Top 10: WWII aircrafts with significant firepower

During the First World War, fighter planes were typically equipped with just a pair of light machine guns. By the Second World War, the firepower of combat aircraft had grown immensely. Heavily armed with large-calibre cannons, multiple heavy machine guns, and extensive ammunition stores, some aircraft became flying warships capable of striking at incredible speeds. Here are ten aircraft that exemplified this extreme firepower.

Messerschmitt Me 262

The Me 262 is famous as the first jet-powered fighter to engage in combat, but its deadly arsenal was just as important as its speed. Primarily designed to destroy bombers, it carried four 30-mm cannons that fired explosive rounds at a rapid rate. An even more formidable variant was equipped with a 50-mm Mauser MK 214A cannon in the nose, which could potentially destroy a B-17 or B-24 with just one to three hits. Operational issues and design choices prevented widespread deployment, but the aircraft's speed of 578 mph made it a formidable adversary.

YB-40 Flying Fortress

In 1942, the U.S. Eighth Air Force experimented with a heavily armed escort aircraft based on the B-17. The YB-40 was fitted with up to thirty defensive guns, mainly .50-calibre M2 Brownings, and occasionally 40-mm cannons. While the idea was innovative, the added weight and drag meant it could not keep pace with the bombers it was meant to protect, rendering the concept largely ineffective.

Northrop P-61 Black Widow

The P-61 Black Widow was the first night fighter built specifically for radar-guided interception. Its twin-boom design accommodated a dedicated radar operator and large firepower, including four 20-mm cannons in the belly and an electric dorsal turret with four heavy machine guns. With armament concentrated on the aircraft's centreline, the P-61 was accurate and devastating in its role.

B-25 Mitchell with 75-mm Gun

The B-25 was adapted to carry a 75-mm cannon for anti-shipping and strike missions. The gun, lighter than ground-based versions, was manually loaded and complemented by twelve to eighteen .50-calibre machine guns. This made the B-25 particularly effective against ships and smaller naval targets, with even single hits capable of causing major damage.

Mosquito 'Tsetse'

The British Mosquito Mk. XVII, nicknamed 'Tsetse,' mounted a 57-mm Molins autocannon capable of firing 55 rounds per minute. This replaced its standard four 20-mm cannon, retaining a few .303 machine guns for aiming. The aircraft excelled in anti-shipping roles, sinking multiple German U-boats using intelligence from decrypted Enigma messages.

De Havilland Beaufighter

The Beaufighter emerged as a heavy British fighter in 1940, armed with four 20-mm cannons and six machine guns. It could carry additional bombs or rockets, and its large wings allowed for heavy payloads. This versatility made it effective as a night fighter, strike aircraft, and torpedo bomber.

Junkers Ju 88

The Ju 88 was a multi-role German aircraft adapted to anti-tank operations. Various gun configurations were tested, including the massive 75-mm PAK 40 and 30-mm Mk 101 cannon. The Ju 88 P variant mounted these in a ventral pod, though these heavy configurations were produced in limited numbers and had mixed operational success.

Hawker Hurricane Mk.IID

The Hurricane was modified for ground attack with wing-mounted 40-mm Vickers S cannons, earning the nickname 'The Can Openers' for its ability to destroy tanks. Though effective, its water-cooled engine and low-level vulnerability led to significant losses. Later variants improved armour and incorporated rockets for enhanced firepower.

Yak-9T

The Soviet Yak-9T fighter was armed with a 37-mm Nudelman-Suranov NS-37 cannon, capable of penetrating 40 mm of armour from 500 metres. While primarily a fighter, it carried out numerous anti-tank missions, firing 30 rounds through the propeller hub. Attempts to mount a 45-mm cannon proved too heavy for the airframe.

Henschel Hs 129

The Hs 129 was Germanys dedicated close air support aircraft, designed for anti-armor operations. Its armoured cockpit protected pilots during low-level attacks, and it could carry a 20-mm cannon or the larger BK 7.5 cm Panzerabwehrkanone. Pilots, including Rudolf-Heinz Ruffer, used the Hs 129 effectively against tanks despite its slow speed and challenging handling.

Author: Sophia Brooks