Top 10 Best Fighter Planes of World War II

If you were a fighter pilot during WWII, flying over Europe and the Pacific, you would find yourself in dogfights. You would serve as an escort for bombers over Europe and provide air-to-ground support in both theaters. Additionally, you would engage in strafing ground targets and attacking enemy ships.

Which plane would you want to fly?

Consider the following factors: top speed and maneuverability at high and low altitudes, durability, cockpit visibility, safety, armament, range, and overall flying performance.
The Top Ten
1 Supermarine Mk 24 Spitfire The Supermarine Mk 24 Spitfire was one of the final versions of the famous British fighter, featuring advanced modifications such as increased engine power and enhanced firepower. Entering service in 1946, it was capable of reaching speeds over 450 mph and carried a combination of 20 mm cannons and .50 caliber machine guns.

The Spitfire's wing design meant that it gave ample warning of a stall and, even when in a stall, the ailerons were still effective, so comparing statistics is not the whole story. Young inexperienced pilots (that's most of them) could fly the Spitfire to the limit with confidence, whereas with most other aircraft, only a really experienced pilot would dare to take his aircraft to the limit.

As a result, Spitfires could perform well irrespective of who flew them, while other types were often not being flown to their full potential, unless in the hands of an expert. The horrific accident rates during the war show the cost of young men in aircraft which were difficult to handle.

2 North American P-51D Mustang The North American P-51D Mustang became one of the most celebrated Allied fighters, equipped with a powerful Packard V-1650 engine and designed for long-range escort missions. It was highly maneuverable and served effectively in both the European and Pacific theaters, reaching speeds of up to 437 mph.

When introduced in larger numbers in early 1944, the Merlin-engined Mustangs brought about a huge change in the daylight air offensive against Germany. For the first time, the Allies had a fast, maneuverable, high-altitude, single-engine fighter that could escort their heavy bombers anywhere in Germany. This is what sets Merlin-engined Mustangs apart from all other WWII fighters.

Others may have had similar performance, like the Spitfire and the FW190D9. The ME262 was a hundred mph faster, but none of these had the extreme range of the Mustang (except for some early Japanese fighters, which weren't even close to the Mustang in performance). This made the Mustang an offensive strategic fighter unlike any other. The P-51D was just like icing on the cake, with slightly better performance, range, and a bubble canopy. It literally changed the nature of strategic air warfare. A truly great fighter.

3 Messerschmitt Bf 109K The Bf 109K was a late-war variant of the German Messerschmitt Bf 109, upgraded to improve speed, climb rate, and high-altitude performance. Armed with a 30 mm MK 108 cannon and two 13 mm machine guns, it played a crucial role in defending against Allied bombing raids.

The Mustang's advantages over the 109 are a total myth. To compare the fastest versions that saw service during the war, the P-51D's top speed was 437 mph, while the BF-109H was 470 mph. The range wasn't much different either. The P-51's maximum range with external tanks was 1,650 miles, while the range of the BF-109 was 1,491 miles. The maximum altitude of the BF-109H was 49,200 feet, while the P-51D's maximum altitude was 41,900 feet.

Firepower isn't even remotely comparable. The Mustang was armed with six minuscule 12.7mm machine guns, while the 109 was packing up to three 30mm cannons and two 13mm machine guns. With its higher maneuverability granted by its lighter weight and leading-edge slats, along with its greatly superior firepower, number of planes produced, adaptability, kill count, and service life, it's truly ridiculous that any human capable of critical thought would nominate the Mustang as the greatest fighter of all time, when the facts clearly show that this honor goes to the BF-109.

4 Focke-Wulf FW 190 D-9 The Focke-Wulf FW 190 D-9, or "Dora," was a German high-performance variant specifically designed for high-altitude combat. This model featured an elongated fuselage and the powerful Jumo 213 engine, making it highly effective in intercepting Allied bombers.

The Focke-Wulf 190 D-9, in my opinion, revolutionized air combat for the Germans who, at the time, relied heavily on long-range fighters (BF 110's) and BF 109's that were already shown to be sub-par when up against later Spitfire models. It came at a time when Britain had control of the skies and brought the Germans back into the fight. The D-9 was highly effective and feared by the allied bomber formations and had a certain fear factor to it that played a part in combat.

It was really a jack of all trades, you might say. Its 30mm cannon had a devastating effect on aircraft and ground targets, and its great maneuverability gave it the edge in dogfighting less maneuverable bomber escorts like the P-38 and P-47. A wartime winner with a legacy that will live on.

5 Chance Vought F4U-4 Corsair The F4U-4 Corsair, produced by Chance Vought, was a robust U.S. carrier-capable fighter known for its distinctive inverted gull wings and powerful Pratt & Whitney engine. It saw combat primarily in the Pacific, excelling in air superiority and ground-attack roles.

A Marine pilot in a Corsair saved my father's life when their convoy was attacked by Kamikaze pilots late in the war. My dad was on the bridge, manning the earphones and sending fire orders to the various stations, when a Kate got through the flak and headed toward the bridge. The Corsair, positioned up in the sun with its belly painted gray and nearly invisible, executed an extreme dive. As it pulled up, it cut the Kate in half with its 6 .50 cal guns. Only a part of the engine nacelle hit the side of the ship, causing some minor damage. While all this was happening, my mother was at home in a defense plant, inspecting riveting on wing sections for F4U Corsairs. True story.

6 Mitsubishi A6M Zero The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a Japanese carrier-based fighter, noted for its agility and range, which gave it an advantage early in the Pacific War. Despite its initial success, the lightweight frame lacked armor, which left it vulnerable to heavier Allied aircraft later in the war.

At the start of the war, no Allied plane could touch it either for maneuverability, firepower, or range. The most advanced plane of its time. It would be at the top of this list if this wasn't an English site. A Spitfire, Mustang, or BF-109 aren't fit enough to share airspace with a Zero.

At the start of the war there was no better fighter on either side of the ocean. It had the Americans playing catch up. I've seen one of the few left in the world in Kure, Hiroshima. It was a beaut!

The fighter was not made of wood. It did possess an excellent rate of climb, though in absolute climb speed it was not that fast. It was a steep climber.

7 Grumman F6F Hellcat The Grumman F6F Hellcat was a rugged U.S. Navy fighter that excelled in the Pacific theater, designed to counter the Japanese Zero. With powerful armament and armor, it became one of the primary carrier-based fighters and contributed significantly to Allied air superiority.

The arrival of this plane played a huge role in allowing America to turn the tide against Japan. It was the first American fighter to have a firm advantage over the Zero and was easier to fly than the Corsair. It also shot down more planes than any other Allied aircraft during the war and accounted for around 75% of aircraft downed during the Great Marianas Turkey Shoot of 1944.

This is the plane that took the US to the gates of Tokyo. Nothing else matters. You have to look at the rate of climb of the F8 Bearcat and its left side roll under high throttle. It will run rings around other planes.

8 Messerschmitt Me 262 The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the world's first operational jet-powered fighter, deployed by Germany in 1944. It could reach speeds of 540 mph, significantly faster than most piston-engine fighters, and was primarily used in air-to-air roles against Allied bombers.

Plagued by a huge strategic disadvantage, inept leadership from Hermann Goering and Adolf Hitler, and unreliable engines of poor condition, the Me 262 easily was a portrait of the Luftwaffe's struggles in the last months of World War II. The Me 262 could have been a phenomenal aircraft had it not suffered from these flaws, as well as its inexperienced pilots. Most of them were experts, such as Adolf Galland, Johannes Steinhoff, and Gunther Luetzow, but they were still new to jets and their different engines. Had it been introduced earlier (it's possible the 262 or another jet fighter could have debuted in 1942, not long after the Fw 190!), its flaws could have been ironed out and its new technique mastered. The Me 262 was still a deadly opponent to bombers and fighters so long as its engines could survive.

It was most vulnerable at low altitude, where a P-51 or P-47 could dive on it, or a Hawker Tempest could easily catch up to it.

9 Republic P-47D Thunderbolt The Republic P-47D Thunderbolt was a heavily armed and durable American fighter, well-suited for both air-to-air and ground-attack missions. Known for its resilience, it could withstand substantial damage and operated effectively as an escort and ground-support aircraft.

Have you heard of the A-10 Warthog? Its less known nickname is Thunderbolt II, inspired by the P-47. Known as the "Jug," the P-47 was one of the heaviest planes to be powered by a single propeller engine, weighing around 5 tons when empty. However, it was incredibly fast at high altitude and in a dive and had a fearsome armament.

German pilots remarked that it was something "you never wanted to be in front of." The P-47 was also incredibly armored, with the ability to survive substantial amounts of damage and fly home. It featured an 18-cylinder R2800 engine, which could continue to work even with some cylinders completely destroyed.

The P-47 could also perform ground attack roles, capable of carrying half the bomb load of a B-17 in rockets and bombs. Its only flaws were poor maneuverability and decent range. Many pilots in Korea who flew P-51s for ground attack missions wished they could've flown the heavier and more armored P-47 instead, which was better suited for the role.

10 Hawker Hurricane The Hawker Hurricane was a British single-seat fighter that played a critical role in the Battle of Britain alongside the Spitfire. Known for its versatility, it served as both an interceptor and ground-attack aircraft, achieving significant success in multiple theaters.

Due to the USA's late entry into World War II (in real terms not until 1942, some months after Pearl Harbor), Americans are limited in their choice of the best fighter and bomber planes. This is because unless they know that Britain's Royal Air Force destroyed Germany's mighty Luftwaffe in 1940 in the Battle of Britain with their superb Hawker Hurricanes and Supermarine Spitfires, they are at a disadvantage.

Americans will also not know that Britain's mighty heavy bomber, the Lancaster, was bombing German sites a full three-and-a-half years before a US bomber saw service over Germany. Of course, Americans must choose the Mustang as their favorite because it was the only really good fighter plane they had, even though it didn't see real service until 1944, because national pride enters the equation.

The Mustang was indeed a brilliant long-range plane, built to a British Air Ministry requirement but was useless until the US-built engine was replaced with the matchless British Rolls Royce Merlin engine. The same Merlin that powered Great Britain’s Lancaster bomber, and both the Supermarine Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane fighters. Without the Supermarine Spitfire and the Hawker Hurricane, in 1940, Great Britain would no longer exist. And that's the only real test as to what were the best fighter planes of WWII.

The Contenders
11 Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden The Kawanishi N1K-J Shiden, known as "George" by Allied forces, was a Japanese fighter with heavy armament and good maneuverability, rivaling many Allied fighters. Initially designed as a floatplane, the land-based variant proved formidable in air-to-air combat during the later stages of the Pacific War.

Most WW2 aviation enthusiasts talk about how outclassed Japanese fighters were near the end of the war, but there were quite a few that were more than a match for their American counterparts. The N1K Shiden was one of those fighters. It was fast, extremely maneuverable, and very heavily armed and armored.

Many people talk about how the Hellcat was the Zero killer, but few know about the aircraft which was the Hellcat killer. With a top speed in excess of 400 mph, a heavy armament of four 20mm cannons, high maneuverability, and unlike most previous Japanese fighters, armor protection for the pilot, along with self-sealing fuel tanks made this aircraft a highly potent force to be reckoned with.

12 Fiat G.55 Centauro The Fiat G.55 Centauro was an Italian fighter aircraft recognized for its strong performance and advanced design compared to earlier Italian models. Used by the Italian and later German forces, it was equipped with powerful armament, including a 20 mm cannon and two 12.7 mm machine guns.

Called the best Axis fighter overall in 1943 by the Luftwaffe, the Fiat G.55 Centauro showcased impressive stats. Its level speed was 417 with WEP and could dive up to 590 mph. It boasted very good high-altitude handling, aerobatics, and performance. The critical altitude for speed was 8 km.

Some models were equipped with 5 Mauser 20mm cannons, making them great for intercepting heavy aircraft. It was more robust than the Re2005 and lacked its vibration/flutter issues. Regarded as the best for mass production among the Italian type 5 fighters, it was also most suitable for upgrades to the larger DB603 engine.

The Fiat G.55 Centauro featured a good rear view, unlike the BF 109, and even had faster dive acceleration than the Gustav! It was chosen to be the standard ANR Italian fighter since it outperformed others at more altitudes.

13 Lockheed P-38 Lightning The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a distinctive American fighter with twin booms and a central cockpit, used extensively in both European and Pacific theaters. Equipped for a range of missions, from interception to ground attack, it was fast and versatile with speeds reaching over 400 mph.

The large, two-engined P-38 looks nothing like your typical World War II fighter. Resembling more of a heavy fighter, the Lightning (namesake of the F-35 Lightning II, or "Fork Tailed Devil" to the Germans and "Two Planes One Pilot" to the Japanese) was an extremely fast and maneuverable plane. With heavy armament packed into the nose, getting hit by a P-38 would mean defeat or serious damage.

German pilots were advised to "never go head-on with a P-38." While not as iconic as the P-51 or Spitfire, the P-38 achieved many important milestones. It produced America's top ace, Richard Bong, and avenged Pearl Harbor by shooting down Admiral Yamamoto's transport plane.

14 Soviet Yakovlev Yak-3 The Yakovlev Yak-3 was a Soviet fighter with excellent low-altitude performance and maneuverability, ideal for dogfights on the Eastern Front. Light and agile, it was a favorite among Soviet pilots, performing well against German fighters like the Bf 109 and FW 190.

In the end, it was the opinion of pilots that mattered. When German pilots were told to "avoid combat below five thousand metres with Yakovlev fighters lacking an oil cooler intake beneath the nose," it is clear the Germans were terrified of this plane. When it came to most other planes, they had a plan of attack which was effective, but against the Yak-3, it was simply: 'RUN!'

Additionally, when the French pilots serving with the Soviet Air Force were offered any British, American, or Russian airplane to fly, they chose the Yak-3 over all others. Although I don't know if these pilots were the best ever, they may have developed a bias for the plane they flew on the Soviet front, but it is still a great testimonial for the plane. Because of these reasons, I will always consider the Yak-3 to be the best fighter of WW2.

15 Heinkel He 280 The Heinkel He 280 was Germany's first jet-powered fighter prototype, though it never saw operational service. Designed as a twin-engine jet, it showcased the potential of jet propulsion despite being ultimately overshadowed by the Messerschmitt Me 262.

The REAL "first" jet fighter, and the first aircraft to feature an ejection seat. With a top speed of 570 mph, it was faster than the ME-262, and the production version would have been more heavily armed, with six 20mm cannons to the 262's four 30mm. It was also more maneuverable than the FW-190A, as proven during mock dogfights between the two.

Range was the only advantage of the 262. It was also an incredibly rugged aircraft that could take tremendous punishment.

16 Curtiss P-40 Warhawk The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American fighter and ground-attack aircraft, widely used by Allied forces in various theaters, including North Africa and China. Known for its durability and effectiveness in ground-support roles, it was equipped with six .50 caliber machine guns.

Okay, this wasn't the best of the best. It wasn't better than the Mustangs in some opinions. But it still held off the Japanese and was probably the most important American aircraft. Which aircraft responded at Pearl Harbor? Not the Mustang.

The main land-based fighter of the US until it was replaced by the P-51, P-47, and P-39. It played a big role in the defense in China and Burma as Chennault's well-known Flying Tigers. The P-40 was the third most produced American fighter.

Held off superior aircraft until the Allies could get the new aircraft in the air. The same is true of the Wildcat.

17 Bell P-39 Airacobra The Bell P-39 Airacobra was an American fighter with a unique mid-engine design, which placed the engine behind the cockpit. While it was less effective at high altitudes, the P-39 excelled in ground-attack roles, especially in Soviet service on the Eastern Front.

So beloved by Red Army fly boys and kept Soviets in the game early in the war. Roomy cockpit, very competitive with Fritz at low altitude. Gave a great punch with its 37mm cannon, two 12.7 Brownings, and four 0.30 cal. or two 12.7 under the wing.

The Soviets mostly used this one and gave it the praise it deserved. Sometimes I think America made a mistake not using this one.

Made in America and flown mostly by Soviets, is it any wonder this very capable fighter never got the press it deserved?

18 Macchi M.C.205V Veltro The Italian Macchi M.C.205V Veltro was a late-war fighter that combined strong maneuverability with firepower, making it one of Italy's best fighters of World War II. It saw limited production but performed well in combat against Allied aircraft.

A feared and respected adversary of Allied pilots, preferred over the BF 109 by Jagdwaffe pilots. An Italian aircraft that excelled in speed, power, and climb, and also very nimble and maneuverable, allowing it to fight on equal terms with top Allied fighters.

Extremely maneuverable at low altitude with adequate performance at high. High rate of climb, being able to outclimb every allied fighter.

Great climb ratio. A pair of 20mm cannons and a pair of 12.7mm MG. Extremely maneuverable at low altitude, even outperforming the legendary P-51 Mustang. Just as good as the Mustang at high altitudes, it could fight on equal terms with the top Allied fighters.

19 Hawker Typhoon The British Hawker Typhoon was a ground-attack aircraft and fighter-bomber, well-regarded for its role in close air support, especially following D-Day. Equipped with heavy armament, it was notably effective against German armored vehicles and other ground targets.

Actually, it was a very good fighter. Pierre Clostermann rode her to fame as the best French-born fighter pilot of the war. She was heavy, but made up for it with an engine that could pull a fully loaded bomber. And she carried enough armor to stop nearly everything fired into her.

She had one drawback: the torque of her engine killed a large number of rookie pilots. Both during takeoff and landing, the engine would simply roll the plane onto its back and dig her into the ground if the pilot wasn't aware and applying hard opposite rudder. She killed more of her own pilots than the Germans shot down pilots flying the Typhoon.

20 Focke-Wulf Ta 152 H-1 The Focke-Wulf Ta 152 H-1 was a high-altitude interceptor developed by Germany in the latter part of World War II, designed to counter Allied bombers. It featured a powerful Jumo 213E engine and a pressurized cockpit, allowing it to operate effectively at extreme altitudes.

My personal choice for the best German aircraft of WWII, the Ta-152 was the best performing high altitude piston-powered fighter ever. Its speed at higher altitudes was exceptional. Unfortunately, these entered service in 1944/45 and weren't available in large numbers and so had no effect on the war, but this proved that even at the end of the war, Germany still had great designing skills.

This high-altitude fighter is a beast. A masterpiece made by Kurt Tank. The Fw190 D series was nothing but a stepping stone for this long-nosed, large-winged beauty. It's a shame that it was built in small numbers. It could have done way more if enough were produced.

21 Nakajima Ki-87 The Nakajima Ki-87 was a Japanese high-altitude fighter prototype intended to counter Allied bombers. Featuring a turbocharged engine to enhance its performance at altitude, it faced developmental delays and did not see combat.
22 IAR 80 The IAR 80 was a Romanian fighter that saw service primarily on the Eastern Front, developed by Industria Aeronautică Română. It was initially outclassed by newer Allied fighters but remained in service due to Romania's limited production capabilities and resources.

The IAR 80 was an amazing plane which, although outdated in the second half of the war, still performed admirably.

A Luftwaffe major who tested it in March 1941 had this to say about the IAR 80: Takeoff and landing are very good. It's 20-30 km/h slower than the BF 109E. The climb to 5000 meters is equivalent. In a dogfight, the turns are also equivalent, although the long nose reduces visibility. In a dive, it's outclassed by the BF 109E because it lacks an automated propeller pitch regulator. It's a fighter adequate to modern needs.

It was one of the most important planes on the Eastern Front but is forgotten today.

23 De Havilland Mosquito The De Havilland Mosquito, known as the "Wooden Wonder," was a versatile British twin-engine aircraft used as a fighter-bomber, night fighter, and reconnaissance plane. Constructed primarily of wood, it was fast and adaptable, serving in many roles across various theaters.

The De Havilland Mosquito was an outstanding plane that could both dogfight and outrun German Bf 109s. It could fly to Berlin, carry a bomb load comparable to a B-17, drop it on target, and then outrun the 109s on the way home. Although it was made of wood, with bodies produced in furniture factories in the US and Great Britain, it had a crew of two and remarkable capabilities.

If these planes had been used more as bombers, many aircrews could have been saved. When a B-17 went down, 10 crew members were lost, whereas the Mosquito's speed allowed it to evade German fighters. This underrated plane could fly long distances, deliver a powerful strike, and escape quickly. If you were unfortunate enough to catch it, the Mosquito could still hold its own in a dogfight. It definitely deserves a spot in the top 10, if not higher.

24 Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate" The Nakajima Ki-84 "Hayate," or "Frank" as known by Allied forces, was one of Japan's most capable fighters, combining high speed, maneuverability, and firepower. It served effectively in both defensive and offensive operations, challenging advanced Allied fighters in the Pacific.

The Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate was the fastest Japanese fighter available in significant numbers, reaching dive speeds of over 496 mph. Though considered sluggish by Japanese standards, it was still a better dogfighter than most Allied planes and was also adept at energy tactics. If you could match it one way, it would beat you another.

Furthermore, it was often mistaken for less powerful Nakajima fighters. A famous example of this was the death of American ace Tommy McGuire.

The Ki-84's design was stellar, but late-war conditions in Japan led to poor quality control in the factories, and a lack of skilled pilots and mechanics hindered its performance at the front. Even so, it commanded the respect of Allied pilots. In fact, the American who assigned code names to Japanese aircraft named this one after himself.

25 Reggiane Re.2005 The Reggiane Re.2005 was an Italian fighter known for its agility and powerful armament, including a 20 mm cannon and two machine guns. Limited production numbers restricted its operational impact, though it was respected by both Italian and German pilots for its performance.

The Reggiane Re.2005 was undoubtedly one of the best designs and overall most effective fighter planes in the last years of the war. It was an exceptionally beautiful aircraft, not only in design but also in maneuverability, firepower, and speed. However, it was not easy to build, and it took the Italian Air Ministry too long to start mass production, which meant it couldn't make a significant impact on the war. In the end, very few were built.

The only other fighter plane that could match the Reggiane was the Fiat G.55.

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