WWII Aircraft Recognition Trivia Quiz

Answer: P-51D

The P-51D was possibly the best fighter of World War II. Its combination of range, maneuverability and firepower made it one of the truly excellent aircraft of World War II. Designed by North American to an RAF requirement, the first Mustangs where mediocre at best, but as soon as a license built Merlin engine was installed in the P-51B model the aircraft was exceptional. Variants of the P-51 saw service over Korea.

Answer: F4U

The F4U was one of the best American naval fighters of the war. The aircraft was very powerful both in power plant and armament and was the first American aircraft to meet and surpass the Japanese naval aircraft. Despite tricky handling, in the hands of a skilled pilot, the F4U was deadly. The F4U was also competent at ground attack, and in Korea it was used as a night attack aircraft.

Answer: He-177

The He-177 originated from a flawed requirement for a heavy bomber with dive bombing capabilities. The bomber was extremely problematic because of its unusual coupled engines. These often caught on fire in mid flight. This was the only German "heavy" bomber to see service in World War II.

Answer: Beaufighter

The Beaufighter was designed by Bristol and was based on of the Beaufort airframe. The aircraft originally was a night fighter but was later it was used as an attack aircraft. The Beaufighter was heavy and slow by contemporary twin engined fighter standards. The Japanese called it "whispering death".

Answer: D3A

The D3A was a dive bomber that was one of the main attack aircraft at Pearl Harbor. The aircraft was somewhat outdated by the time it entered service as a result of its weak-engined and fixed landing gear arrangement. The aircraft was also used as a kamikaze attack aircraft at the end of the war.

Answer: SB2C

The SB2C was the replacement for the SBD Dauntless. The SB2C was a large aircraft and used a bomb bay. The aircraft was extremely tricky to handle and never really gained popularity in the USN. However, it was an extremely advanced aircraft.

Answer: Pe-2

The Pe-2 was a Soviet dive bomber. This was the most important medium bomber type of the Soviet air force during the war. The aircraft was extremely versatile and was roughly equivalent of the Ju-88. The Pe-2's designer Vladimir Petlyakov designed the bomber while in prison.

Answer: Re. 2001

The Re.2001 was one of the best Italian fighters to see service at the beginning of the war. The Re.2001 attacked the HMS Victorious with a 1,410 pound fragmentation bomb. The aircraft was very maneuverable but was too complicated. Rising costs of the aircraft forced it too be phased out of service.

Answer: Fw-189

The Fw-189 was a German recon aircraft that was used successfully on the Russian Front. Although known as the "Frame" because of its fragile looking twin boom design, the Fw-189 was an extremely tough aircraft. When caught by fighters, the Fw-189 was able to out-turn the fighter opposition.

Answer: Hampden

The Hampden was a very narrow medium bomber that served with the RAF. Although it was unfit for day bombing, it was used (with mediocre effect) in night bombing missions. Almost half of the production bombers where destroyed in combat and they were withdrawn in 1943.