American Factories Built Nearly 17,000 of These Fighter Planes During WWII

World War II was fought on two fronts, the Pacific and Europe, and required the use of air power to effectively win. Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy ravaged much of Western Europe at the beginning of the war, and the call for America to increase its productivity followed. The British and the French needed the US to supplement their own efforts and the states answered the call.

United States aircraft production rapidly increased from 1939 to 1945. According to the U.S. Air Force Historical Division, the Air Force grew from a few hundred to nearly 80,000 airplanes by the war’s end. Some of these fighter planes doubled as bombers capable of conducting raids and engaging other enemy aircraft. Others also played roles as escorts for heavy bombers when they were incapable of defending themselves in air-to-air combat. 

One of the most influential fighter-bomber aircraft was The Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Aptly nicknamed the “Fork-Tailed Devil” for its effectiveness in combat, it served in various roles. It was versatile enough to be used as a bomber escort, tactical bomber, and top-cover fighter. 

To determine the least and most mass-produced American fighter planes from WWII, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed a catalog of World War II aircraft, a list compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. We only included active fighter planes during the war, ranking them based on the total produced. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. The Military Factory also provided supplemental information about the year entered service, type, manufacturer, crew size, and top speed.

Why Is This Important?

The United States was leery of joining World War II and only eventually became a part of it when Japan attacked American soil in the dead of night, killing thousands in Pearl Harbor. Once they were involved, the full might of the country was wielded to meet the needs of not just their own war efforts but of many of their allies. Many factories were transitioned to produce materials for war machines.

Here is a look at the American fighter planes of WWII ranked by production.

27. Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon

• Number of aircraft produced: 62
• Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
• Type: Fighter/interceptor aircraft

The Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 314 mph.

26. Bell P-59 Airacomet

• Number of aircraft produced: 66
• Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
• Type: Jet-powered fighter aircraft

The Bell P-59 Airacomet entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 389 mph.

25. Ryan FR Fireball

• Number of aircraft produced: 66
• Manufacturer: Ryan Aeronautical
• Type: Mixed-power fighter aircraft

The Ryan FR Fireball entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 426 mph.

24. Vultee P-66 Vanguard (Model 48)

• Number of aircraft produced: 146
• Manufacturer: Vultee Aircraft
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Vultee P-66 Vanguard (Model 48) entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.

23. Grumman F3F

• Number of aircraft produced: 147
• Manufacturer: Grumman
• Type: Carrierborne biplane fighter aircraft

The Grumman F3F entered service in 1936. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 264 mph.

22. Boeing P-26 Peashooter

• Number of aircraft produced: 151
• Manufacturer: Boeing
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Boeing P-26 Peashooter entered service in 1932. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 227 mph.

21. Douglas P-70 Nighthawk

• Number of aircraft produced: 163
• Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
• Type: Night fighter aircraft

The Douglas P-70 Nighthawk entered service in 1942. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.

20. Seversky P-35

• Number of aircraft produced: 196
• Manufacturer: Seversky (Republic)
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Seversky P-35 entered service in 1937. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 308 mph.

19. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

• Number of aircraft produced: 257
• Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
• Type: Naval dive bomber/fighter aircraft

The Curtiss SBC Helldiver entered service in 1938. It could fit two crew members and had a maximum speed of 237 mph.

18. Republic P-43 Lancer

• Number of aircraft produced: 272
• Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The Republic P-43 Lancer entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 357 mph.

17. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)

• Number of aircraft produced: 509
• Manufacturer: Brewster Aeronautical
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Brewster F2A (Buffalo) entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 321 mph.

16. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair

• Number of aircraft produced: 600
• Manufacturer: Brewster Aeronautical
• Type: Carrierborne fighter aircraft

The Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 416 mph.

15. Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow

• Number of aircraft produced: 742
• Manufacturer: Northrop
• Type: Night fighter-reconnaissance aircraft

The Northrop P-61 / F-61 Black Widow entered service in 1943. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 366 mph.

14. Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk)

• Number of aircraft produced: 1,115
• Manufacturer: Curtiss Aeroplane Company
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Curtiss P-36 Hawk (Hawk 75/Mohawk) entered service in 1938. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 322 mph.

13. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

• Number of aircraft produced: 1,180
• Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 351 mph.

12. Grumman F8F Bearcat

• Number of aircraft produced: 1,266
• Manufacturer: Grumman
• Type: Carrierborne interceptor aircraft

The Grumman F8F Bearcat entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 421 mph.

11. Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star

• Number of aircraft produced: 1,715
• Manufacturer: Lockheed
• Type: Jet-powered fighter-bomber aircraft

The Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star entered service in 1945. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 577 mph.

10. Bell P-63 Kingcobra

• Number of aircraft produced: 3,303
• Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
• Type: Fighter aircraft

The Bell P-63 Kingcobra entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 410 mph.

9. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston

• Number of aircraft produced: 7,478
• Manufacturer: Douglas Aircraft
• Type: Light bomber/night fighter aircraft

The Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston entered service in 1941. It could fit three crew members and had a maximum speed of 339 mph.

8. Grumman F4F Wildcat

• Number of aircraft produced: 7,722
• Manufacturer: General Motors / Grumman
• Type: Carrierborne fighter aircraft

The Grumman F4F Wildcat entered service in 1940. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 332 mph.

7. Bell P-39 Airacobra

• Number of aircraft produced: 9,588
• Manufacturer: Bell Aircraft
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The Bell P-39 Airacobra entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 386 mph.

6. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

• Number of aircraft produced: 9,923
• Manufacturer: Lockheed
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The Lockheed P-38 Lightning entered service in 1939. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 414 mph.

5. Grumman F6F Hellcat

• Number of aircraft produced: 12,272
• Manufacturer: Grumman
• Type: Carrierborne fighter-bomber aircraft

The Grumman F6F Hellcat entered service in 1943. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 380 mph.

4. Vought F4U Corsair

• Number of aircraft produced: 12,571
• Manufacturer: Chance Vought / Brewster Aeronautical
• Type: Carrierborne night fighter-bomber aircraft
• Year entered service: 1942
• Top speed: 446 mph
• Crew: 1

The Vought F4U Corsair entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 446 mph.

3. North American P-51 Mustang

• Number of aircraft produced: 15,586
• Manufacturer: North American Aviation
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The North American P-51 Mustang entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 437 mph.

2. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

• Number of aircraft produced: 15,660
• Manufacturer: Republic Aviation
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt entered service in 1942. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 433 mph.

1. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

• Number of aircraft produced: 16,800
• Manufacturer: Curtiss-Wright
• Type: Fighter-bomber aircraft

The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk entered service in 1941. It could fit a crew of 1 and had a maximum speed of 378 mph.

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