During the Second World War, the United States developed a range of cutting-edge aircraft, many of them capable of achieving remarkable speeds for that age. Jet propulsion had just been invented in the years leading up to the U.S. entering the war, and a new age of aviation was just beginning. (See also the most mass produced planes in World War II.)
The entrance of the United States into World War II would add to the Allied Forces. Factories in the U.S. were churning out thousands of aircraft among other assets as part of the war effort, and these would ultimately help turn the tide in favor of the Allies. These aircraft mark the evolution of aviation and the military, with some becoming symbols of the war.
To determine the fastest American military planes from WWII, 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. We only included military planes that had production runs of more than 150 and that served during the war, ranking them based on their top speed. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about year entered service, crew size, and roles also came from Military Factory.
Two notable aircraft are the P-51 Mustang and the P-38 Lightning, which stand out for their speed, maneuverability, and impact on the outcome of the war.
The P-51 Mustang is one of the most recognizable and fastest planes fielded by the Americans in WWII. Primarily used as a long-range bomber escort in raids over Germany, the P-51 Mustang was capable of reaching speeds of up to 437 mph. The P-51’s range of more than 950 miles, combined with its speed and firepower made it a formidable force, directly affecting the strategic bombing campaigns successes against the Axis forces.
The P-38 Lightning was another high-speed American aircraft, known for its unique twin-engine design. With its turbo-supercharged engines, the P-38 could achieve an impressive top speed of 414 mph. The P-38 was used in a variety of roles, including interception, dive bombing, ground-attack, and reconnaissance missions.
These are just a couple examples of the aircraft fielded by the United States during WWII. While some of the fastest aircraft were air-to-air combat fighters and bombers, slower aircraft on the list include transport or reconnaissance planes. Notably, most of these aircraft were designed and built during the war and in the years leading up to it, so they were outfitted with the best technology of the age, far outpacing the aircraft of decades past.
U.S. aircraft — slower and faster alike — were critical to the Allied victory. And despite the victory, there were many losses. Here are famous American ships that sank in World War II.
Here is a look at the fastest and slowest aircraft fielded by the United States in WWII.
66. Piper L-4 Grasshopper
> Top speed: 85 mph
> Year entered service: 1941
> Production run: 5,500
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance
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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)
> Top speed: 127 mph
> Year entered service: 1936
> Production run: 997
> Crew: 2
> Roles: Trainer
63. Stinson L-5 Sentinel
> 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
> Top speed: 177 mph
> Year entered service: 1933
> Production run: 1,327
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Trainer, surveillance, reconnaissance
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59. Consolidated PBY Catalina
> 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
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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
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52. Beech AT-11 Kansan
> 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
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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,
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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22. Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk)
> 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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
> 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
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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
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