The Aircraft of World War 2

The Spitfire

The Spitfire was a very fast fighter plane with one engine and a propeller with 2 blades. It had two cannons and four fast firing machine guns. It could also drop bombs. It carried one pilot.

The Lancaster Bomber

The Lancaster Bomber was the most effective heavy bomber of WW2. It was well-liked by pilots, having four powerful and reliable engines. By the end of the war Lancasters were able to drop a 10 ton bomb on precision targets such as bridges, viaducts and battleships. It had a crew of seven (Pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Wireless Operator, Bomb Aimer, Mid-Upper and Rear Gunner).

The Messerschmitt

A lightweight fast fighter with one engine. It carried one pilot. Hitler thought that bombing was more important than dog fighting in the sky and manned the planes with bomber pilots rather than fighter pilots. This was not a good idea as they couldn’t escape the British fighters. It had 2 guns and cannons and it also carried two 500lb bombs but it was generally inefficient as a bomber.

The Junkers

The Junkers was a night time bomber plane. It had 3 machine guns and could drop bombs. It could hold a crew of three or four, the pilot, the gunner and the radio/radar operator.

These are the main planes used in World War II

Competition Time Image you were a reporter during World War II and you have been asked to produce a poster about one of the planes you have looked at. It is to raise the morale of the public and for them to know how good the plane is. Include a picture and relevant information about the plane to show how useful it was is the war. There will be a first, second and third prize for the posters. The Winner will be able to take their class on a conducted tour of the Ulster Aviation Society as part of their prize. Entries must be at Banbridge High School by 3.30 on Friday 19 th of June.