Aerial dominance has been a crucial factor in military engagements since World War II. While having the largest air force doesn’t always ensure dominance, there is a clear advantage in surpassing the enemy in numbers, particularly when a military demonstrates consistent production of a higher quantity of aircraft. Here, we are looking at some of the most manufactured military planes of all time and the roles these aircraft have played over the years.
To identify the most produced military planes of all time, 24/7 Wall St. analyzed all-time aircraft production totals from Military Factory, which is an online repository of military vehicles, aircraft, and arms. Military aircraft that had more than 12,000 units produced are ranked based on their production runs, with additional details including the country of origin, year entered service, crew size, maximum speed, roles, and notable military service.
One of the Soviet Union’s most extensively produced aircraft was the Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik. The IL-2 earned the nickname “Flying Tank” due to its blend of armor protection, performance, and firepower. With over 36,000 units manufactured during WWII, the IL-2 played a pivotal role in Eastern Front combat, providing crucial air support and ground assault capabilities.
On the American front, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator stands out with over 18,000 units produced during World War II. Its roles included anti-submarine warfare, reconnaissance and surveillance.
Another iconic military aircraft of World War II, the North American P-51 Mustang, is among the most widely produced, with over 15,000 units manufactured. Initially serving as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 later transformed into a fighter-bomber. The aircraft remains legendary to this day.
A significant portion of the military planes featured on this list were produced for use in WWII. While planes played a role in World War I, technological advancements during World War II significantly enhanced their capabilities, leading countries to depend heavily on aircraft for bombing raids, surveillance, and transport. The planes listed here have played crucial roles in conflicts over the years, shaping the evolution of aerial combat and serving as inspiration for subsequent generations of military aircraft.
While newer generations of aircraft may not match the production numbers of their predecessors, their advanced capabilities argue for their outsized impact.
Here are the most widely produced military planes of all time:
26. Grumman F6F Hellcat
Source: rancho_runner / iStock via Getty Images
- Number produced: 12,272
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1943
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 380 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, Maritime / Navy
25. Vought F4U Corsair
- Number produced: 12,571
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 446 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, Maritime / Navy, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
24. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
Source: GNeesam / iStock via Getty Images
- Number produced: 12,731
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1937
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 10
- Max speed: 287 mph
- Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, airborne early warning, anti-ship, electronic warfare, search & rescue, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
23. Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota)
- Number produced: 12,748
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 3
- Max speed: 230 mph
- Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, MEDEVAC, transport, VIP service
22. AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number produced: 13,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 2003
- Notably used doing: War in Afghanistan
- Crew size: 0
- Max speed: 35 mph
- Roles: Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, special forces, unmanned capability
21. Hawker Hurricane
Source: dynasoar / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Number produced: 14,583
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Year entered service: 1937
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 318 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter
20. Boeing 737
Source: Lukas Wunderlich / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Number produced: 14,725
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1968
- Notably used doing: Global War on Terrorism
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 544 mph
- Roles: Military transport, commercial aviation
19. WACO Hadrian (CG-4)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number produced: 14,972
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 149 mph
- Roles: Military transport
18. Junkers Ju 88
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
- Number produced: 15,183
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1939
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 4
- Max speed: 317 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air support, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, anti-ship, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
17. North American T-6 Texan
- Number produced: 15,495
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1936
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 209 mph
- Roles: Close-air support, training
16. North American P-51 Mustang
Source: my_public_domain_photos / Flickr
- Number produced: 15,586
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 437 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
15. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
Source: US Air Force / Public domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number produced: 15,660
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1942
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 433 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing, training, close-air support
14. Douglas DC-3
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
- Number produced: 16,079
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1936
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 2 + 3
- Max speed: 237 mph
- Roles: Military transport, commercial aviation
13. Yakovlev Yak-9 (Frank)
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr/https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/
- Number produced: 16,769
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1943
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 434 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
- Number produced: 16,800
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1941
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 378 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
11. Beechcraft Bonanza
- Number produced: 17,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1947
- Notably used doing: Vietnam War
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 203 mph
- Roles: Transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, training
10. Antonov An-2 (Colt)
Source: Fotokot197 / iStock via Getty Images
- Number produced: 18,000
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1947
- Notably used doing: Korean War
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 160 mph
- Roles: Close-air support, Maritime / Navy, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
9. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-15 (Fagot)
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr/https://www.flickr.com/commons/usage/
- Number produced: 18,000
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1949
- Notably used doing: Korean War
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 668 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, ground attack (bombing, strafing), training
8. Consolidated B-24 Liberator
Source: Angel Di Bilio / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Number produced: 18,482
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1941
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 7 to 10
- Max speed: 290 mph
- Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), anti-submarine warfare, transport, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
7. Focke-Wulf Fw 190 (Wurger)
- Number produced: 20,000
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1941
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 426 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing, training
6. Supermarine Spitfire
Source: Peter King / iStock via Getty Images
- Number produced: 20,351
- Country of origin: United Kingdom
- Year entered service: 1938
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 369 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
5. Cessna 182 (Skylane)
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
- Number produced: 23,240
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1956
- Notably used doing: Vietnam War
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 174 mph
- Roles: Close-air support, MEDEVAC, search & rescue, commercial aviation, training
4. Messerschmitt Bf 109
Source: SteveStone / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
- Number produced: 35,500
- Country of origin: Nazi Germany
- Year entered service: 1937
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 359 mph
- Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
3. Ilyushin IL-2 Shturmovik (Bark)
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
- Number produced: 36,183
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1941
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 258 mph
- Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support
2. Polikarpov Po-2 (Mule)
- Number produced: 40,200
- Country of origin: Soviet Union
- Year entered service: 1929
- Notably used doing: World War II
- Crew size: 2
- Max speed: 94 mph
- Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, MEDEVAC, search & rescue, Maritime / Navy, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
1. Cessna 172 (Skyhawk)
Source: lilly3 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
- Number produced: 44,000
- Country of origin: United States
- Year entered service: 1956
- Notably used doing: Vietnam War
- Crew size: 1
- Max speed: 186 mph
- Roles: MEDEVAC, search & rescue, Maritime / Navy, transport, commercial aviation, VIP service, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
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