1970 film Catch-22, but the type is best remembered for the historic Doolittle Raid, in which 16 B-25s were flown o the deck of the USS Hornet and bombed for the first time in . Nearly 10,000 B-25s were built. More than 40 are believed to be flyable today.

68 August 2020 PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM KOEPNICK, CONNOR MADISON WARBIRDS

B-24 LIBERATOR

MANUFACTURER: CONSOLIDATED AIRCRAFT CATEGORY: BOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

The sturdy B-24 Liberator served alongside the B-17 as the backbone of America’s campaigns in the European theater of the war. B-24s served in every major theater of the war and spawned variants like the C-87 Liberator Express transport and PB4Y-2 Privateer naval patrol bomber. The B-24 was known as a heavy lifter and could carry as much as 8,000 pounds of bombs on short-range missions. The B-24 is said to be the most produced aircraft in United States history. However, of the more than 18,000 built, just two airworthy examples remain.

O-59/L-4 GRASSHOPPER

MANUFACTURER: PIPER AIRCRAFT CATEGORY: LIAISON YEAR INTRODUCED:

Based on the legendary J-3, Piper added a greenhouse cockpit and transformed the ubiquitous Cub into a versatile liaison aircraft that was used for VIP transport, artillery spotting, and other reconnaissance, light supply, and air ambulance work. Thanks to some ingenious field modifications, L-4s even saw duty as ground-, made famous by Maj. “Bazooka Charlie” Carpenter, who used his bazooka- equipped Grasshopper, Rosie the Rocketer, to destroy six enemy tanks and multiple other ground vehicles during the war. More than 5,000 L-4s were built. Those that survive are popular and aordable warbirds.

DH.98 MOSQUITO

MANUFACTURER: de HAVILLAND AIRCRAFT CO. CATEGORY: FIGHTERBOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Building on the success of its prewar Comet racer, de Havilland built the Mosquito as a high-speed unarmed bomber out of nonstrategic materials — in other words, wood. The RAF didn’t want the airplane at first, but Air Chief Marshal Sir liked the idea and lent his support. Powered by two Rolls-Royce Merlin engines, the Mosquito could fly high and fast, with a maximum speed exceeding 400 mph and a service ceiling of 37,000 feet. It is probably best known for its low-level strike missions against the Axis. More than 7,500 Mosquitos were built in the United Kingdom, Canada, and , with just a few airworthy examples remaining, though that number will increase as restorations continue.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY CONNOR MADISON, CHRIS MILLER, JASON TONEY www.eaa.org69 WINNING

C-47 SKYTRAIN

MANUFACTURER: DOUGLAS AIRCRAFT CATEGORY: TRANSPORT YEAR INTRODUCED:

Developed from the iconic DC-3 , Douglas built the C-47 with a cargo door and other modifications to make it suitable for use as a military transport. C-47s, and their subsequent variants, served the U.S. Army Air Forces and Navy and several Allied nations. C-47s hauled anything and everything, including more than 50,000 paratroopers in support of the D-Day landings. C-47s were used to tow gliders, and, unlike many other aircraft of the era, C-47s remained in service in the United States long after the war. More than 10,000 C-47s were built, many of which, along with their civilian cousins, are still flying — and even working — today.

P-51 MUSTANG

MANUFACTURER: NORTH AMERICAN AVIATION CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Arguably the most iconic American fighter of the war, the P-51 Mustang went from contract to rollout of the prototype in just 102 days, and first flew about six weeks later. Early versions were powered by Allison engines, but the airplane really hit its stride once it was fitted with the more powerful Merlin. The Mustang’s impressive range enabled pilots to escort U.S. strategic deep into German territory, providing far greater protection than was previously possible. P-51s were found in multiple theaters of the war, flown by U.S. and Allied forces as fighters and in the ground-attack role. More than 15,000 Mustangs were built, and the type is a mainstay of the warbird community today.

P-47 THUNDERBOLT

MANUFACTURER: REPUBLIC AVIATION CATEGORY: FIGHTERBOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

The rugged P-47 Thunderbolt was designed by Georgian immigrant Alexander Kartveli for Republic Aviation and first flew in May 1941. Early models sported a “razorback” framed canopy, while later variants adopted a full for greater visibility, just as was done with the P-51. P-47s were fast and could carry a heavy and versatile armament load depending on the mission, but they were best known for the ability to continue flying after absorbing almost unbelievable amounts of damage. Like the Mustang, more than 15,000 were built, but, unlike the Mustang, fewer than 20 still fly.

70 August 2020 PHOTOGRAPHY BY PHIL HIGH, SCOTT SLOCUM, WARBIRDS

F4U CORSAIR

MANUFACTURER: CHANCE CATEGORY: FIGHTERBOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Though it first flew in 1940, the Corsair didn’t enter service until late in 1942, about a year after the . Designed and built by Chance Vought, the type was also manufactured under license by Goodyear and Brewster. The distinctive inverted gull wing came about to accommodate shorter landing gear while still providing ground clearance for the airplane’s massive . Best known in popular culture as the type made famous by ’s Black Sheep squadron, the Corsair served in the Pacific theater as a fighter-bomber, though it didn’t arrive in large numbers until later in the war. More than 12,000 Corsairs were built, and there are several airworthy examples around the world.

F6F HELLCAT

MANUFACTURER: GRUMMAN CATEGORY: FIGHTER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Developed with lessons learned from the F4F Wildcat, Grumman’s Hellcat was considered by many to be the U.S. Navy’s preeminent fighter during the war. It was first flown in 1942 and entered service in June of the following year. The Hellcat was a sturdy and solid airplane powered by a massive 18-cylinder Pratt & Whitney . The Hellcat was faster and could outclimb its primary adversary, the Japanese Zero, at high altitudes. F6Fs were responsible for some 75 percent of all U.S. Navy aerial victories, including many at the famed “Great Marianas Shoot.” More than 12,000 Hellcats were built between 1942 and 1945, but only about six are still flyable. Several more are under active restoration.

B-29 SUPERFORTRESS

MANUFACTURER: BOEING CATEGORY: BOMBER YEAR INTRODUCED:

Designed to supersede the B-17, Boeing’s B-29 represented the height of strategic bombing technology of the day. It was fast and boasted impressive range and endurance at high altitudes, all while carrying thousands of pounds of ordnance. B-29s arrived late in the war, entering service in May 1944 and used exclusively in the Pacific theater. B-29s can be considered the airplanes that ended the war, as first Enola Gay and then Bockscar dropped atomic bombs on and , leading directly to the Japanese surrender. Nearly 4,000 were built, but only two are in flyable condition today.

Hal Bryan, EAA Lifetime 638979, is senior editor for EAA digital and print content and publi- cations, co-author of multiple books, and a lifelong pilot and aviation geek. Find him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram at halbryan or email him at [email protected].

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JIM KOEPNICK, SCOTT SLOCUM www.eaa.org71