WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT - INFO

 

WORLD WAR II AIRCRAFT

WHEN WORLD WAR II began in 1999, air forces had already replaced most of their fabric skinned biplanes with all metal, stressed-skin monoplanes Aireraft played a far greater role in military operations during World War II than ever before, The wide range of sireraft duties, and the introduction of radar tracking and guidance systems, put pressure on designers to improve aircraft performance. The main areas of improvement were speed, range, and engine power. Bombers became larger and more powerful - converting from two to four engines in order to carry a heavier bomb load: the US B 17 Flying Fortress could carry up to 6,2 tonnes (6,1 tons) of bombs ver a distance of about 3,200 km 2.000 miles), Some aircraft increased their range by using drop tanks (fuel tanks that were jettisoned when empty to reduce drag). Fighters needed speed and manoeuvrability: the Hawker Tempest shown here had a maximum speed of 700 kph (36 mph), and was one of the few Allied aircraft capable of catching the German jet powered V 1 flying bomb" By 1944, Britain had introduced its first turbojet powered sircraft, the Gloster Meteor fighter, and Germany had introduced the fastest fighter in the world, the turbojet powered Me 262, which had a maximum speed of 868 kph (540 mph)