World War II was the era of unrelenting innovation in the skies. All countries were on the cutting edge, testing out designs that were bold, unorthodox, and at times extreme. From rocket-powered fighters to flying wings, this period witnessed planes that defied pilots’ perceptions of what was possible. These are ten of the least common and most impressive warbirds of WWII, each with a tale of ingenuity, danger, and ambition.
10. Martin PBM-5A Mariner
The PBM-5A Mariner was America’s most versatile patrol bomber, frequently outclassing the better-known PBY Catalina. Produced by the Glenn L. Martin Company, it had a gull wing that protected its engines from seawater spray and retractable wing floats that reduced drag. Its bomb bay inside meant it could fly faster even when carrying explosives, and subsequent models came with jet-assisted take-off rockets—ideal for rescue attempts in rough seas. Crewed by nine and armed with several .50-caliber machine guns, the Mariner was a force to be reckoned with in the Battle of the Atlantic, sinking ten German U-boats. One remains today out of a thousand or so made.
9. Curtiss XP-55 Ascender
The XP-55 Ascender seemed to have stepped out of a science fiction drawing. The pilot sat in front of its engine, a canard wing ahead, and twin vertical fins on top of the wings. This “pusher” configuration was supposed to enhance forward visibility and focus firepower in the nose, but it was fraught with problems. Unstable stalls kept it from living up to its potential. Only three were ever built, two crashed, and the remaining example stands as a reminder of the risks engineers were willing to take.
8. Vought V-173 “Flying Pancake”
The V-173 gained its moniker due to its pancake-flat body and gargantuan propellers, each of which was over sixteen feet in diameter. Charley Zimmerman designed it, and it could take off in very short distances and even almost hover in headwinds. Its strange shape generated lift over the whole surface, making it helicopter-handy. Although it performed well in tests, the attention of the Navy had turned to quicker jets, and the Flying Pancake never went into production.
7. Focke-Wulf 190D “Long Nose
The Focke-Wulf 190D, also called the “Langnasen” by German airmen, was constructed to intercept high-flying bombers. Equipped with its liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine, its speed was increased to approximately 440 mph, making it a force to be reckoned with. With 20mm and 13mm cannons, it could fight against the best of them, yet wartime production difficulties prevented it from making any significant strategic impact. Very few of these aircraft remain in museums today.
6. Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (“Oscar”)
The Nakajima Ki-43, or “Peregrine Falcon,” was Japan’s most agile and pervasive fighter, with more than 5,900 made. Quick and agile, it caught Allied pilots by surprise at the outset of the war. The initial models had no armor and no self-sealing fuel tanks, but subsequent development remedied these flaws without sacrificing their mythical agility. Only one complete example remains today.
5. Mitsubishi A6M7 Reisen (Zero)
The Mitsubishi Zero was already famous for its speed and maneuverability, and the A6M7 model increased its capabilities. Solid wings enabled it to carry bombs for dive-bombing missions in place of the central fuel tank. This plane was one of the last Zeros to be flown as Japan’s war fortunes began to decline. Although more than ten thousand were produced, very few original planes still exist.
4. Horten Ho 229
The Horten Ho 229 was decades premature. A flying wing powered by jets, it had a streamlined body with sharp, angled edges that sliced both radar visibility and drag. Twin jet engines provided the capability to travel at speeds of up to 600 mph. Although first airbourned in 1944, the close of the war kept it from ever going into full production. Still, it is one of the most visionary designs of the era.
3. Messerschmitt Me 262
The Messerschmitt Me 262 was the first operational jet fighter in the world. At a speed of approximately 540 mph and with the heavy cannons mounted on the nose, it was able to attack bomber groups with devastating power. Its use was hindered by mechanical problems and a lack of fuel, but it left a significant impact on postwar design.
2. Heinkel He 178 and He 280
The Heinkel He 178 was the first jet aircraft in the world, flying in 1939. From that, the He 280 was the first specially designed turbojet fighter, flying at over 550 mph. Although it lost production to the Me 262, the jets initiated the jet age and opened up a whole new world of flight.
1. Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui / Ki-200
The Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui, a rocket-assisted interceptor based on the German Me 163 Komet, was able to zoom to enemy bombers in minutes. Its five-minute fuel supply required pilots to be quick. Lacking comprehensive technical instructions from Germany, Japanese engineers made up much of its construction. Unfortunately, its first flight prototype crashed, killing the pilot. The war ended before the aircraft could be developed further.
These warbirds embody the bold imagination and technological strides of WWII airpower. Some became foundation-building achievements, others blind alleys, but each one testifies to the stupendous ingenuity and vision that characterized the skies of that time.