american aviation in ww2

connections

• america was currently going through the industrial revolution
• technology drove Americas success
• innovations including railroads and planes were essential

the p-12 biplane

• developed by boeing in the late 20's
• fitted with guns and for landing on carriers
• handling was good but speed was horrible
• mass produced until 1932
• saw no major combat

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grumman f3f

• last biplane to be delivered to the navy
• pilots had problems with stability and with low to ground targets
• large fuselage made it an easy target
• designed and flown in 1935 as a fighter
• size allowed for more external armaments

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curtiss soc seagull

• able to land on water
• scout and training aircraft
• on almost all american warships by 1940

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monoplanes in the american airforce before and during ww2

why?

• needed  speed
• needed longer range
• needed more armor

the p-26 peashooter

• similar to a racer 
• first full metal fighter
• outclassed the p-12
• removed from service in 1955
• was used primarily as a patrol fighter

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pby catalina

• land on water and on land
• refueled and repaired by ships
• long range with heavy bomb loads
• limited by speed

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p-47

• large, rugged fighter/bomber
• one of the first to have a rubber coated fuel tank
• heaviest single engine fighter in history
• reputation for ease of flight
• developed in 1942 by republican aviation

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t-6 texan

• training airplane
• two seats (for training purposes)
• world famous even today 
• still frequently flying today!
• several models for different training

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b-29 superfortress

• largest and most famous bomber of the war
• computer controlled turrets
• fast, and long range
• heavy bomb load (8,000 kg)
• ww.youtube.com/watch?v=nskFayhBcy0

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p-51 mustang

• regarded as the best fighter in ww2
• the first long range escort fighter-bomber
• able to outmaneuver every German plane
• would be able to escort bombers while destoying ground targets

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what we saw after ww2 ended

helicopters

• bell model 47 was being tested
• given enough attention, so many companies began work
• many thought it would be impractical

hybrids and jets

• high speed 
• able to carry heavy loads
• limited by consumption of fuel

why does this all matter?

without the advances of aviation in ww2, we wouldn't have half the planes we have nowadays, for combat or transportation.

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