Follow the consequences of World War II through history’s greatest conflict. Eight fighter aircraft representing all the major combatants serve as guideposts for our exploration of interactive exhibits on the men and women who designed built and flew these planes in every theater of the war.
Vought F4U-1D Corsair
• The F4U Corsair acquired a unique reputation in military aviation as a fast and versatile aircraft. This airplane was both a land-based and carrier-based fighter, and established its distinguished combat record. During WW II, the Corsair shot down 2,140 enemy aircraft with losses of 189, for a kill ratio of about 11:1. Its characteristic inverted gull wing adopted to provide sufficient propeller clearance while minimizing landing gear length and fuselage ground angle.
Curtiss P-40E Warhawk
• The P-40 was America's foremost fighter in service when WWII began. P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the invasion of the Philippines in December 1941. They also were flown in China early in 1942 by the famed Flying Tigers and in North Africa in 1943 by the first all-black unit, the 99th Fighter Squadron.
• P-40s served on all WW II battlefronts and equipped the air forces of 28 countries. It was in China and India, however, that the aircraft achieved its greatest fame. Shark-mouthed P-40s of the American Volunteer Group tore into the Japanese with devastating effect. Under General Claire Chennault, the Flying Tigers destroyed 286 Japanese aircraft in just over 6 months while losing only 11 in air-to-air combat.
Westland Lysander
• The Westland Lysander was one of history's oddest looking and most mysterious spy planes. It carried out multiple missions throughout World War II, most notably ferrying British spies in and out of occupied France. Its slow speed and short takeoff and landing capability made it well-suited for such night missions into unprepared fields. Designed to take off and land in places not recognized as air fields, the Lysander was flown into small, unlit pastures in support of the French Resistance.
• "Special Duties" Lysander III modified for this role carried no guns or armor but had an extra fuel tank and a ladder for quick passenger pickup and delivery. In 1941-44, Lysander IIIA pilots flying alone delivered or picked up more than 800 agents in France, never knowing whether German soldiers might be waiting at the landing sites.
Boeing Stearman
• The Boeing Stearman was one of the most widely used primary trainers of WWII and was considered the most widely produced biplane series in history. They were popular as crop-dusters and as aerobatic and personal aircraft.
• The Stearman was easy to fly and relatively forgiving of new pilots. It gained a reputation as a good teacher. The Model 75 is very popular with private collectors and at least 1,000 are still flying today worldwide.
Hawker Hurricane Mk IIe
• The Hawker Hurricane is a legend in British air history. With the Supermarine Spitfire, it successfully defended England against the Germany in the Battle of Britain, and throughout the war it saw service on every major front. Performance and handling were superb.
• The Hurricane achieved three notable firsts: First monoplane fighter in the RAF, first RAF fighter with retractable landing gear, and first RAF fighter to exceed 300 mph. It was also the world's first eight-gun fighter. Hurricane Mk II had more powerful engine and up to twelve caliber machine guns and were used in majority of operational theaters in WW II. Hurricane ranks with the most important aircraft designs in military aviation history.
Grumman Hellcat F6F
• In the first two years of World War II, the United States Navy did not have an aircraft in its inventory that was as maneuverable as the Japanese Zero fighter. During this time, the US depended on the Grumman F4F Wildcat to bridge this gap until a replacement aircraft could be produced. Two years later, the design efforts of Grumman's engineers resulted in one of the war's most potent fighter - the F6F Hellcat.
• The Hellcat was one of the most successful US fighters to serve during the war. Stable flight characteristics made it extremely popular with its pilots. By the war's end, 12,275 Hellcats had been built. During its short but successful career, the Hellcat was flown by 305 aces, more than any other operational American fighter during the war. The Navy transferred Hellcat to the Smithsonian in 1948.
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
• The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was the most versatile aircraft used in World War II. It was a world-class reconnaissance aircraft, an effective night fighter, and even an excellent strike/attack aircraft.
• P-38 was the first U. S. twin-engine fighter to exceed 400 mph, and it remained in production throughout World War II. Richard Bong and Tom McGuire, the two top scoring American Aces of World War II flew P-38s in the Pacific, where the P-38 destroyed more Japanese aircraft than any other American aircraft, achieving a 12:1 kill ratio.
• On April 14, 1943, American code breakers received a message which included a timetable for Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto's schedule. The plan of attack called for American fighters to fly over four-hundred miles at extreme low altitude, locate Yamamoto's flight, and destroy Yamamoto's aircraft without being detected. The only aircraft that could meet these requirements was the P-38.
• Major John Mitchell of the 339th Flight Squadron was chosen to lead a squadron of P-38s for this mission. Captain Lanphier's P-38 shot down a "Betty" bomber that was carrying Admiral Yamamoto and Japan lost its famous military leader. This action took place near Kahili, Bougainville, on 18 April 1943.
• One of the more interesting stories in the WWII was of the phantom P-38, which was causing trouble for many crippled bombers. Beginning on June 4, 1943, a crippled bomber was coming back from a mission. The crew was considering bailing out of their bomber when they spotted an aircraft coming closer. They immediately relaxed knowing it was a P-38 that coming to their help. The crew continued to dump extra weight from the aircraft, including the guns and ammunition. Before the crew realized what happened, the P-38 erupted in gunfire and destroyed the B-17. The only survivor was the pilot, Lt. Harold Fisher.
• What really happen was that several weeks before Lt. Fisher's ordeal, a P-38 pilot was low on fuel and was lost. He actually made an emergency landing in the enemy territory. The pilot was captured before he was able to destroy his aircraft. Enemy came up with the idea of using this P-38 against the American bombers and it shot down several bombers. Until Lt. Fisher, no other crews survived to tell of the P-38 shooting them down.
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
• Many people consider the P-47 Thunderbolt the best fighter of World War II. Its combination of speed, maneuverability, and firepower gave it great versatility. Its use in all major theaters of the war included long-range high-altitude escort and photo reconnaissance.
• The P-47 entered service in April 1943 in England and showed good combat qualities. It could out-dive all enemy fighters and absorb heavy battle damage. Pilots also appreciated the fact that it was fairly quiet and roomy by fighter standards.
• In fact, the Thunderbolt was probably the best ground-attack aircraft fielded by the United States. From D-Day, the invasion of Europe launched June 8, 1944, until VE day on May 7, 1945 pilots flying the Thunderbolt destroyed a lot of enemy equipment.
