world war ii library

World War II was fought in the air as much as it was on the ground, with entire squadrons of fighter planes and bombers engaging in combat. Explore some of the most famous types of World War II airplanes and learn how they were used in combat operations.

Featured Article: How WWII Fighter Planes Worked

The film "Pearl Harbor" is now playing. Look at the aircraft involved in that battle, technological marvels for their time. See more »

Articles 21-22 of 22

Supermarine Spitfire

The Supermarine Spitfire was continuously improved throughout World War II, with 22,000 Spitfires produced. The Spitfire fought successfully in every theater of the war. See specifications for the Spitfire and read how this heroic airplane developed.

Yakovlev Yak-9

The Russian Yakovlev Yak-9 was faster and more maneuverable than many other planes. The Yak-9 model also featured more metal in the structure, so it was lighter and more maneuverable than earlier iterations. Read more specs for the Yak-9 airplane.