1. Supermarine Spitfire
   Airspeed Oxford
2. Witteman-Lewis XNBL-1
   Amiot 143

The Supermarine Spitfire is one of the most famous aircraft ever built. It first flew in 1936 and played a major part in defending Great Britain against the Luftwaffe, Hitler's air force, during the Second World War. It was produced throughout the war, with over 20,000 built. There are still around 50 flying examples found around the world.

1. ANF Les Mureaux
   Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
2. Witbault Wib.7
   None of the above

The B17 Flying Fortress is one of the most famous aircraft of World War II. Designed as a bomber, it was primarily used in the West, flying daylight missions against Nazi Germany. The B17 could hold 9,600 pounds of bombs and had 11 to 13 machine guns as defensive armament. It first flew in 1935 and entered service in 1938.

1. Arado Ar 195
   Westland Wizard
2. Hawker Hurricane
   Vought FU-1

Together with the Supermarine Spitfire, the Hawker Hurricane saw off the German Luftwaffe during World War II, most notably during the Battle of Britain. Failure to do so would have seen Germany hold air superiority which would have let Hitler invade the island nation. Although not as famous as the Spitfire, the Hurricane was an excellent fighter in its own right.

1. Arado Ar 196
   Vickers Vespa
2. Arsenal VG-33
   Messerschmitt Bf 109

The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was the primary fighter in service with the German Air Force at the outbreak of World War II. First introduced in 1937, the aircraft had proved itself extremely capable during the Spanish Civil War where it was flown by German pilots helping Franco. In combat over Britain, however, it met its match in the Supermarine Spitfire, although both aircraft were very equally matched.

1. Blériot-SPAD S.510
   Grumman F4F Wildcat
2. Arado Ar 68
   Tupolev TB-1

The Grumman F4F Wildcat was one of the major carrier-based fighters of the United States Navy during World War II. The Wildcat saw action throughout the Pacific, playing a pivotal role in defending the U.S. fleet from Japanese attack. Although the Japanese Mitsubishi Zero was quicker and more maneuverable, the Wildcat was extremely tough. Wildcats accounted for 1,327 enemy kills during the war.

1. Potez 230
   Vickers Vespa
2. Arado Ar E.500
   Polikarpov i-16

This short stubby Russian fighter first entered service in 1934. By the start of World War II, the Polikarpov i-16 was not a match for more advanced German fighter aircraft. It was fondly nicknamed "Donkey" by its pilots.

1. Roussel R-30
   Tupolev I-4
2. Junkers Ju52
   Arado Ar. E561

The Junkers Ju52 entered service in 1931. This tri-motor aircraft was initially a passenger aircraft but saw service in World War II as a paratroop and regular transport machine.

1. Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
   Fairey Swordfish
2. Spad S.XX
   SNCAC NC-600

The Fairey Swordfish was a biplane torpedo bomber that first entered service in 1936 with the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force. It has the distinction of helping to sink the German battleship, the Bismarck, during World War II.

1. Douglas Dc-3 Dakota
   Armstrong Whitworth Ensign
2. Ryan NYP
   SNCAO 200

The Douglas DC3 Dakota is nothing short of a legend. It first flew in 1936 and has been used in many guises, from an airliner to cargo aircraft, and even during the Second World War as a troop transport, cargo carrier, glider tow aircraft or to carry paratroopers. The DC3 is affectionately known as the Gooney Bird.

1. Avia. B35
   Reynard Epervier
2. Junkers Ju 87 Stuka
   SNCASE SE.100

At the start of the Second World War, the Junkers Ju 87 Stuka was one of the most feared aircraft available to the German Air Force. This ground attack plane used dive bombing techniques to great effect. It was feared, as it also employed wind-driven sirens that would wail on each attack, causing panic for both civilians and enemy soldiers. The Stuka was less effective when used against targets in Britain and many were lost. It was withdrawn and used in combat on the Eastern Front against Russia.

1. Gloster Gladiator
   Avia B.534
2. Potez 25
   Morane-Saulnier M.S.406

One of the last biplane fighters in the Royal Air Force, the Gloster Gladiator was obsolete by the outbreak of World War II although it had served as a frontline fighter from around 1935 onward.

1. Morane-Saulnier M.S.225
   Polikarpov PO-2
2. Avions Fairey Fox
   Avro Anson

The Avro Anson entered service in 1936 and performed a number of roles in the Royal Air Force including as a light bomber, trainer, maritime reconnaissance and transport aircraft. It was largely obsolete by the time World War II started

1. Blackburn Skua
   Avro 621 Tutor
2. Polikarpov I-1
   Loire 210

The Blackburn Skua was a two-seater fighter/dive bomber that saw service with the British Fleet Air Arm after entering service in 1938. It was not a particularly successful aircraft.

1. Bell Airacuda
   North American T6 Texan
2. Nieuport-Delage NiD 52
   Dewoitine D.520

Perhaps one of the most famous training aircraft ever produced, the T-6 Texan first flew in 1935, and incredibly was still in service with the South African Air Force up until 1995. All American World War II fighter pilots would have earned their wings flying the Texan.

1. Dewoitine D.500
   Nieuport-Delage NiD 29
2. Beriev Be-2
   Focke-Wulf F200 Condor

Initially developed as an airliner for long-range trips, the Focke-Wulf F200 Condor was used extensively by the Luftwaffe during World War II as a maritime patrol aircraft and anti-ship bomber. It was first introduced in 1937.

1. Brewster F2A Buffalo
   Blackburn Baffin
2. Nieuport Nighthawk
   Dewoitine D.371

The Buffalo first entered service in 1937. It was one of the first aircraft to include an arrestor hook for operations from aircraft carriers.

1. Blackburn Roc
   Lockheed Hudson
2. Martin MB-2
   Caudron C.714

The Hudson from Lockheed entered service in 1939 as both a light bomber as well as a coastal maritime patrol aircraft. Interestingly, it was commissioned for the Royal Air Force and was used by a number of Commonwealth countries, even after World War II. It did service with US forces as well.

1. Curtiss P40 Warhawk
   Bloch MB.150
2. Liore-et-Olivier LeO 25
   Arsenal VG-33

Not necessarily the most glamorous fighter ever produced by the United States during World War II, the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk certainly served a purpose. It was a capable dogfighter that was easy to build and helped to ensure that the United States Air Force was significantly armed during the early days of the war. Almost 12,000 of the P-40 were built up until 1944.

1. Blohm und Voss Bv141
   Messerschmitt Bf 110
2. Le Vasseur PL.4
   Arsenal VB 10

This two-seat, two-engined fighter performed poorly for the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, where it was no match for the Hawker Hurricane and Supermarine Spitfire. in fact, the Messerschmitt BF110 often needed its own fighter escort, despite the fact that it was a fighter.

1. Blohm und Voss Bv Ha 137
   Supermarine Seafire
2. Huff-Daland XHB-1 Cyclops
   Caproni Ca.313

The Supermarine Seafire was a carrier-based version of the Spitfire, arguably one of the most famous aircraft designs in aviation history. The first few Seafires were converted Spitfires, but eventually, the aircraft was modified for carrier-based operations. Of the most important of these modifications was folding wings, which allowed aircraft to be stored below decks far easier.

1. Farman/SNCAC F.222
   Mitsubishi A6M Zero
2. Huff-Daland XB-1 Super Cyclops
   Boeing P-26 Pea Shooter

The most famous Japanese fighter of World War II, the Mitsubishi A6M Zero was carrier-based, had an incredible range, and was extremely maneuverable. It was far superior to early American aircraft in the Pacific theater, and at one stage had a kill ratio of 12 to 1.

1. Heinkel HD23
   Boeing YB-9 Death Angel
2. Bell P-39 Airacobra
   Hanriot H.600

The Bell P-39 Airacobra didn't really perform in the role for which it was intended: a high-altitude fighter. It did excel below 10,000 ft, however, and was an adequate ground attack aircraft which served in large numbers in Russia under a lend/lease agreement with the United States.

1. Koolhoven FK.58
   Ford TriMotor
2. Boulton Paul Defiant
   Grumman F8F Bearcat

Designed as a carrier-based fighter and entering service in mid-1945, the Grumman F8F Bearcat saw no action during World War II. The war came to an end before it could be deployed in any large numbers.

1. Fiat Cr.20
   Boulton Paul P.92
2. Loire 46
   Lockheed P-38 Lightning

Nicknamed "The Fork Tailed Devil" by the German pilots that faced them, the Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a twin-engined aircraft that performed a number of roles. These included bomber escort, interception, level bombing, and dive bombing, as well as photo reconnaissance. The Lightning was exceptionally fast and maneuverable.

1. Hawker Typhoon
   Breda Ba.65
2. Potez 56
   Fiat Cr.1

The Hawker Typhoon was originally intended to replace the Hawker Hurricane as a frontline fighter. It was outclassed by many German aircraft, however. It soon found its niche and became an excellent ground attack aircraft with the ability to carry rockets and bombs as part of its payload.

1. Brewster Buffalo
   Fairey Flycatcher
2. Salmson Cricri
   Mitsubishi J2M Interceptor

Designed by Jiro Horikoshi, who created the legendary A6M Zero, the J2M was designed to be a high-altitude interceptor. It saw action throughout the Pacific but was often dogged by mechanical problems. Later in the war, it was used in its intended role but performed poorly against the high-flying B29 Superfortress bombers of the U.S. Air Force.

1. Fairey Fleetwing
   Breguet Br.600
2. Focke-Wulf Fw 190
   Vought V.156

Along with the Messerschmitt Me 109, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 made up the bulk of the German Air Force fighter strength during World War II. When it first came on the scene, it was superior to the Supermarine Spitfire Mk V, much to the astonishment of the British pilots. The Fw 190 was continually upgraded during the war, capable as a dogfighter and interceptor as well as a fighter-bomber.

1. Vought F4U/FG Corsair
   Bristol Blenheim
2. de Havilland DH.77
   Wibaut 283T

The Vought Corsair was such an excellent aircraft that over 13,000 were manufactured between 1942 to 1953. In fact, this is the longest production run of any American aircraft ever. The Corsair served in the US Navy in the Pacific and proved to be an excellent fighter. It could perform other roles as well including as a fighter-bomber. The last Corsair retired from the Honduras Air Force in 1979.

1. North American P51 Mustang
   MÁVAG Héja
2. Supermarine Spitfire
   Hawker Hurricane

A fighter aircraft of Hungarian design, the MÁVAG Héja was based on the Italian Reggiane Re.2000. They saw little combat during the war, as most were placed in home defense squadrons. One squadron did fly on the Russian front, however.

1. Douglas DB-7
   Dayton-Wright PS1
2. Bristol Type 159
   Nakajima A6M2-N Floatplane Fighter

This essentially was an A6M Zero with a float attached. It was used in the Pacific theater and, while a threat to small U.S. Navy patrol boats, was not much of a match for its fighters. In fact, the float meant that the aircraft lost as much as 20% of its performance.

1. Davids-Douglas Cloudster
   Bucker Bu133
2. Republic P-43 Lancer
   Handley Page Halifax

Certainly not the greatest American fighter ever produced, the Republic P-43 Lancer had excellent performance at high altitude. This made it one of the only Allied planes able to intercept the Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah" recon plane of the Japanese for much of the war.

1. CAC Wirraway
   Macchi C.200
2. Martin 167
   Curtiss P-6 Hawk

The "Saetta" or "Arrow" performed in many theatres during World War II but most notably in North Africa and the Mediterranean. It was a capable fighter until the mid-point of the war, when new Allied aircraft were far better in terms of performance.

1. Avia BH-33
   Stinson 105 Voyager l
2. Westland Lysander Mk.III
   Supermarine Walrus

An obsolete biplane design by the time World War II started, the only Avia BH-33s to see combat belonged to the Yugoslavian Air Force. They were both shot down, with their pilots killed.

1. Vultee A-35 Vengeance
   Arsenal VG-33
2. Vickers Wellington
   Mitsubishi J2M Raiden

A French fighter that never saw combat, the Arsenal VG-33 was in production at the start of World War II, but France fell to the Germans before it reached the front line.

1. North American P-64
   Yakovlev Yak-7B
2. Aeronautica Lombarda AL-12P
   Ambrosini S.7T

First flown in 1940, the North American P-64 was built as a fighter for export to other countries. They saw action in 1941 with the Peruvian Air Force during the Ecuadorian-Peruvian war.

1. CANT Z.1007
   Consolidated PBY/PBN Catalina
2. Short 184
   Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt, or "Jug" as it was affectionately known by its pilots, was a very versatile aircraft. From escorting bombers over Germany to ground attack missions, the Jug could do it all. It was a massive piece of machinery - when fully loaded with weapons and fuel, it weighed around 8 tons.

1. Caproni Ca.311
   Morane-Saulnier M.S.406
2. Curtiss SO3C Seamew
   Hawker Audax

When World War II started, the Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 was the main fighter of the French Air Force. It was very maneuverable, but unfortunately, it was underpowered and lacked firepower, leading it to be easily outperformed by German fighters. Over 250 were lost during the battle of France.

1. Douglas SBD Dauntless
   Fairey Battle
2. Hawker Hart
   Douglas Boston

A two-seater bomber, the Hawker Hart served with Royal Air Force from 1930 but was obsolete by the outbreak of World War II and only served in backup squadrons.

1. North American B25 Mitchell
   Fiat B.R.20M
2. Martin M-130
   Boeing P-26 Peashooter

The first all-metal fighter produced by the United States, the Boeing P-26 Peashooter first flew in 1932. Chinese-built Peashooters saw action against the Japanese before the outbreak of World War II, while the Peashooter also served in the Pacific with the Philippine Army Air Force.

1. Martin PB2M Mars
   North American P-51 Mustang
2. Lockheed PBO p
   Fiat B.R.20

The North American P-51 Mustang is legendary in aviation circles. This is the aircraft that first flew bomber escort missions over Germany, something the German high command thought impossible. It was a great all-around fighter, capable of ground attack duties as well. Interestingly, the first Mustang models suffered from underpowered engines. It was only when the Rolls-Royce Merlin was fitted to the airframe that it became a world beater.