One of America's best known biplanes, the Stearman Kaydet was built in greater quantities than any other known American or European biplane. The prototype Stearman was tested by both the Army and the Navy as early as 1934, and by the time the last production model was completed in February 1945, more than 10,000 had been built.
Sleek and elegant, the North American P-51D Mustang was truly a fighter pilot's dream. It is perhaps the best known fighter aircraft of all time. Designed by Edgar Schmued in record time at the request of the British in 1940, the Mustang possessed a deadly combination of speed, endurance, maneuverability and firepower.
The Messerschmitt Bf 109 was one of the great fighter aircraft of the Second World War and arguably the most famous German aircraft ever built. In addition to the German Air Force, the Bf 109 also served in the air forces of Spain, Czechoslovakia, and Israel, with some still flying as late as 1967. It is estimated that approximately 35,000 were constructed over the life of the aircraft.
In its time, the Spitfire was possibly the best known fighter aircraft in the world. Together with the Hawker Hurricane, it flew into history in 1940 during the Battle of Britain. Its existence is owed to Supermarine's experience in designing and building Schneider Trophy racing seaplanes in the late 1920s, a highly successful collaboration with Rolls-Royce, and its talented designer, Reginald Mitchell.
Nicknamed the "Bent Wing Widow Maker" by pilots who wrestled her onto the decks of the World War II carriers, and "Whistling Death" by our enemies who heard the distinctive shriek created by the wing root vanes as she dove inbound on the attack, the Corsair proved extremely formidable as a weapon of war. In fact, most aeronautical historians would argue the F4U was the finest prop-driven fighter plane ever to see action.
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