WWII’s Little-Known Fighter Jet Could Reach Blistering Speeds

24/7 Wall St. Insights

• The Lockheed P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star, which entered service in 1945, is the fastest plane on this list at 577 mph.
• Comparatively, the slowest World War II plane (the Piper L-4 Grasshopper) flew at a top speed of just 85 mph – just 10 mph faster than a cheetah!
• World War II aircraft signified a change in aviation technology and strategy, allowing the U.S. to better contribute to war efforts.
• Also: Discover the “Next NVIDIA”

In December 1903, the Wright brothers piloted and flew the first successful powered aircraft. By 1939, when World War II began, aircraft technology had significantly improved. New aviation technology changed the way this war was fought. Increased speed and range allowed for better combat abilities, as well as the ability to escape from enemy combatants. More precise radar and bombing technologies also increased U.S. aviation military power. (America produced over 12,000 of these World War II carrier-borne planes.)

U.S. involvement in World War II bolstered the Allied Forces. American factories played a pivotal role in manufacturing thousands of aircraft and other essential resources for the war effort. This substantial contribution played a key role in tilting the balance in favor of the Allies. These aircraft represent a milestone in the evolution of aviation and the military, with certain models becoming iconic symbols of war.

To determine the fastest American military planes from World War II, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed WW2 Aircraft Ranked-by-Speed, a list compiled by Military Factory, an online database of military vehicles, aircraft, arms, and more. Only military planes that had production runs of more than 150 and that served during World War II were included. 24/7 Wall St. ranked these aircraft based on their top speed. Prototypes and concept aircraft were excluded. Supplemental information about the year the craft entered service, crew size, and roles also came from Military Factory. 

A broad spectrum of aircraft can be found on this list. While you can check out the fastest and slowest aircraft by reading, there are two other standout planes that deserve attention: the P-51 Mustang and the P-38 Lightning. These World War II planes were known for their speed, agiliy, and influence on the war’s eventual outcome.

The P-51 Mustang became one of the most iconic and fastest American planes during World War II. Its impressive range (exceeding 950 miles), coupled with its incredible speed and weaponry, transformed the P-51 Mustang into a formidable aircraft. The P-51 Mustang directly impacted the success of strategic bombing campaigns against Axis forces. It could slice through the air at speeds up to 437 mph and was primarily deployed as a long-range escort for bomber raids over Germany.

The P-38 Lightning was known for its unique twin-engine design. With its turbo-supercharged engines, the P-38 could reach outstanding speeds of 414 mph. Its versatility made the P-38 a diverse aircraft with multiple roles, ranging from interception and dive bombing to ground attack and reconnaissance missions.

Why This Matters

World War II brought about a dramatic shift in technology. New aircraft emerged far surpassed anything used just a few decades earlier. These new American planes fundamentally altered the technical aspects of warfare and how soldiers and pilots approached fighting. Understanding the fastest and slowest American planes used in World War II illustrates the scale and impact of aviation on the war and those fighting in it.

Here are the fastest and slowest aircraft fielded by the United States in WWII:

66. Piper L-4 Grasshopper

• Top speed: 85 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 5,500
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance

65. Stinson L-1 Vigilant (Model 74)

• Top speed: 121 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 324
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

64. Naval Aircraft Factory N3N (Yellow Peril)

• Top speed: 127 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 997
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

63. Stinson L-5 Sentinel

• Top speed: 165 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 3,896
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Close-air support, special mission, maritime, surveillance, reconnaissance

62. Curtiss SOC Seagull

• Top speed: 165 mph
• Year entered service: 1935
• Production run: 322
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, Special mission, surveillance, reconnaissance, trainer

61. Curtiss SO3C Seamew

• Top speed: 172 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 796
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Maritime, surveillance, reconnaissance

60. Stinson Reliant

• Top speed: 177 mph
• Year entered service: 1933
• Production run: 1,327
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Trainer, surveillance, reconnaissance

59. Consolidated PBY Catalina

• Top speed: 179 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 3,305
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attack, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

58. Vultee BT-13 Valiant

• Top speed: 183 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 11,537
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

57. Grumman J2F Duck

• Top speed: 183 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 11,537
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

56. Beech AT-10 Wichita

• Top speed: 199 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 2,371
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Trainer

55. Grumman Goose (G-21)

• Top speed: 201 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 345
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Transport, trainer, surveillance, reconnaissance

54. Northrop A-17 (Nomad)

• Top speed: 208 mph
• Year entered service: 1935
• Production run: 411
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attack, close-air support, surveillance, reconnaissance

53. North American T-6 Texan

• Top speed: 209 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 15,495
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Close-air support, trainer

52. Beech AT-11 Kansan

• Top speed: 214 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 1,606
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, trainer

51. Douglas B-18 Bolo

• Top speed: 215 mph
• Year entered service: 1936
• Production run: 360
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attack, special mission, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

50. Curtiss O-52 Owl

• Top speed: 221 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 203
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance

49. Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

• Top speed: 223 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 217
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, ground attacks

48. Beechcraft C-45 (Expeditor)

• Top speed: 224 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,300
• Crew: 9
• Roles: Transport

47. Boeing P-26 Peashooter

• Top speed: 227 mph
• Year entered service: 1932
• Production run: 151
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat

46. Douglas C-47 (Skytrain / Dakota)

• Top speed: 230 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 12,748
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, transport

45. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

• Top speed: 237 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 257
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Special missions, air-to-air combat, ground attacks

44. Lockheed Hudson

• Top speed: 249 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 2,941
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, training, ground attacks, transport

43. Douglas A-24 Banshee

• Top speed: 250 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 953
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, training, ground attacks, close-air support

42. Vought SB2U Vindicator

• Top speed: 251 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 260
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Training, ground attacks, special missions

41. Douglas SBD Dauntless

• Top speed: 255 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 5,936
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions

40. Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

• Top speed: 260 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 7,140
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, surveillance, reconnaissance

39. Curtiss-Wright C-46 Commando

• Top speed: 270 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 3,181
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

38. Grumman TBF Avenger

• Top speed: 271 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 9,835
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, special missions

37. North American B-25 Mitchell

• Top speed: 272 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,816
• Crew: 5
• Roles: Reconnaissance, training, transport, surveillance, ground attacks, close-air support, special missions

36. Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

• Top speed: 273 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 771
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance, ground attacks

35. Douglas C-54 Skymaster (DC-4)

• Top speed: 275 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 1,170
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

34. Vultee A-35 Vengeance

• Top speed: 279 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,962
• Crew: 2
• Roles: Ground attacks

33. Martin B-26 Marauder

• Top speed: 282 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 5,288
• Crew: 7
• Roles: Ground attacks, training

32. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

• Top speed: 287 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 12,731
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, special missions, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

31. Consolidated B-24 Liberator

• Top speed: 290 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 18,482
• Crew: 10
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, transport, surveillance, reconnaissance

30. Consolidated PB4Y-2 Privateer

• Top speed: 300 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 739
• Crew: 11
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance

29. Martin Baltimore

• Top speed: 302 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,575
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Ground attack

28. Consolidated Vultee TBY Sea Wolf

• Top speed: 306 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 180
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, maritime warfare

27. Seversky P-35

• Top speed: 308 mph
• Year entered service: 1937
• Production run: 196
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, interception, ground attacks, training

26. Curtiss SC Seahawk

• Top speed: 313 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 577
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Special mission, maritime warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance

25. Martin Maryland

• Top speed: 316 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 450
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, reconnaissance, surveillance

24. Brewster F2A (Buffalo)

• Top speed: 321 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 509
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, maritime warfare

23. Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon

• Top speed: 322 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 3,028
• Crew: 6
• Roles: Ground attacks, special missions, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

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

• Top speed: 322 mph
• Year entered service: 1938
• Production run: 1,115
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat

21. Grumman F4F Wildcat

• Top speed: 332 mph
• Year entered service: 1940
• Production run: 7,722
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, maritime warfare

20. Douglas P-70 Nighthawk

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 163
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-t0-air combat fighting, interception, training

19. Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston

• Top speed: 339 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 7,478
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-t0-air combat fighting, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance

18. Lockheed C-69 Constellation (Model L-049)

• Top speed: 346 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 856
• Crew: 4
• Roles: Transport

17. Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

• Top speed: 351 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 1,180
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks

16. Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader

• Top speed: 355 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 2,452
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Ground attacks, close-air support, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

15. Republic P-43 Lancer

• Top speed: 357 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 272
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks, surveillance, reconnaissance, training

14. North American A-36 Mustang

• Top speed: 365 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 500
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, ground attacks, close air support

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

• Top speed: 366 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 742
• Crew: 3
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, surveillance, reconnaissance

12. Curtiss P-40 Warhawk

• Top speed: 378 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 16,800
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Surveillance, reconnaissance, air-to-air combat

11. Grumman F6F Hellcat

• Top speed: 380 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 12,272
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat fighting, interception, ground attacks, close-air support

10. Martin AM Mauler

• Top speed: 384 mph
• Year entered service: 1944
• Production run: 151
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Close-air support, maritime warfare

9. Bell P-39 Airacobra

• Top speed: 386 mph
• Year entered service: 1941
• Production run: 9,588
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks, close-air support

8. Bell P-63 Kingcobra

• Top speed: 410 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 3,303
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support

7. Lockheed P-38 Lightning

• Top speed: 414 mph
• Year entered service: 1939
• Production run: 9,923
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

6. Brewster F3A (F4U-1) Corsair

• Top speed: 416 mph
• Year entered service: 1943
• Production run: 600
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

5. Grumman F8F Bearcat

• Top speed: 421 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 1,266
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, maritime warfare

4. Republic P-47 Thunderbolt

• Top speed: 433 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 15,660
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support, interception, ground attacks

3. North American P-51 Mustang

• Top speed: 437 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 15,586
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, close-air support, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance, training

2. Vought F4U Corsair

• Top speed: 446 mph
• Year entered service: 1942
• Production run: 12,571
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, interception, ground attacks (bombing, strafing), close-air support, maritime warfare, intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance

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

• Top speed: 577 mph
• Year entered service: 1945
• Production run: 1,715
• Crew: 1
• Roles: Air-to-air combat, close-air support

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