USAAF Aircraft of the Pacific Trivia Quiz

Answer: P-40 Warhawk

The Curtiss P-40 was used in great numbers in World War II. When production ceased, in November 1944, 13,738 P-40s had been produced. P-40s were used by the air forces of 28 nations and remained operational throughout the war.

Warhawk was the name the United States Army Air Corps adopted for all models.

The P-40 was the main USAAF fighter in the Pacific during 1941-42. In the first major battles at Pearl Harbor, the Philippines and in the Dutch East Indies campaign, USAAF P-40 squadrons suffered crippling losses on the ground and air to Japanese fighters like the Ki-43 "Oscar" and the A6M Zero.

Answer: P-38 Lightning

The top aces flew the P38 and were highly successful with this plane against the Japanese fighters of the time.

The P-38 was used most extensively and successfully in the Pacific Theater of Operations and the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations, where it was flown by the American pilots with the highest number of aerial victories to this date. It was a primary fighter of United States Army Air Forces until the appearance of large numbers of P-51D Mustangs toward the end of the war.

Answer: P-39 Airacobra

The Bell P-39 Airacobra was one of the principal American fighter aircraft in service at the start of World War II. The propeller was driven through a drive shaft passing between the pilot's feet. The main purpose of this configuration was to free up space for the heavy main armament, a 37 mm T9 cannon firing through the center of the propeller hub for optimum accuracy and stability when firing. In fact, the entire design was made to accommodate this gun in the aircraft.

Answer: All of these

The P-51 was popular for all of these reasons.

The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range single-seat fighter aircraft that entered service with Allied air forces in the middle years of World War II. The P-51 became one of the conflict's most successful and recognizable aircraft.

Answer: True

Many of the versions of these planes employed 20mm and even 37mm cannon as well as machine guns.

Answer: In the nose

All guns were mounted in the nose of the P38.

Common armament was:
1 20 mm cannon
4 0.50 cal machine guns

Answer: B-25 Mitchell

The Doolittle Raid of 18 April 1942, was the first air raid by the USA to strike the Japanese home islands during World War II. The mission was notable since it was the only time in U.S. military history that United States Army Air Forces bombers were launched from a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier on a combat mission. The raid was planned and led by Lieutenant Colonel Jimmy Doolittle.

Answer: True

Although used primarily in Europe, the P-47 was used extensively in the Pacific as well.

The P-47 was not particularly maneuverable, though it became more agile, by comparison with most other fighters, at high altitudes. It did possess a good roll rate and climb/dive performance. Its success in combat depended on utilizing energy-conserving "dive-and-zoom" tactics.

Answer: Richard Bong

Richard "Dick" Ira Bong (September 24, 1920 - August 6, 1945) is the United States' highest-scoring air ace, having shot down 40 Japanese aircraft during World War II. Bong was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF), and was a recipient of the Medal of Honor.

Answer: P-61 Black Widow

The P-61 Black Widow was the most heavily armed fighter to see service in the pacific. It employed 4 20mm cannons and 4 .50 cal machine guns

For ground attack, two bombs of up to 1,600 lb each could be carried along with six 5 inch rockets under the wings.

It was originally designed for and most commonly used as a night fighter.