World War II was America’s greatest war. It was also the deadliest, causing an immense number of fatalities. This massive war, which involved upwards of 50 countries, was set in motion in 1939, shortly after Hitler invaded Poland. Fortunately, though the war was long and costly, the Allies emerged victorious.
During this most important of wars, aircraft carriers were used to transport machinery and planes to the war front. Without these behemoths delivering specific aircraft overseas, the Allies would not have been as effective at defeating the Germans.
To identify every carrier-based aircraft the United States used during WWII, 24/7 Wall St. referenced U.S. naval aircraft in the WWII era from the online military equipment database Military Factory, which details military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. The planes were listed in ascending order on production totals. We excluded prototype aircraft and those with limited production runs. Supplemental information about the aircraft’s type, crew size, top speed, roles, and year they entered service also came from the Military Factory.
The initial production line of fighter aircraft used by the U.S. Navy and Marines was the Grumman F4F Wildcat. It served as the primary carrier-based fighter in the early stages of the war in the Pacific, proving to be an exceptionally rugged and reliable aircraft.
Why We Are Covering American Carrier-Borne Planes
Although land-based aircraft have many advantages, the benefits of carrier-borne planes far outweigh the disadvantages. America has several enemies and potential threats relatively far from land bases, so the use of aircraft carriers makes sense. In our modern world with ever-shifting alliances and emerging threats to national security, the United States seeks to maintain combat readiness. The planes that are used on aircraft carriers are specially adapted for these conditions. As of April 2024, the United States has 11 large nuclear-powered fleet carriers — carrying around 80 fighters each. The production of these aircraft and ships is an important part of the weapons manufacturing business in the U.S.
Here is a Ranking of World War II American Carrier-Based Planes by Production Numbers During the War:
20. Douglas BTD Destroyer
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- Number produced: 30
- Type: torpedo/dive bomber
- First year of service: 1944
- Top speed: 334 mph
- Use: ground attacks
19. Ryan FR Fireball
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- Number produced: 66
- Type: mixed-power fighter
- First year of service: 1945
- Top speed: 426 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat
18. Douglas TBD Devastator
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- Number produced: 130
- Type: torpedo bomber
- First year of service: 1937
- Top speed: 206 mph
- Use: ground attacks
17. Martin AM Mauler
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- Number produced: 151
- Type: attack aircraft
- First year of service: 1948
- Top speed: 384 mph
- Use: close-air support
16. Consolidated Vultee TBY Sea Wolf
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- Number produced: 180
- Type: torpedo bomber
- First year of service: 1944
- Top speed: 306 mph
- Use: ground attacks
15. Curtiss SBC Helldiver
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- Number produced: 257
- Type: dive bomber
- First year of service: 1938
- Top speed: 237 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, anti-ship, ground attacks
14. Vought SB2U Vindicator
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- Number produced: 260
- Type: dive bomber
- First year of service: 1937
- Top speed: 251 mph
- Use: ground attacks, anti-ship, training
13. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)
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- Number produced: 509
- Type: single-engine monoplane fighter
- First year of service: 1939
- Top speed: 321 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat
12. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair
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- Number produced: 600
- Type: single-engine fighter
- First year of service: 1943
- Top speed: 416 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, surveillance, air support
11. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer
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- Number produced: 739
- Type: long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft
- First year of service: 1943
- Top speed: 300 mph
- Use: ground attack, anti-submarine, anti-ship, search and rescue, surveillance
10. Brewster SB2A Buccaneer
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- Number produced: 771
- Type: scout bomber
- First year of service: 1941
- Top speed: 273 mph
- Use: ground attacks, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance
9. Grumman F8F Bearcat
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- Number produced: 1,266
- Type: fighter/interceptor
- First year of service: 1945
- Top speed: 421 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, interception
8. Douglas SBD Dauntless
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- Number produced: 5,936
- Type: dive bomber
- First year of service: 1938
- Top speed: 255 mph
- Use: ground attacks, anti-ship
7. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
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- Number produced: 7,140
- Type: dive bomber/reconnaissance aircraft
- First year of service: 1943
- Top speed: 260 mph
- Use: ground attacks, anti-ship, surveillance
6. Grumman F4F Wildcat
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- Number produced: 7,722
- Type: single-seat, single-engine monoplane fighter
- First year of service: 1940
- Top speed: 332 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, ground attacks
5. de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito
- Number produced: 7,781
- Type: multirole heavy fighter
- First year of service: 1942
- Top speed: 407 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, close-air support, anti-submarine, training
4. North American B-25 Mitchell
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- Number produced: 9,816
- Type: twin-engine medium bomber
- First year of service: 1941
- Top speed: 272 mph
- Use: ground attacks, air support, anti-submarine, anti-ship, transport, VIP service, training, intelligence
3. Gruman TBF Avenger
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- Number produced: 9,835
- Type: torpedo bomber
- First year of service: 1942
- Top speed: 271 mph
- Use: ground attacks, anti-submarine, electronic warfare, surveillance, airborne early warning
2. Grumman F6F Hellcat
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- Number produced: 12,272
- Type: fighter-bomber
- First year of service: 1943
- Top speed: 380 mph
- Use: close air support, air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks
1. Vought F4U Corsair
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- Number produced: 12,571
- Type: fighter-bomber
- First year of service: 1942
- Top speed: 446 mph
- Use: air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, close air support, surveillance
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