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The P-38 Lightning was the first American fighter to be designed as a long-range high-altitude interceptor, but due to technical problems, failed to achieve its full potential in its intended role, and was quickly replaced by the P-51 Mustang.  The Lightning did perform well in tactical fighter-bomber roles however, thanks to its long range, heavy armament, and its ability to carry a heavy bomb load.  Despite its size, the P-38 could maneuver with the best of the German fighters at low altitude, and was often referred to as the "Fork-Tailed Devil" by German pilots.
Often referred to as the "Jug" by its pilots, the P-47 was designed around the new Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp 2,000 hp radial engine, the most powerful engine available at the time.  Equipped with a turbo-supercharger, allowing full power even at an altitude of 30,000 ft, the Thunderbolt could out-perform any German fighter at high-altitudes.  It also served well as a low-altitude fighter-bomber due to its heavy firepower and its ability to sustain heavy damage.  
Considered to be the best fighter of the war by many, the Mustang originated as an under-powered low-altitude attack aircraft with an Allison engine meant for export.  However, when mated with a Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 engine, the Mustang was transformed from a modest low-level fighter-bomber to an excellent high-altitude escort fighter.  With a pair of drop tanks, the Mustang could escort bombers from England to anywhere in Germany.  Entering service in early 1944, Mustangs became a vital lifeline for the American bomber crews and held that position throughout the remainder of the war.
The Boeing B-17 "Queen of the Skies", the most celebrated four-engine bomber of the war, was the US 8th Air Force's principle weapon in the air war against Germany.  Bristling with machine-guns, it was the most heavily armed bomber in the European theater.  It was a tough plane to bring down, and was able to return its crew back home, even with major components missing. 
At the end of the war, the B-24 Liberator was the most plentiful bomber in the US 8th Air Force inventory.  B-24's could carry bigger loads, had longer range, and could fly faster than B-17's.  It was, however, a difficult plane to fly, especially at high altitudes with a heavy bomb load, and was not able to take the amount of punishment that the B-17 could.
Fast and heavily armed, the B-26 Marauder was the first American-manned combat aircraft to see action in Europe.  Initially dubbed "the widow maker" due to a high number of accidents during training, it turned out to be one of the USAAF's most effective weapons of war, with the lowest loss-per-sortie ratio of all the twin-engine bombers.
Entering service in 1937, the Hurricane was the first monoplane fighter of the Royal Air Force.  It was also the first to be armed with 8 machine-guns, and the first to exceed 300 mph in level flight.  It is best remembered for its actions in the "Battle of Britain", where it shot down more enemy aircraft than any other fighter involved.  Although it was outclassed by its opponents in a straight dogfight, it remained in RAF service in various roles throughout the war.
The Spitfire, most often remembered for its role in the "Battle of Britain", entered the British service during the dark and early days of WWII.  With its elegant line, remarkable performance, and by its very name, it was the symbol of the nation's defense.  It had superb maneuverability, excellent handling quality, and was described by the pilots who flew it as "aeroplane par excellence, airplane of one's dreams."  The Spitfire was originally designed as a lightweight, short-range defensive interceptor, yet remained as the RAF's main front-line fighter throughout the war.
The Typhoon's original design called for an interceptor, based around Napier Sabre 2,000 hp engine.  Plagued with technical problems and structural weaknesses at high-speeds however, it failed to fulfill its intended role.  Instead, when used as a fighter-bomber, the Typhoon quickly proved to be formidable at low altitudes; armed with rockets and four 20mm cannons, the Typhoon was soon considered to be one of the best fighter-bombers of the war.
The Tempest was a development of the Typhoon, using an improved engine and a redesigned wing.  Fast and maneuverable, the Tempest proved to be an exceptional interceptor, a role in which it was widely used in the pursuit of the V-1 flying bombs and the Me.262 jet aircraft.  Armed with four 20mm cannons, it also served as an excellent fighter-bomber. 
The Mosquito was perhaps the most versatile combat aircraft produced during the war.  The "all-wooden" twin-engine aircraft were produced in several variants, including light-bomber, reconnaissance, heavy fighter, and night-fighter, and proved effective in each of these roles.  
The Messerschmitt Bf.109, which served as the Luftwaffe's standard single-seat fighter from 1936 to the war's end, was the one of the greatest combat aircraft of the Second World War.  First appearing in 1935, it was the forerunner of all fighters that followed, completely outclassing every opponent it encountered.  The Bf.109 was not an easy plane to fly however, due to its weak landing gear and high wing loading.  With a great capacity for progressive development, its engine power, firepower and armor continued to increase through various models.  Later models were considerably heavier and less maneuverable than the earlier model, but were still renowned as very capable fighter planes.
The Messerschmitt Bf.110 Zerstorer (Destroyer) was designed as a strategic long-range fighter - a heavy fighter capable of escorting bombers to their target and back.  However, it was soon found to be ineffective at its intended role; it was too heavy and not maneuverable enough to compete with the single-engine fighters in combat.  The Bf.110 came to its own as a Pulk-Zerstorer (Formation-Destroyer) when employed against the large American day-bomber formations. 
The Me.410 Hornisse was designed as a more versatile successor to the Bf.110.  Production priority was initially given to the faster bomber variant, but as the pressure from Allied raids increased, priority was shifted to the Zerstorer heavy fighter variant.  The Me.410 suffered heavily from ever increasing escort fighters however, and it was eventually withdrawn from its heavy fighter role in combat in late 1944.
The Focke-Wulf Fw.190, designed by Kurt Tank, is considered Germany's best fighter of the war.  When the first version entered service in 1941, it showed marked superiority to its opponents in almost every aspect - it could out-run, out-turn, and out-climb anything it encountered.  However, the later models (such as the A-8, modeled in the game) were primarily aimed at bomber intercept roles, carried more firepower and armor, and were considerably heavier and less maneuverable.  Armed with four 20mm cannons and two machine-guns, the Fw.190's were the Allied bombers' most dreaded enemy.
The Messerschmitt Me.262 was the world's first truly effective jet fighter to reach operational status.  Me.262's enjoyed over 100 mph speed advantage over the fastest prop-driven aircraft, allowing them to sail past the escort fighters and attack the bombers with impunity.  The main battery of four 30mm cannons was devastating to any bombers caught in its sight.  However, they were slow to accelerate and were not very maneuverable, and the Allied pilots soon learned to attack them when they were most vulnerable - during take-offs and landings.
The Junkers Ju.88, originally designed as a fast medium bomber, was the most versatile of the Luftwaffe aircraft; it was used as a reconnaissance plane, a dive-bomber, a close support plane, a torpedo bomber, a heavy fighter, and a night fighter.  The Ju.88 came to be known as the most important bomber in the Luftwaffe arsenal.
The Junkers Ju.87 Stuka achieved its fame during the first year of the war, when the Luftwaffe used it for deadly effect during the Blitzkrieg.  They were vulnerable to the enemy fighters due to their slow speed and lack of maneuverability, and suffered heavy losses during the "Battle of Britain" at the hands of the RAF fighters.
The twin-engine Heinkel He.111, which started out as a fast commercial transport, was the backbone of the Luftwaffe bomber units at the outbreak of the war.  Despite its light defensive armament, the He.111 continued to serve on all fronts for the entire war, with one variant even modified to launch the V-1 from the air.
The Vergeltungswaffe 1 (Revenge Weapon No 1) flying bomb was the Luftwaffe's only means of mounting attacks against strategic targets in England after the demise of its conventional bomber arm.  The V-1 was inaccurate and ineffective against small military targets, but when used indiscriminately against London, it was the cause of considerable damage and large amounts of civilian causalities.
Wingspan :
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Armaments :
Lockheed P-38H Lightning
52 ft 0 in
37 ft 10 in
12 ft 10 in
328 sq. ft
2 x Allison V-1710-89/91 rated at 1,600 hp
300 gal internal
16,300 lb.
50 lb./sq. ft
402 mph
39,000 ft
3,500 ft/min
275 miles
1 x 20mm Hispano cannon, 4 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns
Lockheed P-38J Lightning
52 ft 0 in
37 ft 10 in
12 ft 10 in
328 sq. ft
2 x Allison V-1710-89/91 rated at 1,600 hp
410 gal internal
17,500 lb.
53 lb./sq. ft
414 mph
44,000 ft
3,800 ft/min
350 miles
1 x 20mm Hispano cannon, 4 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns
Republic P-47C Thunderbolt
40 ft 9 in
36 ft 1 in
14 ft 2 in
300 sq. ft
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-63 Double Wasp rated at 2,300 hp
305 gal. internal
13,500 lb.
45 lb./sq. ft
419 mph
41,000 ft
2,800 ft/min
275 miles
8 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns
Republic P-47D Thunderbolt
40 ft 9 in
36 ft 1 in
14 ft 2 in
300 sq. ft
Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 Double Wasp rated at 2,600 hp
370 gal. internal
14,500 lb.
49 lb./sq. ft
436 mph
40,000 ft
3,200 ft/min
315 miles
8 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns 
North American P-51B Mustang
37 ft 0 in
32 ft 3 in
13 ft 8 in
233 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce/Packard Merlin V-1650-3 rated at 1,600 hp
270 gal. internal
9,690 lb.
41 lb./sq. ft
439 mph
42,000 ft
3,500 ft/min
450 miles 
4 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns
North American P-51D Mustang
37 ft 0 in
32 ft 3 in
13 ft 8 in
233 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce/Packard Merlin V-1650-7 rated at 1,720 hp
270 gal. internal
10,100 lb.
43 lb./sq. ft
437 mph
41,900 ft
3,500 ft/min
450 miles
6 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns 
Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress
103 ft 9 in
74 ft 9 in
19 ft 1 in
????
4 x Wright R-1820-97 Cyclone rated 1,200 hp
????
65,500 lb.
????
287 mph
37,500 ft
????
1,000 miles
6,000 lb. of bombs, 12 x .50 cal. machine-guns
Consolidated B-24D Liberator
110 ft 0 in
66 ft 4 in
17 ft 11 in
????
4 x Pratt & Whitney R-1830-43 Twin Wasp rated 1,200 hp 
????
60,000 lb.
????
303 mph
32,000 ft
????
1,000 miles
8,000 lb. of bombs, 11 x .50 cal. machine-guns
Martin B-26B Marauder
65 ft 0 in
58 ft 3 in
19 ft 10 in
????
2 x Pratt & Whitney R-2800-41 Double Wasp rated 2,000 hp 
????
34,000 lb.
????
317 mph
23,500 ft
????
575 miles
3,000 lb. of bombs, 7 x .50 cal. machine-guns
Hawker Hurricane I
49 ft 0 in
31 ft 5 in
13 ft 2 in
258 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce Merlin III rated at 1,030 hp
110 gal. internal
6,600 lb.
26 lb./sq. ft
316 mph
33,200 ft
2,300 ft/min
140 miles
8 x .303 cal. Browning machine-guns
Supermarine Spitfire IA
36 ft 10 in
29 ft 11 in
11 ft 5 in
242 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce Merlin II rated at 1,030 hp
102 gal. internal
5,784 lb.
24 lb./sq. ft
355 mph
34,000 ft
2,500 ft/min
190 miles
8 x .303 cal. Browning machine-guns
Supermarine Spitfire IXC
36 ft 10 in
30 ft 6 in
12 ft 7 in
242 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce Merlin 61 rated at 1,565 hp
102 gal. internal
7,500 lb.
31 lb./sq. ft
408 mph
44,000 ft
4,150 ft/min
145 miles
2 x 20mm Hispano cannons, 4 x .303 cal. Browning machine-guns
Supermarine Spitfire XIVE
36 ft 10 in
32 ft 8 in
12 ft 8 in
242 sq. ft
Rolls-Royce Griffon 65 rated at 2,050 hp
138 gal. internal
8,500 lb.
35 lb./sq. ft
448 mph
44,500 ft
4,580 ft/min
150 miles
2 x 20mm Hispano cannons, 2 x .50 cal. Browning machine-guns
Hawker Typhoon IB
41 ft 7 in
31 ft 11 in
14 ft 10 in
278 sq. ft
Napier Sabre IIA rated at 2,200 hp
154 gal. internal
11,780 lb
42 lb/sq. ft
412 mph
34,000 ft
3,500 ft/min
200 miles
4 x 20mm Hispano cannons
Hawker Tempest V
41 ft 0 in
33 ft 8 in
16 ft 1 in
302 sq. ft
Napier Sabre IIA rated at 2,420 hp
162 gal. internal
11,500 lb.
38 lb./sq. ft
435 mph
36,000 ft
4,700 ft/min
245 miles
4 x 20mm Hispano cannons
de Havilland Mosquito IV
54 ft 2 in
40 ft 6 in
12 ft 6 in
????
2 x Rolls-Royce Merlin XXI rated 1,460 hp 
????
21,460 lb.
????
380 mph
34,000 ft
????
1,020 miles
2,000 lb. of bombs
Messerschmitt Bf.109E-4
32 ft 4 in
28 ft 4 in
11 ft 2 in
174 sq. ft
Daimler-Benz DB601A rated at 1,100 hp
106 gal.
5,520 lb.
32 lb./sq. ft
354 mph
36,100 ft
3,280 ft/min
125 miles
2 x 20mm MG-FF cannons , 2 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine-guns
Messerschmitt Bf.109G-6
32 ft 7 in
29 ft 8 in
11 ft 2 in
173 sq. ft
Daimler-Benz DB605A rated at 1,475 hp (up to 1,800 hp with MW-50 boost)
106 gal internal
6,950 lb.
40 lb./sq. ft
387 mph
38,550 ft
4,560 ft/min
150 miles
1 x 20mm MG-151 cannon, 2 x 13mm MG-131 machine-guns
Messerschmitt Bf.109K-4
32 ft 7 in
29 ft 4 in
11 ft 2 in
173 sq. ft
Daimler-Benz DB605 ASCM/DCM rated at 1,550 hp (up to 2,000 hp with MW-50 boost)
106 gal internal
7,440 lb.
43 lb./sq. ft
452 mph
41,000 ft
4,820 ft/min
130 miles
1 x 30mm MK-108 cannon, 2 x 13mm MG-131 machine guns
Messerschmitt Bf.110C-4
53 ft 5 in
39 ft 9 in
11 ft 6 in
413 sq. ft
2 x Daimler-Benz DB601A rated at 1,100 hp
335 gal. internal
14,884 lb.
36 lb./sq. ft
349 mph
32,800 ft
2,200 ft/min
180 miles
2 x 20mm MG-FF cannons, 4 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine-guns, plus 1 x 7.92mm MG-15 machine-gun in rear cockpit
Messerschmitt Bf.110G-2
53 ft 5 in
39 ft 9 in
11 ft 6 in
413 sq. ft
2 x Daimler-Benz DB605B rated at 1,475 hp
335 gal. internal
15,430 lb.
37 lb./sq. ft
343 mph
36,300 ft
2,500 ft/min
180 miles
2 x 20mm MG-151 cannons, 4 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine-guns, plus twin 7.92mm MG-81 machine-guns in rear cockpit
Messerschmitt Me.410A-1 Hornisse
53 ft 7 in
40 ft 11 in
14 ft 0 in
????
2 x Daimler-Benz DB 603A rated at 1,750 hp
????
23,483 lb
????
388 mph
32,800 ft
????
480 miles
2 x 20mm MG-151 cannons, 4 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine-guns, 2 x 13mm MG-131 machine-guns in rear turrets, 2,200 lbs. of bombs
Focke-Wulf Fw.190A-8
34 ft 5 in
29 ft 0 in
13 ft 0 in
197 sq. ft
BMW 801A rated at 1,700 hp (up to 2,100 hp with MW-50 boost)
138 gal. internal
9,750 lb.
49 lb./sq. ft
408 mph
37,400 ft
3,600 ft/min
165 miles
4 x 20mm MG-151 cannons, 2 x 13mm MG-131 machine-guns
Focke-Wulf Fw.190D-9
34 ft 5 in
33 ft 5 in
11 ft 0 in
197 sq. ft
Junkers Jumo 213A rated at 1,776 hp (up to 2,240 hp with MW-50 boost)
138 gal. internal
9,480 lb.
48 lb./sq. ft
426 mph
39,400 ft
4,200 ft/min
175 miles
2 x 20mm MG-151 cannons, 2 x 13mm MG-131 machine-guns
Messerschmitt Me.262A-1 Schwalbe
40 ft 11 in
34 ft 9 in
12 ft 7 in
234 sq. ft
2 x Junkers Jumo 109-004B turbojets, 1,980 lb. static thrust
440 gal. internal
14,100 lb
60 lb/sq. ft
540 mph
37,560 ft
3,940 ft/min
150 miles
4 x 30mm MK-108 cannons
Junkers Ju.88A-4
60 ft 3 in
47 ft 1 in
17 ft 6 in
????
2 x Junkers Jumo 211B rated 1,200 hp 
????
22,840 lb.
????
280 mph
26,200 ft
????
520 miles
4,000 lb. of bombs, 5 x 7.92mm machine-guns
Junkers Ju.88C-6
65 ft 8 in
47 ft 6 in
15 ft 11 in
????
2 x Junkers Jumo 211J rated 1,400 hp
????
25,230 lb.
????
310 mph
29,040 ft
????
610 miles
1 x 20mm MG-151 cannon, 2 x 20mm MG-FFM cannons, 3 x 7.92mm MG-17 machine-guns, 2 x 7.92mm MG-81J machine-guns in rear cockpit, 1,100 lb. of bombs
Junkers Ju.87B-2 Stuka
45 ft 3 in
36 ft 5 in
13 ft 2 in
????
Junkers Jumo 211D rated 1,200 hp 
????
9,560 lb.
????
238 mph
26,250 ft
????
245 miles
2,000 lb. of bombs, 2 x 7.9mm MG-17 machine-guns, 1 x 7.9mm MG-15 machine-gun in rear cockpit
Heinkel He.111H-2
74 ft 1 in
53 ft 9 in
13 ft 1 in
????
2 x Junkers Jumo 211A-3 rated 1,100 hp 
????
30,860 lb.
????
252 mph
26,300 ft
????
640 miles
4,000 lb. of bombs, 6 x 7.92mm machine-guns
Fiesler Fi.103 V-1
17 ft 6 in
25 ft 4 in
????
????
Argus pulse-jet
????
4,858 lb
????
420 mph
8,000 ft
????
120 miles
1,870 lb. of high explosive
