Fighter planes had an essential role to play in the outcome of World War II. Iconic aircraft, such as the P4-Thunderbolt or the P-51 Mustang, today are preserved in museums or exhibited in public spaces in remembrance of the aircraft and their pilots. Throughout the duration of WWII, the US went on to build over 300,000 airplanes. (Also see the 20 fastest planes of World War II.)
To determine the least and most mass-produced American fighter planes from WWII, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of World War II aircraft, a list compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We only included active fighter planes during the war, ranking them based on the total produced. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. The Military Factory also provided supplemental information about the year entered service, type, manufacturer, crew size, and top speed.
Why Is This Important?
The United States was leery of joining World War II and only eventually became a part of it when Japan attacked American soil in the dead of night, killing thousands in Pearl Harbor. Once they were involved, the full might of the country was wielded to meet the needs of not just their own war efforts but of many of their allies. Many factories were transitioned to produce materials for war machines.
Here is a look at the American fighter planes of WWII ranked by production.
27. Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon
- Number of aircraft produced: 62
- Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
- Type: Fighter/interceptor aircraft
The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 314 mph.
26. Bell P-59 Airacomet
- Number of aircraft produced: 66
- Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
- Type: Jet-powered fighter aircraft
The Bell P-59 Airacomet entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 389 mph.
25. Ryan FR Fireball
- Number of aircraft produced: 66
- Manufacturer: Ryan Aeronautical
- Type: Mixed-power fighter aircraft
The Ryan FR Fireball entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 426 mph.
24. Vultee P-66 Vanguard (Model 48)
- Number of aircraft produced: 146
- Manufacturer: Vultee Aircraft
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Vultee P-66 Vanguard (Model 48) entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.
23. Grumman F3F
- Number of aircraft produced: 147
- Manufacturer: Grumman
- Type: Carrierborne biplane fighter aircraft
The Grumman F3F entered service in 1936. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 264 mph.
22. Boeing P-26 Peashooter
- Number of aircraft produced: 151
- Manufacturer: Boeing
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Boeing P-26 Peashooter entered service in 1932. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 227 mph.
21. Douglas P-70 Nighthawk
- Number of aircraft produced: 163
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Type: Night fighter aircraft
The Douglas P-70 Nighthawk entered service in 1942. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.
20. Seversky P-35
- Number of aircraft produced: 196
- Manufacturer: Seversky (Republic)
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Seversky P-35 entered service in 1937. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 308 mph.
19. Curtiss SBC Helldiver
- Number of aircraft produced: 257
- Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
- Type: Naval dive bomber/fighter aircraft
The Curtiss SBC Helldiver entered service in 1938. It could fit two crew members and had a maximum speed of 237 mph.
18. Republic P-43 Lancer
- Number of aircraft produced: 272
- Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The Republic P-43 Lancer entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 357 mph.
17. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)
- Number of aircraft produced: 509
- Manufacturer: Brewster Aeronautical
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Brewster F2A (Buffalo) entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 321 mph.
16. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair
- Number of aircraft produced: 600
- Manufacturer: Brewster Aeronautical
- Type: Carrierborne fighter aircraft
The Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 416 mph.
15. Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow
- Number of aircraft produced: 742
- Manufacturer: Northrop
- Type: Night fighter-reconnaissance aircraft
The Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow entered service in 1943. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 366 mph.
14. Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk)
- Number of aircraft produced: 1,115
- Manufacturer: Curtiss Aeroplane Company
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk) entered service in 1938. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 322 mph.
13. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk
- Number of aircraft produced: 1,180
- Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 351 mph.
12. Grumman F8F Bearcat
- Number of aircraft produced: 1,266
- Manufacturer: Grumman
- Type: Carrierborne interceptor aircraft
The Grumman F8F Bearcat entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 421 mph.
11. Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
- Number of aircraft produced: 1,715
- Manufacturer: Lockheed
- Type: Jet-powered fighter-bomber aircraft
The Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 577 mph.
10. Bell P-63 Kingcobra
- Number of aircraft produced: 3,303
- Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
- Type: Fighter aircraft
The Bell P-63 Kingcobra entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 410 mph.
9. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston
- Number of aircraft produced: 7,478
- Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
- Type: Light bomber/night fighter aircraft
The Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston entered service in 1941. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.
8. Grumman F4F Wildcat
- Number of aircraft produced: 7,722
- Manufacturer: General Motors / Grumman
- Type: Carrierborne fighter aircraft
The Grumman F4F Wildcat entered service in 1940. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 332 mph.
7. Bell P-39 Airacobra
- Number of aircraft produced: 9,588
- Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The Bell P-39 Airacobra entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 386 mph.
6. Lockheed P-38 Lightning
- Number of aircraft produced: 9,923
- Manufacturer: Lockheed
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 414 mph.
5. Grumman F6F Hellcat
- Number of aircraft produced: 12,272
- Manufacturer: Grumman
- Type: Carrierborne fighter-bomber aircraft
The Grumman F6F Hellcat entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 380 mph.
4. Vought F4U Corsair
- Number of aircraft produced: 12,571
- Manufacturer: Chance Vought / Brewster Aeronautical
- Type: Carrierborne night fighter-bomber aircraft
- Year entered service: 1942
- Top speed: 446 mph
- Crew: 1
The Vought F4U Corsair entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 446 mph.
3. North American P-51 Mustang
- Number of aircraft produced: 15,586
- Manufacturer: North American Aviation
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The North American P-51 Mustang entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 437 mph.
2. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
- Number of aircraft produced: 15,660
- Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 433 mph.
1. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
- Number of aircraft produced: 16,800
- Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
- Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 378 mph.
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