Aircraft of World War II

RAF_Airspeed_AS_10_Oxford_II_AS277_in_1942

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:55:25 -0400

by: johnbr

The_crew_of_the_German_aircraft_FW-189A_near_Kursk

johnbr — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:12:04 -0400

by: johnbr

Focke-Wulf_Fw_189A-2_

johnbr — Sat, 06 Apr 2013 18:34:38 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-2. German reconnaissance aircraft Focke-Wulf Fw 189A-2. at Petsamo Finland 1943.

Hughes_XF-11_and_Howard_Hughes_himself_at_the_controls

johnbr — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:18:58 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Design and development The aircraft was designed to meet the same requirements as the Republic XF-12. Specifications called for a fast, long ranging photo-reconnaissance aircraft. Said to be a scaled-up version of the earlier Hughes D-2, the final design was similar in general appearance to the World War II Lockheed P-38 Lightning.[1] It was a tricycle-gear, twin-engine, twin-boom all-metal monoplane with a pressurized central crew nacelle, with a much larger span and much higher aspect ratio than the P-38's wing. The XF-11 used Pratt & Whitney R-4360-31 28-cylinder radial engines. Each engine drove a pair of contra-rotating four-bladed, controllable-pitch propellers, which can increase performance and stability, at the cost of increased mechanical complexity. The Army originally ordered 100 of them for photo reconnaissance. The order was cancelled following the end of World War II, leaving Hughes with two prototypes. [edit]Operational history 1946 newsreel The first prototype, tail number 44-70155, piloted by Hughes, crashed on 7 July 1946 while on its maiden flight.[2] An oil leak caused the right-hand propeller controls to lose their effectiveness and the rear propeller subsequently reversed its pitch, disrupting that engine's thrust, which caused the aircraft to yaw hard to the right.[3] Rather than feathering the propeller, Hughes elected to make an emergency landing on the golf course of the Los Angeles Country Club, but about 300 yards short of the course, the aircraft suddenly lost altitude and clipped three houses. The third house was completely destroyed by the fire resulting from the crash and Hughes was nearly killed.[2] The crash is dramatized in the 2004 film The Aviator. The second prototype was fitted with conventional propellers and flown on 5 April 1947, after Hughes had recuperated from his injuries. This test flight was uneventful and the aircraft proved to be stable and controllable at high speed. However, it lacked low-speed stability as the ailerons were ineffective at low altitudes, and when the Army Air Forces (AAF) evaluated it against the XF-12, testing revealed the XF-11 was harder to fly and maintain, and projected to be twice as expensive to build.[3] A small production order of 98 for the XF-12 went out but the AAF chose the RB-50 Superfortress, and Northrop F-15 Reporter instead, which had similar long-range photo-reconnaissance capability and were available at a much lower cost. The production order was cancelled. When the United States Air Force was created as a separate service in September 1947, the XF-11 was redesignated the XR-11. The surviving XR-11 prototype arrived at Eglin Air Force Base in December 1948 for operational suitability testing.[4] [edit]Specifications (XF-11) General characteristics Crew: two, pilot and navigator/photographer Length: 65 ft 5 in (19.94 m) Wingspan: 101 ft 4 in (30.89 m) Height: 23 ft 2 in (7.06 m) Wing area: 983 ft� (91.3 m�) Empty weight: 37,100 lb (16,800 kg) Max. takeoff weight: 58,300 lb (26,400 kg) Powerplant: 2 � Pratt & Whitney R-4360-31 radial, 3,000 hp (2,240 kW) each Performance Maximum speed: 450 mph (720 km/h) Range: 5,000 miles (8,000 km) Service ceiling: 44,000 ft (13,415 m)

yokosuka-r2y1-keiun-construction

johnbr — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:10:28 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: By the fall of 1944, the direction of the war had changed, and Japan no longer needed a high-speed reconnaissance aircraft. The R2Y1 Keiun was all but cancelled when the design team suggested the aircraft could easily be made into a fast attack bomber. In addition, the Aichi [Ha-70] power plant would be discarded, and one 2,910 lb (1,320 kg) thrust Mitsubishi Ne 330 jet engine would be installed under each wing. A fuel tank would be installed in the space made available by the removal of the piston engine. This jet-powered attack bomber had an estimated top speed of 495 mph (797 km/h). The project was approved, and the new aircraft was designated R2Y2. The decision was made to finish the nearly completed R2Y1 airframe and use it as a flight demonstrator to assess the flying characteristics of the aircraft. With pressurization, the turbocharger, and the intercooler omitted, the R2Y1 prototype was completed in April 1945 and transferred to Kisarazu Air Field for tests. Ground tests revealed that the aircraft suffered from nose-wheel shimmy and engine overheating. Yokosuka R2Y1 Keiun taking off from Kisarazu Air Field for its first an only flight. Adjustments were made to overcome the issues, and the Keiun took to the air on May 29, 1945 (date varies by source and is often cited as May 8, 1945), piloted by Lt. Commander Kitajima. The flight proved to be very short because the engine quickly overheated, and a fire broke out in the engine bay. Lt. Commander Kitajima quickly returned to the field, and the R2Y1 suffered surprisingly little damage. On May 31, during a ground run to test revised cooling, the engine was mistakenly run at high power for too long and overheated. The engine was removed from the aircraft to repair the damage. The R2Y1 sat awaiting repair for some time before it was destroyed by Japanese Naval personnel to prevent its capture by American forces (some say it was destroyed in an Allied bombing raid). Because of the end of the War, the second R2Y1 prototype was never completed nor was the design work for the R2Y2.

yokosuka-r2y1-keiun

johnbr — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 00:07:16 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: The R2Y1 had a 45.93 ft (14 m) wingspan and was 42.81 ft (13.05 m) long. The aircraft stood 13.91 ft (4.24 m) high, weighed 13,260 lb (6,015 kg) empty, and had a maximum weight of 20,725 lb (9,400 kg). The Keiun had an estimated top speed of 447 mph (720 km/h) at 32,810 ft (10,000 m) and a cruise speed of 288 mph (463 km/h) at 13,125 ft (4,000 m). Maximum range was an estimated at 2,240 mi (3,610 km). The pilot sat under a raised bubble-style canopy that was toward the extreme front of the aircraft. The radio operator/navigator occupied an area in the fuselage just behind and a little below the pilot. The Keiun was powered by two 60-degree, inverted V-12 Aichi Atsuta 30 engines (licensed version of the Daimler-Benz DB 601) that had been uprated and were coupled together by a common gear reduction. The resulting 24-cylinder power unit was known as the Aichi [Ha-70] 01. With a 5.91 in (150 mm) bore and 6.30 in (160 mm) stroke, the engine displaced 4,141 cu in (67.8 L) and was installed behind the cockpit and above the wings. The Aichi [Ha-70] 10 (some say [Ha-70] 01) engine was to be turbocharged and rated at 3,400 hp for takeoff and 3,100 hp at 9,845 ft (3000 m). The engine drove a 12.47 ft (3.8 m), six-blade propeller via a 12.8 ft (3.9 m) long extension shaft that ran under the cockpit. Engine cooling was achieved by radiators under the fuselage and inlets for oil coolers in the wing roots. A ventral air scoop was located behind the engine to provide induction air for the turbocharger and air for the intercooler.

FW-58_

johnbr — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:34:43 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Specifications (Fw 58) General characteristics Crew: 4 Length: 14 m (45ft 11 in) Wingspan: 21 m (68 ft 10 in) Height: 4.3 m (14 ft 1 in) Wing area: 47 m� (506 ft�) Empty weight: 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) Loaded weight: 2,810 kg (6,200 lb) Powerplant: 2 � Argus As 10 air-cooled inverted V8 piston engines, 180 kW (240 hp) each Performance Maximum speed: 256 km/h (159 mph) Range: 676 km (420 mi) Wing loading: 59.8 kg/m� (12.3 lb/ft�) Armament 2 � 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine guns

FW-58

johnbr — Sat, 08 Dec 2012 17:24:54 -0500

Fi_156C-3_Storch_9

johnbr — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 22:25:47 -0500

by: johnbr

050607

johnbr — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 19:46:12 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: L-5 L-5 aircraft of the 25th Liaison Squadron in New Guinea. In addition to their liaison duties, sergeant pilots of the "Guinea Short Line" performed such varied missions as rescuing downed fliers and guiding fighters to

Ju-86P

johnbr — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 23:28:57 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Junkers Ju 86P high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. This advanced aircraft featured a pressurised cabin and was powered by two highly supercharged diesel engines, enabling it to operate at altitudes above 37,000 feet, where it was immune from fighter interception during the early war years.

Ki-46-II_Dinah_Rabaul

johnbr — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:15:45 -0500

by: johnbr

Description: Development and designOn 12 December 1937, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force issued a specification to Mitsubishi for a long-range strategic reconnaissance aircraft to replace the Mitsubishi Ki-15. The specification demanded an endurance of six hours and sufficient speed to evade interception by any fighter in existence or development, but otherwise did not constrain the design.[1] The resulting design was a twin-engined, low-winged monoplane with a retractable tailwheel undercarriage. It had a small diameter oval fuselage which accommodated a crew of two, with pilot and observer situated in individual cockpits separated by a large fuel tank. Further fuel tanks were situated in the thin wings both inboard and outboard of the engines, giving a total fuel capacity of 1,490 L (328 imperial gallons). The engines, two Mitsubishi Ha-26, were housed in close fitting cowlings developed by the Aeronautical Research Institute of the Tokyo Imperial University to reduce drag and improve pilot view.[1][2] Mitsubishi Ki-46-III white painted with a green cross on the rear fuselage as a sign of surrender, captured by KNIL forces on October 3, 1945. Menado, Celebes.The first prototype aircraft, with the designation Ki-46, flew in November 1939 from the Mitsubishi factory at Kakamigahara, Gifu, north of Nagoya.[3] Tests showed that the Ki-46 was underpowered, and slower than required, only reaching 540 km/h (336 mph) rather than the specified 600 km/h (373 mph). Otherwise, the aircraft tests were successful. As the type was still faster than the Army's latest fighter, the Nakajima Ki-43, as well as the Navy's new A6M2, an initial production batch was ordered as the Army Type 100 Command Reconnaissance Plane Model 1 (Ki-41-I).[2] To solve the performance problems, Mitsubishi fitted Ha-102 engines, which were Ha-26s fitted with a two stage supercharger, while increasing fuel capacity and reducing empty weight to give the Ki-46-II, flying in March 1941. This met the speed requirements of the original specification, and was ordered into full-scale production, with deliveries starting in July.[4][5] Although at first the Ki-46 proved almost immune from interception, the Imperial Japanese Army Air Force realised that improved Allied fighters such as the Supermarine Spitfire and P-38 Lightning could challenge this superiority, and in July 1942, it instructed Mitsubishi to produce a further improved version, the Ki-46-III.[6] This had more powerful, fuel-injected Mitsubishi Ha-112 engines, and a redesigned nose, with a fuel tank ahead of the pilot and a new canopy, smoothly faired from the extreme nose of the aircraft, eliminating the "step" of the earlier versions. The single defensive machine gun of the earlier aircraft was also omitted. The new version first flew in December 1942, demonstrating significantly higher speed (630 km/h (391 mph) at 6,000 m (19,700 ft).[7] The performance of the Ki-46-III, proved superior to that of the aircraft intended to replace it (the Tachikawa Ki-70), which as a result did not enter production.[8] In an attempt to yet further improve the altitude performance of the Ki-46, two prototypes were fitted with exhaust driven turbosupercharged Ha-112-II-Ru engines, flying in February 1944, but only two prototypes of this version were built[9] Mitsubishi factories made a total of 1,742 examples of all versions (34 units Ki-46-I, 1093 units Ki-46-II, 613 units Ki-46-III, 4 units Ki-46-IV）during 1941-44

Ki-102_Ki-46_J2M_Raiden_Fussa-Yokot

johnbr — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 19:05:48 -0500

by: johnbr

FW-189F

johnbr — Mon, 21 Nov 2011 22:03:27 -0500

by: johnbr

Ar_234a

johnbr — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 20:14:29 -0400

by: johnbr

Focke_Wulf_Fw_189_A_11

johnbr — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 23:59:59 -0400

by: johnbr

Convair OY-1 Sentinal

Bigbird — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:33:03 -0400

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is a U.S. Marine Corps Convair OY-1 Sentinel observation plane flies low over Naha, capital of Okinawa, circa May 1945. On this flight, the tiny ship drew small arms and antiaircraft fire from the city which was in Japanese control at the time. Photo by Lt. David D. Duncan, USMC. Source: http://arcweb.archives.gov/arc/basic_search.jsp, ARC Identifier: 532379; NARA file no. 127-GR-106-121116; U.S. www.defenseimagery.mil photo no. HD-SN-99-02994.

img_955777_17299518_3

johnbr — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:18:19 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Specifications (Fw 189 A-1) General characteristics Crew: 3 Length: 12 m (39 ft 4 in) Wingspan: 18.4 m (60 ft 4 in) Height: 3.7 m (12 ft 0 in) Wing area: 38 m� (409 ft�) Empty weight: 2,680 kg (5,920 lb) Loaded weight: 3,950 kg (8,708 lb) Powerplant: 2� Argus As 410, 342 kW (465 PS - 459 hp) each Performance Maximum speed: 357 km/h at 2,600 m (222 mph at 8,530 ft) Range: 670 km (416 mi) Service ceiling: 8,400 m (27,550 ft) Rate of climb: 8.3 m/s (1,640 ft/min) Wing loading: 103.9 kg/m� (21.3 lb/ft�) Power/mass: 86.6 W/kg (0.053 hp/lb) Armament 2 � 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 17 machine guns mounted in the wing roots, firing forward 1 � 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 machine gun in dorsal position, flexible mount, firing rearwards 1 � 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 15 in rear cone, flexible mount, firing rearwards (optional) In later versions, MG 15 were replaced with 7.92 mm (.312 in) MG 81Z twin-barrel machine gun 4 � 50 kg (110 lb) bombs

BV141-8f

johnbr — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 02:11:28 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Specifications (BV 141B) Data from[citation needed] General characteristics Crew: 3, pilot, observer and rear-gunner. Length: 14 m (45 ft 9 in) Wingspan: 17.5 m (57 ft 3.5 in) Height: 3.6 m (11 ft 9 in) Wing area: 53 m� (570 ft�) Empty weight: 4,700 kg (10,363 lb) Loaded weight: 5,700 kg (12,568 lb) Powerplant: 1� BMW 801 radial piston, 1,160 kW (1,560 hp) Performance Maximum speed: 438 km/h (272 mph) at 3,500 m (11,500 ft) Range: 1,200 km (745 mi) Service ceiling: 10,000 m (32,800 ft) Rate of climb: 570 m/min (1,860 ft/min) Wing loading: 60.2 kg/m� (12.3 lb/ft�) Power/mass: 448 W/kg (0.274 hp/lb) Armament Guns: 2 � 7.92 mm MG 17 machine guns and 2 � 7.92 mm MG 15 machine guns

siebel204d

johnbr — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:45:08 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: General characteristics Crew: one or two pilots Capacity: up to 8 passengers or up to 1,650 kg (3,638 lb) cargo Length: 13.00 m (42 ft 8 in) Wingspan: 21.33 m (70 ft 0 in) Height: 4.25 m (14 ft 0 in) Wing area: 46 m� (495 ft�) Empty weight: 3,950 kg (8,709 lb) Max takeoff weight: 5,600 kg (12,348 lb) Powerplant: 2� Argus As 411 A1, 441 kW (592 hp) each Performance Maximum speed: 364 km/h (228 mph) Range: 1,400 km (875 miles) Service ceiling: 6,400 m (20,992 ft) Rate of climb: 360 m/min (1,181 ft/min)

Siebel_Si-204

johnbr — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:29:10 -0400

Siebel_Si_204

johnbr — Sat, 02 Apr 2011 23:29:10 -0400

kyushu-q1w-tokai-lorna-anti-submarine-01

johnbr — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 20:53:43 -0400

by: johnbr

Description: Specifications Kyushu Q1W Tokai1 Kyushu Q1W1 Tokai1,2 Type Anti-submarine1 Reconnaissance2 Crew 31 32 Engine (Type) 2: Hitachi GK2C Amakaze 311 2: Hitachi GK2C Amakaze 312 Cylinders Radial 91 Radial 92 Cooling Air2 Net HP 610 each1 610 each2 Propeller blades 3 each1 Dimensions Span 52' 6"1 16 m1 52' 6"2 Length 39' 8"1 11.17 m1 39' 8"2 Height 13' 6"1 4.11 m1 13' 6"2 Wing area Weight Empty 6,839 lb1 3,102 kg1 Loaded 10,582 lb1,2 4,800 kg1 Maximum load 11,742 lb1 5,318 kg1 Performance Speed @ 4,395' / 1,340 m 200 mph1,2 322 kph1 Cruising speed 150 mph1 241 kph1 Climb Climb to 6,560' / 2,000 m 8.7 minutes1 Service ceiling 14,730'1,2 4,490 m1 Range 834 miles1,2 1,342 km1 Armament 1: MG2 1: 20 mm2 Rear cockpit 1: 7.7 mm MG1 Nose 2: 20 mm1 Bombs 1,100 lb2 Bombs - external 2: 551 lb1 2: 250 kg1 OR Depth charges1 Sources:

1626c

johnbr — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 22:43:10 -0400

by: johnbr

Junkers_290

johnbr — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:13:40 -0400

by: johnbr

FW189-003f_s

johnbr — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 10:13:39 -0400

by: johnbr

Piper NE-1 Grasshopper

Bigbird — Tue, 05 May 2009 06:57:42 -0400

by: Bigbird

Description: Shown here is NE-1 Grasshopper (BuNo 25381) at NAS Norfolk, Va., circa 1942. These aircraft were primarily used at elimination bases or as utility and hospital evacuation planes at air stations around the country. USN

BV 141

xavier — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:41:44 -0400

by: xavier

4 comments

Lightning_F-5B_recon_from_illust_encyc_air_153

Concorde247 — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:55:17 -0400

by: Concorde247

Lockheed_F-5_lightning_reconnaisance_from_illust_encyc_air_95

Concorde247 — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 21:55:16 -0400

by: Concorde247

Photo reconnaissance Spitfires

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 02:36:32 -0400

by: mfg

Spitfire PRXI

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 02:33:01 -0400

by: mfg

1 comment

Spitfire PRXIX

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 02:31:47 -0400

by: mfg

PRIX Spitfire

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 02:00:19 -0400

by: mfg

2 comments

Spifire PRXIX

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 01:56:36 -0400

by: mfg

Description: Last true photo reconnaissance mark of the Spitfire. This mark flown it's last photo reconaissance mission in 1954.

Spitfire PRXI

mfg — Sun, 14 May 2006 01:54:20 -0400

by: mfg

Description: Photo reconnaissance Spitfire PRIX

Dornier Do17P-1 reconaissance over spain.jpg

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:41 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: The battle of britain by Jon Lake

Nose XR-12

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:40 -0500

by: Administrator

Hughes XF-11

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:39 -0500

by: Administrator

Republic XF-12 Rainbow

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:39 -0500

by: Administrator

Polikarpov U2/Po2

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:38 -0500

by: Administrator

2 comments

Lysander- "Experimental Aeroplane No. 136".

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:38 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: Lysander K6127 fitted with a Perseus engine and Delanne tail modification

Grumman Hellcat PR.Mk.I

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:37 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: Shown here is a trio of Hellcat PR.Mk.Is of No.888 Sqd, Fleet Air Arm on a mission over the East Asian jungle, date and place unknown. Taken from Allied Escort Carriers of World War Two in Action.

L-1A Stinson Vigilant

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:36 -0500

by: Administrator

Convair OY-1

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:36 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: Shown here is a US Marine Corps OY-1 observation aircraft taking off from the deck of the escort carrier USS White Plains, 18th June, 1944. Taken from Allied Escort Carriers of World War II in Action.

End of a Condor

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:35 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: Shown here is a downed Fw 200C-1 Condor slowing sinking to its watery grave. two of its crew have manned a small rubber raft, whilst others are swimming towards it. Taken from Allied Escort Cariers of World War Two in Action.

Saiman 202

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:35 -0500

by: Administrator

IMAM Ro.63

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:35 -0500

by: Administrator

Avro Anson

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:34 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: In the 1930s A.V. Roe Company (Britain) built the Avro Anson as a reconnaissance airplane for the RAF. The aircraft began its military service in 1936, becoming the RAF's first monoplane. By 1939 it was already becoming obsolete. HMS Revenge was built by Vickers and launched on the 29th of May 1915, joining the 1st battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet in March 1916.She was present at the Battle of Jutland firing both her 3 inch AA Guns and her main 15 inch Armament at a Zeppelin during the late stages of the battle. After the first world war she was sent to The Mediterranean in 1920. She served in the Home fleet and Atlantic escorting 1939-1940. She was scrapped at Inverkeithing 5th September 1948.

Focke-Wulf Fw 200C-1 Condor

Administrator — Sat, 25 Mar 2006 11:30:34 -0500

by: Administrator

Description: Shown here is a fine aerial shot of a Fw 200C-1 Condor in flight. Taken from Allied Escort Carriers of World War Two in Action.