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B-17 Flying Fortress (U.S)

The B-17 helped turn the tide of the war by delivering heavy blows to the Third Reich. Though maneuverable for a large aircraft, America’s standard heavy bomber was still an inviting target for fast German fighters like the Messerschmitt. The B-17 bomber was utilized effectively as a scout plane in the Pacific, assisting the U.S. Navy in the battle against the Japanese fleet.

SBD-6 Dauntless (U.S)

The SBD-6 Dauntless was such a reliable carrier-based dive-bomber that many pilots preferred it to the newer “Hellcat.” The Dauntless had an unparalleled record, having the lowest loss rate of any aircraft in World War II. It wasn’t the fastest plane in the American fleet, but it was a very steady aircraft. The Dauntless gave pilots a better opportunity to hit their targets on bombing runs.

P-51 Mustang (U.S)

Fast and agile, the P-51 Mustang also had great range and the ability to wreak havoc on the enemy. This sleek fighter served many purposes during World War II, including flying bomber escort on long-range missions over Germany. Before the Mustang arrived on the scene, U.S. bombers on daylight missions into the Fatherland were easy prey for Luftwaffe fighters on the prowl.

F4U Corsair (U.S)

The gull-wing Corsair was one of the fastest, most able American fighter planes in WWII. Boasting an Impressive combat ratio of 11:1 against enemy fighters, the Corsair is credited with over 2,000 aerial combat victories in the Pacific. It was also an effective weapon against ground forces. The Japanese named the Corsair “The Whistling Death” due to its unique sound when attacking.

Junkers Ju 87B Stuka (German)

This dive-bomber was aerodynamically constructed to hold steady while making precise bombing runs. The distinctive sound of an incoming Stuka struck terror into enemy ground troops. In its prime, the Stuka played a key role in the Luftwaffe’s campaign over Europe, but as the war progressed, advanced Allied aircraft could better counter the Stuka.

Messerschmitt Bf-109e (German)

The 109e boasted superb performance and handling. Early in the war, the Messerschmitt ruled the air in Europe. At the Battle of Britain, however, the limited range of the Bf 109e proved to be a crucial factor in Germany’s defeat. The plane’s inability to fly long-range bomber escort missions was a major handicap in the Luftwaffe’s air war with England.

Stay tuned for part 4 of the vehicles of Battlefield 1942, where we will look at the Allied based Seacraft.