This World War II Plane Flew Faster Than Some More Modern Planes

How can you fight in a world war if you lack a sufficient air fleet? The United States asked itself exactly that question at the onset of World War II. At the time, the country had only a few hundred aircraft available. By the end of the war? The number had increased significantly, with the U.S. having more than 80,000 aircraft. What’s unique about the progression of the American Air Force during World War II is that the military ended up flying over 100 different types of aircraft, according to the Air Force Historical Support Division. This means that not only did the U.S. increase its total number of planes, but really thought about how those planes could be used strategically in different combat or reconnaissance scenarios. Reconnaissance planes were designed for stealth, with stronger engine performances. Cargo planes carried in equipment and troops. And attack aircraft flew at low altitudes and supported troops on the ground, which required them to be both fast and highly maneuverable. (America produced over 18,000 of this airplane to bring the WWII win home.)

But which planes were the fastest from that period, and which planes got left in the dust? 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 with production runs of more than 150 and that served during the war were included. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about the year entered service, crew size, and roles also came from Military Factory. The planes are ranked based on their top speed.

Why Does This Matter?

American military aircraft during World War II were outfitted with the best technology of that time. These aircraft far outpaced those of decades past, supplementing military power and promoting the U.S. as a world leader in military supplies. Some of the fastest aircraft were air-to-air combat fighters and bombers, with slower aircraft used for transport and reconnaissance. Understanding how and where these planes were used provides a more in-depth and comprehensive look at how U.S. military strategy (and spending) developed over time.

Take a look at 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: 189 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 564
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Special mission, maritime

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: Ground attack, surveillance, reconnaissance

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 fighter

46. Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota)

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

45. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

• Top speed: 237 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 257
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack, special mission

44. Lockheed Hudson

• Top speed: 249 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 2,941
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

43. Douglas A-24 Banshee

• Top speed: 250 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 953
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, close-air support, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

42. Vought SB2U Vindicator

• Top speed: 251 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 260
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, special mission, trainer

41. Douglas SBD Dauntless

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

40. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

• Top speed: 260 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 7,140
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, Special mission, 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 fighter, ground attack, special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance

37. North American B-25 Mitchell

• Top speed: 272 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,816
• Crew: 5
• Roles: Ground attack, close-air support, special mission, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

36. Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

• Top speed: 273 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 771
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, maritime, surveillance, reconnaissance

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 attack

33. Martin B-26 Marauder

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

32. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

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

31. Consolidated B-24 Liberator

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

30. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

• Top speed: 300 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 739
• Crew: 11
• Roles: Ground attack, special mission, maritime, 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 attack, maritime

27. Seversky P-35

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

26. Curtiss SC Seahawk

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

25. Martin Maryland

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

24. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)

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

23. Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon

• Top speed: 322 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 3,028
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

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 fighter

21. Grumman F4F Wildcat

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

20. Douglas P-70 Nighthawk

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 163
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, trainer

19. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 7,478
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack, 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 fighter, ground attack

16. Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader

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

15. Republic P-43 Lancer

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

14. North American A-36 Mustang

• Top speed: 365 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 500
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack, 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 fighter, surveillance and reconnaissance

12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

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

11. Grumman F6F Hellcat

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

9. Bell P-39 Airacobra

• Top speed: 386 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,588
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack, 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 fighter, 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 fighter, ground attack, 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 fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing, close-air support, maritime, 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 fighter, interception, maritime

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 fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support

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 fighter, 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 fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime, 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 fighter, close-air support