The History of Fighter Planes

The History of Fighter Planes (Part 2)

As people became more and more interested in the field of flying, warlords thought of more efficient ways to conquer territories using the air-force and at the same time, reduce casualties. During the inter-war period (1919-1938), many countries developed planes with an enclosed fuselage that reduced air friction and keep the pilot warm. furthermore, radar systems, cannons, parachute, ejection seats, rocket propulsion were introduced. 

During the second world war, flying had gone too advance that people invented something that is considered doesn't belong to that era. These includes the world's first jet fighter, the ME262, the world's first jet bomber, the AR234, the world's first plane to exceed 1000km/h, the ME163.

Meanwhile there are also some notable figures. The plane in which most aces flew was the P-51 where 281 people earn the title flying them. The Japanese fighter A6M Zero is noted as the most agile fighter throughout the war. The most regarded dive bomber is undoubtedly the Stuka where a Luftwaffe ace, Hans-Ulrich Rudel destroyed over 500 soviet tanks. The Supermarine Spitfire can not be forgotten by most of the past generations as it was widely used in almost every theatre such as the British Colonies, Dutch East-Indies, Atlantic and Pacific theatres, Africa and wherever war is present.

Arado 234

Messerschmitt 163

Messerschmitt 262

Junkers 87 Stuka