American industry produced nearly two-thirds of all Allied military equipment used during the Second World War, including 297,000 aircraft. These aircraft played a significant role in helping to turn the tide in favor of the Allies.
The United States, driven by innovation and necessity, developed some of the fastest airplanes of the time. These airplanes bolstered the Allies’ military capabilities and played a transformative role in both air defense and offense during World War II. (These are the WWII bombings that involved the most planes.)
To determine the 20 fastest U.S. military planes from WWII, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed WW2 Aircraft Ranked-by-Speed, a list compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. Military aircraft were ranked based on their top speed. Only military planes that had production runs of more than 30 were considered, while prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about the year entered service, crew size, and roles also came from Military Factory.
The North American P-51 Mustang was renowned for its speed and maneuverability. Performing the role of both a fighter and bomber escort, it became iconic over the course of the war. It had a maximum speed of 437 miles per hour and a range of over 950 miles.
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning also makes this list as one of the fastest in the U.S. military arsenal. The P-38 had a top speed of 414 miles per hour and a range of over 2,200 miles. The Lightning demonstrated its effectiveness in varied roles such as interceptor, fighter-bomber, recon, and night fighter, solidifying its status in WWII aviation history.
Notably, most of the planes that make this list played roles in air-to-air combat and had small operating crews. Also, planes more towards the top of this list tended to have higher production runs. (These are the most-produced aircraft by any nation during WWII.)
By pushing the boundaries of aviation technology, these aircraft contributed to the eventual victory of the Allied Powers, leaving a mark on the history of military aviation.
Here’s a look at the 20 fastest US military planes of World War 2.
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
20. Lockheed C-69 Constellation (Model L-049)
> Top speed: 346 mph
> Year entered service: 1945
> Production run: 856
> Crew: 4
> Roles: Transport
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Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
19. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk
> Top speed: 351 mph
> Year entered service: 1941
> Production run: 1,180
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing)
24/7 Wall St.
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
18. Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader
> Top speed: 355 mph
> Year entered service: 1944
> Production run: 2,452
> Crew: 3
> Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
17. Republic P-43 Lancer
> Top speed: 357 mph
> Year entered service: 1941
> Production run: 272
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
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Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
16. Consolidated B-32 Dominator
> Top speed: 357 mph
> Year entered service: 1945
> Production run: 118
> Crew: 10
> Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), training
Source: icholakov / iStock via Getty Images
15. Boeing B-29 Superfortress
> Top speed: 358 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 3,970
> Crew: 10
> Roles: Ground attack (bombing, strafing), search & rescue, aerial refueling, transport, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
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Source: Courtesy of the Official United States Air Force Website, released into the Public Domain
14. North American A-36 Mustang
> Top speed: 365 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 500
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
13. Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow
> Top speed: 366 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 742
> Crew: 3
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
> Top speed: 378 mph
> Year entered service: 1941
> Production run: 16,800
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
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Source: rancho_runner / iStock via Getty Images
11. Grumman F6F Hellcat
> Top speed: 380 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 12,272
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Ait-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
10. Bell P-39 Airacobra
> Top speed: 386 mph
> Year entered service: 1941
> Production run: 9,588
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support
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Source: richard neville / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Bell P-63 Kingcobra
> Top speed: 410 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 3,303
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support
24/7 Wall St.
Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
8. Lockheed P-38 Lightning
> Top speed: 414 mph
> Year entered service: 1939
> Production run: 9,923
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
7. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair
> Top speed: 416 mph
> Year entered service: 1943
> Production run: 600
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
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6. Grumman F8F Bearcat
> Top speed: 421 mph
> Year entered service: 1945
> Production run: 1,266
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, maritime
Source: US Air Force, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
5. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
> Top speed: 433 mph
> Year entered service: 1942
> Production run: 15,660
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support
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Source: sdasmarchives / Flickr
4. North American P-51 Mustang
> Top speed: 437 mph
> Year entered service: 1942
> Production run: 15,586
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training
24/7 Wall St.
Source: 37467370@N08 / Flickr
3. Northrop F-15 Reporter
> Top speed: 441 mph
> Year entered service: 1945
> Production run: 36
> Crew: 2
> Roles: Intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
2. Vought F4U Corsair
> Top speed: 446 mph
> Year entered service: 1942
> Production run: 12,571
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, interception, ground attack (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1. Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
> Top speed: 577 mph
> Year entered service: 1945
> Production run: 1,715
> Crew: 1
> Roles: Air-to-air combat fighter, close-air support
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