This WWII Plane Was Hardly Faster Than a Cheetah

World War II revolutionized aviation. Aircraft development significantly accelerated, especially compared to the past. As the Air Force Historical Support Divison explains, “Before the start of the war the U.S. Army Air Corps had only a few hundred air planes. By the end of the war it was the largest Air Force ever assembled with nearly 80,000 airplanes.” To understand why, it’s important to recognize the role that aircraft played in the progression of the war. The planes that the U.S. was developing were faster, more maneuverable, and more efficient than ever before. They could support ground troops or drop bombs (in fact, it was B-29 “Superfortress” planes that bombed Hiroshima and Nagasaki), but also carry supplies and cargo to hard-to-reach areas. Aircraft undoubtedly influenced U.S. military strategy.

Not every plane was speedy, however. Some were slower but sturdier, able to withstand battle damage without going done. For others, speed was a centerpoint of the aircraft — these planes were designed to enter (and exit) battle situations quickly and effectively. But which planes during WWII had the gift of speed? To determine the fastest American military planes from World War II, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed WW2 Aircraft Ranked-by-Speed, a list compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. Only military planes that had production runs of more than 150 and that served during World War II were included. 24/7 Wall St. ranked these aircraft based on their top speed. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about the year the craft entered service, crew size, and roles also came from Military Factory.

Why This Matters

World War II brought about a dramatic shift in technology. New aircraft emerged that far surpassed anything used just a few decades earlier. These new American planes fundamentally altered the technical aspects of warfare and how soldiers and pilots approached fighting. By learning about the fastest and slowest American planes used in World War II, you gain a deeper understanding of both the scale and impact of aviation on the war and those fighting in it.

Check out the fastest (and slowest) aircraft fielded by the United States in World War II:

66. Piper L-4 Grasshopper

43-0753/24-L Piper L-4 Grassho... (CC BY 2.0) by Steve Knight

• Top speed: 85 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 5,500
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance

65. Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74)

• Top speed: 121 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 324
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

64. Naval Aircraft Factory N3N (Yellow Peril)

Naval Aircraft Factory N3N-3 u00e2... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Top speed: 127 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 997
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

63. Stinson L-5 Sentinel

Stinson L-5 Sentinel (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Falconu00c2u00ae Photography

• Top speed: 165 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 3,896
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Close-air support, special mission, maritime, surveillance, reconnaissance

62. Curtiss SOC Seagull

• Top speed: 165 mph
• Year entered service: 1935
• Production run: 322
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, Special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

61. Curtiss SO3C Seamew

• Top speed: 172 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 796
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Maritime, surveillance, reconnaissance

60. Stinson Reliant

Stinson Reliant (CC BY 2.0) by D. Miller

• Top speed: 177 mph
• Year entered service: 1933
• Production run: 1,327
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Trainer, surveillance, reconnaissance

59. Consolidated PBY Catalina

Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina u00e2... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Top speed: 179 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 3,305
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attack, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

58. Vultee BT-13 Valiant

• Top speed: 183 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 11,537
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

57. Grumman J2F Duck

• Top speed: 183 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 11,537
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

56. Beech AT-10 Wichita

• Top speed: 199 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 2,371
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

55. Grumman Goose (G-21)

• Top speed: 201 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 345
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Transport, trainer, surveillance, reconnaissance

54. Northrop A-17 (Nomad)

• Top speed: 208 mph
• Year entered service: 1935
• Production run: 411
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, close-air support, surveillance, reconnaissance

53. North American T-6 Texan

• Top speed: 209 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 15,495
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Close-air support, trainer

52. Beech AT-11 Kansan

N68255 Beech AT-11 Kansan (CC BY 2.0) by Steve Knight

• Top speed: 214 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 1,606
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, trainer

51. Douglas B-18 Bolo

• Top speed: 215 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 360
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, special mission, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

50. Curtiss O-52 Owl

• Top speed: 221 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 203
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance

49. Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

• Top speed: 223 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 217
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, ground attacks

48. Beechcraft C-45 (Expeditor)

• Top speed: 224 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,300
• Crew: 9
• Roles: Transport

47. Boeing P-26 Peashooter

• Top speed: 227 mph
• Year entered service: 1932
• Production run: 151
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat

46. Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota)

• Top speed: 230 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 12,748
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, transport

45. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

• Top speed: 237 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 257
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Special missions, air-to-air combat, ground attacks

44. Lockheed Hudson

• Top speed: 249 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 2,941
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, training, ground attacks, transport

43. Douglas A-24 Banshee

• Top speed: 250 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 953
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, training, ground attacks, close-air support

42. Vought SB2U Vindicator

• Top speed: 251 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 260
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Training, ground attacks, special missions

41. Douglas SBD Dauntless

• Top speed: 255 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 5,936
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions

40. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

• Top speed: 260 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 7,140
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, surveillance, reconnaissance

39. Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando

• Top speed: 270 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 3,181
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

38. Grumman TBF Avenger

• Top speed: 271 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 9,835
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, special missions

37. North American B-25 Mitchell

• Top speed: 272 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,816
• Crew: 5
• Roles: Reconnaissance, training, transport, surveillance, ground attacks, close-air support, special missions

36. Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

• Top speed: 273 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 771
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, ground attacks

35. Douglas C-54 Skymaster (DC-4)

• Top speed: 275 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 1,170
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

34. Vultee A-35 Vengeance

• Top speed: 279 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,962
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks

33. Martin B-26 Marauder

• Top speed: 282 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 5,288
• Crew: 7
• Roles: Ground attacks, training

32. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

• Top speed: 287 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 12,731
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, special missions, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

31. Consolidated B-24 Liberator

• Top speed: 290 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 18,482
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

30. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

• Top speed: 300 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 739
• Crew: 11
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance

29. Martin Baltimore

• Top speed: 302 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,575
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Ground attack

28. Consolidated Vultee TBY Sea Wolf

• Top speed: 306 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 180
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, maritime warfare

27. Seversky P-35

• Top speed: 308 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 196
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, interception, ground attacks, training

26. Curtiss SC Seahawk

• Top speed: 313 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 577
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Special mission, maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance

25. Martin Maryland

• Top speed: 316 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 450
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, reconnaissance, surveillance

24. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)

• Top speed: 321 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 509
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, maritime warfare

23. Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon

• Top speed: 322 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 3,028
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

22. Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk)

Curtiss P-36 Hawk (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Falconu00c3u0082u00c2u00ae Photography

• Top speed: 322 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 1,115
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat

21. Grumman F4F Wildcat

• Top speed: 332 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 7,722
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, maritime warfare

20. Douglas P-70 Nighthawk

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 163
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-t0-air combat fighting, interception, training

19. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 7,478
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-t0-air combat fighting, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance

18. Lockheed C-69 Constellation (Model L-049)

• Top speed: 346 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 856
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

17. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

• Top speed: 351 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,180
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks

16. Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader

• Top speed: 355 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 2,452
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

15. Republic P-43 Lancer

• Top speed: 357 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 272
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

14. North American A-36 Mustang

• Top speed: 365 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 500
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, ground attacks, close air support

13. Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow

• Top speed: 366 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 742
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, surveillance, reconnaissance

12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

• Top speed: 378 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 16,800
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, air-to-air combat

11. Grumman F6F Hellcat

• Top speed: 380 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 12,272
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, interception, ground attacks, close-air support

10. Martin AM Mauler

• Top speed: 384 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 151
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Close-air support, maritime warfare

9. Bell P-39 Airacobra

• Top speed: 386 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,588
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, close-air support

8. Bell P-63 Kingcobra

• Top speed: 410 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 3,303
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support

7. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

• Top speed: 414 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 9,923
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

6. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair

• Top speed: 416 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 600
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

5. Grumman F8F Bearcat

• Top speed: 421 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 1,266
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, maritime warfare

4. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Harley Flowers

• Top speed: 433 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 15,660
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support, interception, ground attacks

3. North American P-51 Mustang

• Top speed: 437 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 15,586
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training

2. Vought F4U Corsair

• Top speed: 446 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 12,571
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime warfare, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

1. Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star

• Top speed: 577 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 1,715
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support