Some Questions about WWII Aircrafts

[Petersson]

Hello everyone. I am working on a project about WWII aircrafts. But, well, I don't know too much about it. Luckily, I found this place. So I wish somebody could answer a few questions for me.

1. What was the mortality rate for aircraft pilot? Was it higher than the other soldiers?
2. About how much money does a aircraft cost (averagely)? Thousands or millions?

Em...that's the only two I can think of right now. But I guess there will be more.
Thanks very much if anyone could answer them. thanks!

[paaln]

re question 2: http://permanent.access.gpo.gov/lps5...digest/t82.htm

[Dogwalker]

question 2, for some italian aircrafts.
Fiat G50 - 390,000 Lires
Macchi C200 - 400,000 Lires
Reggiane Re2001 - 520,000 Lires
Macchi C202 - 510,000 Lires
SAI 403 (projected) - 96,000 Lires
Breda 88 - 740,000 Lires
The prices are not comprehensive of the engines and war equipements, that were properties of the government and were given to the firms, to be mounted on the aircrafts, directly by the administration.
The Lira/USDollar exchange rate was of 19/1 at the end of the '30s.
The typical monthly earning of an italian middle-class employee was of 1,000 Lires at that time. A little car (the Fiat 500 "Topolino") had a price of 9,000 Lires.

[Wurger]

#2-for the Polish aircrafts
PZL P11c - a plane 63500 zl. (1936)
an engine 95000 zl.
armament 14000 zl.
radio 6000zl.
-------------------
178500 zl.

PZL P23A Karas - a plane 125,000 zl. (1936)

PZL P37B Los - a plane 280,000 zl. ( 1938 )
engines 130,000 zl.
armament 20,000 zl.
radio over 6000 zl.
---------------------
~ 450,000 zl.

I don't know Zloty/USDollar exchange rate in '30s.

[Petersson]

Alright, thanks very much!
I had narrow it down my topic a little bit. I will only do the jet powered aircrafts in WWII. I guess it will be easier if it’s more specific.

Anyway, thanks a lot for your information.

[Wurger]

You are welcome.

[Jabberwocky]

The hand built Spitfire Mk I prototype (K5054) cost 15,776 pounds. Early production Mk Is cost around 9000 pounds and the Mk II slightly less.

[evangilder]

Your questions are a bit vague, or the answers are too broad for a quick answer. Pilot mortality figures are going to vary according to aircraft type (bomber, fighter, cargo, etc). That being said, aircrews in Europe for the 8th AF had staggering losses. Your chances of surviving the war were better as a Marine than an aircrew in Europe, statistically.

Aircraft costs are also dependant on type. Bombers will obviously be more expensive than fighters. There are tons of those figures out on the web.

[Salim]

Just an OT question. Just what was the mortality rates of Marines in World War 2? I know they suffered termendous losses in the pacific theater, but any stats?

Anyway, just a pointer to say. The 8th AF bomber crews generally had a mortality rate of 71%, meaning that 71% of all aircrew who went over Germany never came lived to their end of their Tours of Duty.

One other OT note is that the most dangerous place to be in World War 2 was onboard a German submarine... you had a 75% chance of getting killed if you were a U-boat crew member. Tough going, let me tell you...

[wmaxt]

In mid '43 AAF fighter cost

P-39 - $60,000
P-40 - $49,000
P-38 - $105,567
P-47 - $104,258

in '45 they had come down somewhat
P-51 ~$54,000
P-38 ~$95,000
P-47 ~$87,000

wmaxt

[moxs602]

I am also looking for aircraft costs for WWII and the Cold War. Trying to find more specific and extensive costs. I have the US Army Airforce Table, which is great. Does anyone know of similar info for US Navy, Britain, Germany, Italy, France and Japan etc?

[mkloby]

Originally Posted by Salim

Just an OT question. Just what was the mortality rates of Marines in World War 2? I know they suffered termendous losses in the pacific theater, but any stats?

Anyway, just a pointer to say. The 8th AF bomber crews generally had a mortality rate of 71%, meaning that 71% of all aircrew who went over Germany never came lived to their end of their Tours of Duty.

One other OT note is that the most dangerous place to be in World War 2 was onboard a German submarine... you had a 75% chance of getting killed if you were a U-boat crew member. Tough going, let me tell you...

US Navy page says US Marines suffered 19,568 total killed (17,376 KIA - 1682 wounded, later died - and 510 POWs died.

Another page - grolier.com states 19,733 USMC battle deaths, plus 4,778 deaths - other causes. they list total USMC strength between 7 DEC 1941 and 31 DEC 1946 at 669,100.
Hope this helps.