A Museum Tour Through Aviation History

World War II Aviation (Gallery 205)

The World War II Aviation gallery highlights some of the better-known fighter aircraft of the War, one each from five of the major warring nations -- the United States, Great Britain, Japan, Germany, and Italy.

"Fortress Under Fire" by Keith Ferris
(1976)

[Photo from a NASM Postcard]

Too large to be displayed in the Museum on the National Mall, the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is represented in this remarkable painting called Fortress Under Fire. The B-17 is perhaps the most famous and was the most successful American bomber of the War. It was capable of carrying 17,600 pounds of bombs and was armed with 12 machine guns for defense from attacking enemy fighters.

Messerschmitt Bf-109G
(1935)

Perhaps the best known German fighter of World War II, the Messerschmitt Bf-109G first flew in September 1935 and was publicly displayed at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. But, although produced in fantastic numbers -- over 20,000 of the "G" model alone -- the Bf-109 suffered heavy casualties from Allied fighters both over England and in attacks on Allied bombers of the European mainland. Nevertheless, German fighter aces raked up high kill rates against the Allies flying the Bf-109, with the top German ace of the War, Major Erich Hartmann, scoring 352 kills.

Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VII
(1936)

The prototype Spitfire first flew in March 1936, and just a couple months later an order for 310 production aircraft was placed. By the time war with Germany was declared, 400 Spitfires were in operation and another 2,100 were on order. The Spitfire's most heroic action of the War was against the Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain. American pilots who volunteered to serve with the Royal Air Force before America's entry into the War formed the basis for the famed "Eagle Squadron" in October 1940. The Museum's Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VII was a high-altitude variant, of which only 140 were produced.

Macchi MC-202 Folgore
(1940)

Although not well known in the United States, the Macchi MC-202 Folgore was one of the most effective fighters during the early years of the War in Europe. It first flew in August 1940 and was used in Libya against the less capable Curtiss P-40s and Hawker Hurricanes then in service with the British. One unusual fact about the MC-202 is that it's left wing was 8 inches longer than the right wing as a means of counterbalancing the rotational torque of the engine. The Museums aircraft is one of only two surviving examples of the MC-202.

Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero
(1940)

The Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero epitomizes the Japanese fighter airplane of World War II. From its introduction in 1940, the Zero's performance was superior to all of its potential opponents. It was used extensively in the attack of Pearl Harbor and almost all battles against American forces. About 10,000 Zeros, of different variants, were produced during the war. The Museum's example was captured on Saipan in 1944.

Martin B-26B Marauder "Flak Bait"
(1943)

The first production Martin B-26 flew in November 1940 and was pressed into service in the Pacific just days after the United States entered the War. Initially, the B-26 had a high rate of training accidents, but it eventually because a very capable and successful medium bomber. The nose of the Martin B-26B Marauder "Flak Bait" is on display at the Museum (the entire plane being too large). "Flak Bait" had the distinction of being the most active American aircraft of the entire War. It flew 202 bombing missions in Europe, including some at night and others against German V-1 "buzz bombs." Despite returning from many missions full of bullet and flak holes, it survived to bring its crews back home.

North American P-51D Mustang
(1942)

The North American P-51D Mustang is considered by many as being one of the best fighter planes of World War II. It went from design to flight in less than 4 months and was in service with the Royal Air Force by the summer of 1942. It was later adopted by the U.S. Army Air Corps and became a mainstay of fighter escort duty with American bomber missions into mainland Europe. Among the squadrons that flew P-51s was the famed "Tuskeegee Airmen" squadron. By the end of the War, almost 15,000 had been built, with many surviving to fight again during the Korean War.

Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay"
(1942)

One of the most famous (some would say infamous) individual bombers of World War II was the Boeing B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay". This huge bomber, the nose of which was part of a special display at the Museum, was the one that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. The first B-29 flew in September 1942, and by 1944 they were being stationed in India and the Pacific islands of Saipan and Tinian for bombing missions into Japan. The entire "Enola Gay" will be displayed at the Museum's new facility at Dulles Airport.

Continuing the theme of World War II aviation, our next stop will be the Sea-Air Operations gallery.

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Last Updated: January 1, 2003