World War II Pilots Never Imagined Their Planes Could Fly This Fast

When World War II pilots strapped into their cockpits, many of them as the only crew member, the speed of the plane could mean the difference between life and death. Flying just a few extra miles per hour might let a flyer stop a bomb, help a reconnaissance plane escape from enemy interceptors, or figure out where enemy troops were congregating — allowing for more targeted and informed attacks. Aircraft development in World War II had significantly advanced since World War I. Still, as aircraft technology continued to shift and change in World War II, speed became a more powerful tool than ever before. Even a small advantage conferred large benefits in battle. The United States began focusing on improving aircraft speeds to give themselves strategic and tactical improvements — and to ultimately come out on top compared to many other nations around the world. (This bomber was the most manufactured aircraft of World War II.)

As a history or military buff, you might be wondering which aircraft made a difference in Allied success during World War II. How fast were those aircraft, and what role did they play in combat? To identify the fastest U.S. military aircraft of 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. Military aircraft were ranked based on their top speed. Only military planes that had production runs of more than 30 were considered, while prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about the year entered service, crew size, and roles also came from the Military Factory.

Why We’re Covering the Fastest WWII Planes

World War II was the deadliest and most destructive war in all of human history. To beat enemies, many countries raced to develop new technology and designs, such as (but not limited to) medicine, weaponry, and planes. Though these improvements were made specifically to advance the war, they’ve had long-lasting effects on daily life. Today, we can credit improvements in plane speeds, fuel efficiency, and altitude limits on what we’ve learned from past aircraft construction.

These are the 20 fastest U.S. military planes during World War II:

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

• Maximum speed: 346 mph
• First year in service: 1945
• Number of planes made: 856
• Crew: 4
• Used for: Transport

19. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

• Maximum speed: 351 mph
• First year in service: 1941
• Number of planes made: 1,180
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Combat (ground attacks such as strafing, bombing, and air-to-air combat)

18. Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader

• Maximum speed: 355 mph
• First year in service: 1944
• Number of planes made: 2,452
• Crew: 3
• Used for: Training, reconnaissance, ground attacks like bombing and strafing, intelligence, surveillance, close air support

17. Republic P-43 Lancer

• Maximum speed:  357 mph
• First year in service: 1941
• Number of planes made: 272
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks like bombing and strafing, training, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance

16. Consolidated B-32 Dominator

• Maximum speed: 357 mph
• First year in service: 1945
• Number of planes made: 118
• Crew: 10
• Used for: Training, ground attacks like strafing and bombing

15. Boeing B-29 Superfortress

• Maximum speed: 358 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 3,970
• Crew: 10
• Used for: Training, search and rescue, aerial refueling, transport, surveillance, ground attacks like bombing and strafing

14. North American A-36 Mustang

• Maximum speed: 365 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 500
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat, close-air support, occasional ground attack

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

• Maximum speed: 366 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 742
• Crew: 3
• Used for: Air-to-air combat, intelligence, reconnaissance

12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Falconu00c3u0082u00c2u00ae Photography

• Maximum speed: 378 mph
• First year in service: 1941
• Number of planes made: 16,800
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat, surveillance, reconnaissance, intelligence

11. Grumman F6F Hellcat

• Maximum speed: 380 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 12,272
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Ground attacks, close-air support, air combat, interceptions

10. Bell P-39 Airacobra

• Maximum speed: 386 mph
• First year in service: 1941
• Number of planes made: 9,588
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Ground attacks, air combat, close-air support, interceptions

9. Bell P-63 Kingcobra

• Maximum speed: 410 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 3,303
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat and support

8. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

• Maximum speed: 414 mph
• First year in service: 1939
• Number of planes made: 9,923
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Combat, ground attacks, surveillance

7. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair

• Maximum speed: 416 mph
• First year in service: 1943
• Number of planes made: 600
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat, interception, ground attacks, close-air support, intelligence, reconnaissance

6. Grumman F8F Bearcat

Grumman F8F-2 Bearcat u00e2u0080u009812267... (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Alan Wilson

• Maximum speed: 421 mph
• First year in service: 1945
• Number of planes made: 1,266
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat and interception

5. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

• Maximum speed: 433 mph
• First year in service: 1942
• Number of planes made: 15,660
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Close-air support, air combat, ground attacks

4. North American P-51 Mustang

• Maximum speed: 437 mph
• First year in service: 1942
• Number of planes made: 15,586
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Interception, training, air combat and support, reconnaissance, surveillance, intelligence

3. Northrop F-15 Reporter

• Maximum speed: 441 mph
• First year in service: 1945
• Number of planes made: 36
• Crew: 2
• Used for: Surveillance, reconnaissance

2. Vought F4U Corsair

Vought F4U Corsair 7 (CC BY 2.0) by Tony Hisgett

• Maximum speed: 446 mph
• First year in service: 1942
• Number of planes made: 12,571
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Interception, intelligence, air support, air combat, reconnaissance, surveillance

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

• Maximum speed: 577 mph
• First year in service: 1945
• Number of planes made: 1,715
• Crew: 1
• Used for: Air combat, close-air support