Over 12,000 of These Carrier-Borne Aircraft Were Produced During World War II

The first American aircraft carrier, the USS Langley, set sail over 100 years ago. Initially, even aviation experts weren’t sure if aircraft could fly to and from a ship while operating in battle, but the USS Langley proved the effectiveness of such an approach and changed military aviation forever. During World War II, aircraft carriers were vital for the Allied forces and changed the tide in several pivotal battles. (These are the most-produced aircraft by any nation during WWII.)

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 of 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.

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 using 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

19. Ryan FR Fireball

• 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

• Number produced: 130
• Type: torpedo bomber
• First year of service: 1937
• Top speed: 206 mph
• Use: ground attacks

17. Martin AM Mauler

• 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

• Number produced: 180
• Type: torpedo bomber
• First year of service: 1944
• Top speed: 306 mph
• Use: ground attacks

15. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

• 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

• 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)

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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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