World War II was America’s greatest war. It was also the deadliest, causing an immense number of fatalities. This massive war, which involved upwards of 50 countries, was set in motion in 1939, shortly after Hitler invaded Poland. Fortunately, though the war was long and costly, the Allies emerged victorious.
During this most important of wars, aircraft carriers were used to transport machinery and planes to the war front. Without these behemoths delivering specific aircraft overseas, the Allies would not have been as effective at defeating the Germans.
To identify every carrier-based aircraft the United States used during WWII, 24/7 Wall St. referenced U.S. naval aircraft in the WWII era from the online military equipment database Military Factory, which details military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. The planes were listed in ascending order on production totals. We excluded prototype aircraft and those with limited production runs. Supplemental information about the aircraft’s type, crew size, top speed, roles, and year they entered service also came from the Military Factory.
The initial production line of fighter aircraft used by the U.S. Navy and Marines was the Grumman F4F Wildcat. It served as the primary carrier-based fighter in the early stages of the war in the Pacific, proving to be an exceptionally rugged and reliable aircraft.
Why We Are Covering American Carrier-Borne Planes
Although land-based aircraft have many advantages, the benefits of carrier-borne planes far outweigh the disadvantages. America has several enemies and potential threats relatively far from land bases, so the use of aircraft carriers makes sense. In our modern world with ever-shifting alliances and emerging threats to national security, the United States seeks to maintain combat readiness. The planes that are used on aircraft carriers are specially adapted for these conditions. As of April 2024, the United States has 11 large nuclear-powered fleet carriers — carrying around 80 fighters each. The production of these aircraft and ships is an important part of the weapons manufacturing business in the U.S.
Here is a Ranking of World War II American Carrier-Based Planes by Production Numbers During the War:
20. Douglas BTD Destroyer
Number produced: 30
Type: torpedo/dive bomber
First year of service: 1944
Top speed: 334 mph
Use: ground attacks
19. Ryan FR Fireball
Number produced: 66
Type: mixed-power fighter
First year of service: 1945
Top speed: 426 mph
Use: air-to-air combat
18. Douglas TBD Devastator
Number produced: 130
Type: torpedo bomber
First year of service: 1937
Top speed: 206 mph
Use: ground attacks
17. Martin AM Mauler
Number produced: 151
Type: attack aircraft
First year of service: 1948
Top speed: 384 mph
Use: close-air support
16. Consolidated Vultee TBY Sea Wolf
Number produced: 180
Type: torpedo bomber
First year of service: 1944
Top speed: 306 mph
Use: ground attacks
15. Curtiss SBC Helldiver
Number produced: 257
Type: dive bomber
First year of service: 1938
Top speed: 237 mph
Use: air-to-air combat, anti-ship, ground attacks
14. Vought SB2U Vindicator
Number produced: 260
Type: dive bomber
First year of service: 1937
Top speed: 251 mph
Use: ground attacks, anti-ship, training
13. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)
Number produced: 509
Type: single-engine monoplane fighter
First year of service: 1939
Top speed: 321 mph
Use: air-to-air combat
12. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair
Number produced: 600
Type: single-engine fighter
First year of service: 1943
Top speed: 416 mph
Use: air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, surveillance, air support
11. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
Number produced: 739
Type: long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft
First year of service: 1943
Top speed: 300 mph
Use: ground attack, anti-submarine, anti-ship, search and rescue, surveillance