Summary

  • Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 was the most produced WWII aircraft at 39,183 units.
  • US had over 300,000 aircraft production & shaped the war with industrial capabilities.
  • Combining bombers, fighters, transports, and trainers, US, USSR, and UK overwhelmingly outproduced Axis powers.

World War II has the questionable distinction of being the most industrial and widespread conflict in the history of mankind. During the harrowing six years of war, hundreds of thousands of aircraft were produced as the opposing sides tried to out-produce and knock out the other.

To focus on the war effort, economies were turned entirely over to war (e.g., civilian car production was banned in the USA). Warplanes were built by the thousands, and some of history’s most produced combat aircraft were built at this time. But what were the most produced aircraft of WWII, and how many did each side produce?

Most produced aircraft of WWII

WWII’s top ten most produced aircraft include some of the war’s most iconic fighter airplanes that have become household names. The Soviet Ilyushin Il-2 ground attack plane (with a controversial history) was the most-produced aircraft of the war, followed by the iconic Messerschmitt Bf-109.

Restored Il-2 flying

“Before the start of the war the U.S. Army Air Corps had only a few hundred air planes. By the end of the war it was the largest Air Force ever assembled with nearly 80,000 airplanes… More than 100 types of aircraft were used by the Army Air Force (AAF) during World War II. – Air Force Historical Support Division

Top ten most produced military aircraft of WW2 (per Aerocorner)

Ilyushin Il-2

39,183

Soviet Union

Messerschimitt Bf-109

33,984

Germany

Supermarine Spitfire

20,351

United Kingdom

Focke-Wulf Fw-190

20,000

Germany

Consolidated B-24 Liberator

18,482

United States

Yakovlev Yak-9

16,769

Soviet Union

P-47 Thunderbolt

15,683

United States

P-51 Mustang

15,000

United States

Junkers Ju-88

14,483

Germany

Hawker Hurricane

14,483

United Kingdom

However, just listing total production numbers without regard to aircraft type is not particularly useful. For example, the B-29 was by far the most expensive project of the war (more than the Manhattan Project). It had a huge impact on the war and was responsible for (among other things) leveling many German and Japanese cities (and dropping the two atomic bombs). But the B-29 doesn’t come close to making the top ten production list.

A Supermarine Spitfire flying in the sky.

Photo: Andrew Harker | Shutterstock

Related

History: The Dive Bomber Aircraft Of The Second World War

Nearly 50 versions of these planes were developed over nine years.

Heavy bombers of WW2

Just focusing on the consolidated total number of aircraft produced hides a huge amount of vital information. “Only” 3,790 Boeing B-29 Superfortress heavy bombers were built (between 1943 and 1946). It was even the least produced of the ‘major’ American bombers of the war. This is apparent from Planes Online’s list of the most produced American bombers (the B-29 is the least).

Most produced major American bombers (per Planes Online)

B-17 Flying Fortress

12,731

B-24 Liberator

18,493

B-25 Mitchell

9,890

B-29 Superfortress

3,970

Total

45,084

As can be seen from the table below (the B-25 is excluded as a medium bomber), the United States and the United Kingdom dominated heavy bomber production (they also dominated transport and transport glider production). Note that Canadian and Australian production is typically bundled with British production for WWII statistics.

B-29 Superfortress in flight

Photo: US Air Force

Top ten most produced heavy & strategic bombers of World War Two

Consolidated B-24 Liberator:

18,188

United States

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress:

12,731

United States

Avro Lancaster:

7,377

United Kingdom

Handley Page Halifax:

6,176

United Kingdom

Boeing B-29 Superfortress:

3,970

United States

Short Stirling:

2,371

United Kingdom

Dornier Do 217

1,925

Germany

Heinkel He 177

1,169

Italy

Vickers Warwick

846

United Kingdom

Tupolev TB-3 (old 1932s design)

818

Soviet Union

While the USSR ended up producing more aircraft than the UK (112,100 vs 94,600), it should be noted that the British built a much larger bomber and transport fleet (much more expensive and difficult to build aircraft).

An Avro Lancaster flying in the sky.

Photo: Pawel Bednarski 303 | Shutterstock

Related

Warbirds: 5 Aviation Museums Around The World To See WW2 Fighter Planes

These museums have massive warplane collections.

WW2 aircraft production by country

According to data from Statista, the US, USSR, and UK all outproduced Germany in the total number of aircraft. Per these figures, the Allies produced around combat (fighter and bomber) 400,000 aircraft, while the Axis powers produced around 158,000.

According to Airlines Online, the United States produced a total of 300,000 aircraft of all types. This includes approx. 98,000 bombers (including smaller bombers), 100,000 fighters, 24,000 transports, and 57,623 trainers. If all aircraft types (bombers, fighters, transports, and trainers) are included, then each nation’s production is significantly higher.

Combat aircraft production by country in WW2 (per Statista)

United States

192,000

Soviet Union

112,100

United Kingdom

94,600

Germany

89,500

Japan

55,100

Italy

13,300

A Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter manuevering in the sky.

Photo: Santiparp Wattanaporn | Shutterstock

American & British aircraft production shaped the war

American historian and professor of strategic studies at the University of St Andrews, Scotland, Phillips O’Brien, wrote a book showing how industrial production – particularly aircraft – decided the war. In his book entitled How the War Was Won: Air-Sea Power and Allied Victory in World War II, O’Brien argues that the role of the USSR in deciding the war is often overplayed while Great Britain’s role is downplayed.

He argues that Great Britain’s much larger industrial contribution (particularly in aircraft) was more consequential than the vast numbers of men and vehicles fielded by the USSR. Great Britain played a central role in defeating the German Luftwaffe; only a small fraction of the total German war effort was spent fighting the Soviets. O’Brien argues that while many more German vehicles and men were sent east to fight the Soviets, more of Germany’s industrial war effort was spent on aircraft, U-boats, V-2 Rockets, and other systems to fight the Western powers.

A Grumman F6F Hellcat flying in the sky.

According to the British Parliament, the British also supplied the Soviets with 7,411 aircraft, including 3,129 from the USA. The Americans and British also supplied the Soviets with many engines and other materials to construct aircraft (and most of its aviation fuel). According to the US Embassy in Russia, the US supplied the Soviets with 14,000 aircraft (plus engines, parts, and raw materials).

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *