Fascinating World War 2 Fighters from Unexpected Countries

While the most famous fighter planes of World War II came from major powers like the United States and Germany, smaller nations also produced their own combat aircraft, often out of necessity due to dwindling international supplies. Some of these lesser-known fighters demonstrated surprising effectiveness on the battlefield. Here are ten notable examples from nations ranging from Australia to Yugoslavia, all of which saw operational use.

10: CAC Boomerang

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Australia faced the threat of Japanese forces and recognized the risk of delayed or halted aircraft deliveries from the UK and US. Lawrence Wackett of the Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation proposed building a domestic fighter. The design was based on the Wirraway trainer and powered by the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine. The prototype flew in May 1942 and was praised for its agility.

Although slow compared to contemporary fighters, the Boomerang entered service in early 1943. It struggled to intercept Japanese bombers but excelled in ground support missions, offering strong maneuverability, armament, and armor ideal for the South West Pacific campaigns.

9: Avia B.534

Czechoslovakias B.534, one of the finest combat biplanes ever built, debuted in 1933. It saw widespread use even after Germany annexed Czechoslovakia in 1939. Variants included enhanced armament like a 20mm cannon, and later versions added bubble canopies for better visibility. B.534s were deployed by Slovakia, Bulgaria, Greece, and Yugoslavia, achieving victories against Soviet aircraft and participating in the Slovak National Uprising of 1944. Germany used captured B.534s mainly for training and experimental purposes.

8: VL Myrsky

Finland developed the Myrsky (Storm) in 1939 to counter the potential scarcity of foreign aircraft. The fighter shared the Pratt & Whitney R-1830 engine with the Australian Boomerang but was primarily built from wood, making it faster. First flown in December 1941, 51 aircraft were produced. The Myrsky proved effective in the Continuation War against the USSR, though poor-quality construction materials sometimes caused structural failures in harsh weather. Despite this, it remained in service until 1948.

7: Fokker D.XXI

The Dutch-designed D.XXI was a robust, low-wing monoplane with a fixed undercarriage. Intended for the Netherlands East Indies, it mostly saw combat in Europe, particularly with Finland during the Winter War. Finnish D.XXIs achieved 130 victories for 12 losses and remained in service through the Continuation War. Dutch units used the agile aircraft effectively against German Bf 109s, scoring 16 confirmed kills in the 1940 invasion.

6: Fokker G.1

The twin-boom G.1 heavy fighter was a private venture that later influenced the Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Nicknamed the Reaper, it featured eight forward-firing machine guns. Of 36 aircraft ordered, 23 survived the German invasion of 1940. They were mainly used for ground attack, achieving 14 air-to-air victories. The Germans later used remaining aircraft as trainers, while two managed to escape to England in 1941.

5: PZL P.24

Polands PZL P.24 was a gull-winged monoplane fighter first flown in 1934. Though Poland did not use it in combat, the P.24 was exported to Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, and Turkey. Greek P.24s played a key role against Italian forces in 1940, destroying 64 enemy aircraft for the loss of 24. Romanian P.24s defended key oilfields and cities against Soviet bombers. Romania later developed the IAR 80, combining P.24 elements with modern design improvements, which saw combat from 1941 and continued service until 1949.

4: FFVS J 22

Sweden created the J 22 in response to a US arms embargo. Built by the Royal Air Administration Aircraft Factory, the lightweight fighter used the R-1830 engine and showcased excellent performance for its power. The J 22 could compete with a P-51D in mock dogfights and remained in Swedish frontline service until 1952, with 198 units produced. A single aircraft was later painted red to celebrate the Swedish Air Forces 25th anniversary.

3: Saab J 21

The unusual pusher design of the SAAB 21 concentrated firepower in the nose and allowed the inclusion of one of the first ejection seats. Introduced in the mid-1940s, 298 units were built. Initially intended for air superiority, the J 21 excelled as a fighter-bomber, benefiting from excellent forward visibility and heavy armament. A jet-powered variant, the J 21R, became Swedens first operational jet in 1950.

2: Rogoarski IK-3

During the German invasion of Yugoslavia, the domestically produced IK-3 stood out among mostly foreign aircraft. Featuring a retractable undercarriage and improved maneuverability, it resembled the French MS 406 but outperformed the German Bf 109 in agility. Only 12 were completed before engine deliveries ceased. In eleven days of combat, IK-3s claimed 11 enemy planes, with two surviving aircraft later captured by the Germans. The design later influenced the Ikarus S-49, in service until 1961.

Author: Caleb Jennings