Second World War

Aircraft profiles from the second world war era of the Royal Air Force.

16 Aircraft Profiles
Featured Second World War Aircraft

Douglas Dakota

Douglas Aircraft Company

Transport & Support Aircraft

The Douglas Dakota became one of the RAF’s most important transport aircraft of the Second World War, supporting airborne operations, logistics and post-war air mobility across several theatres.

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Entered service 1942
Retired 1970
Max speed 224 mph (360 km/h)
Ceiling 24,000 ft (7,315 m)
Range 1,600 miles (2,575 km)

Second World War · 16 aircraft

Formation & Interwar

Avro Anson

A. V. Roe and Company
Maritime Aircraft 1936–1968
Second World War

Avro Lancaster

A. V. Roe and Company
Bomber Aircraft 1942–1956
Second World War

Avro Manchester

A. V. Roe and Company
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1942
Second World War

Bristol Beaufighter

Bristol Aeroplane Company
Fighter Aircraft 1940–1946
Second World War

Bristol Blenheim

Bristol Aeroplane Company
Bomber Aircraft 1937–1944
Second World War

de Havilland Mosquito

de Havilland
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1941–1963
Second World War

Douglas Dakota

Douglas Aircraft Company
Transport & Support Aircraft 1942–1970
Second World War

Handley Page Halifax

Handley Page
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1952
Second World War

Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Aircraft Ltd
Fighter Aircraft 1937–1947
Second World War

Hawker Tempest

Hawker Aircraft
Fighter Aircraft 1944–1953
Second World War

Hawker Typhoon

Hawker Aircraft
Fighter Aircraft 1941–1945
Second World War

Short Stirling

Short Brothers
Bomber Aircraft 1940–1946
Second World War

Short Sunderland

Short Brothers
Maritime Aircraft 1938–1959
Second World War

Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Aviation Works (Vickers) Ltd
Fighter Aircraft 1938–1954
Second World War

Vickers Wellington

Vickers-Armstrongs (Aircraft) Ltd
Bomber Aircraft 1938–1945
Second World War

Westland Lysander

Westland Aircraft Ltd
Reconnaissance & Special Duties 1938–1946