The Aircraft of World War 2

Today, you will learn about the fighter planes of the RAF and the Luftwaffe.

Using your knowledge and investigation skills, you will compare the different planes used by the British and German Air forces.

You will also use your observational skills to learn about what it was like during WWII from pictures and photographs of the time.

The British

The Royal Air Force

‘Every day more planes Every day more pilots’

What does that mean?

Why are they called the Royal Air Force?

What is this poster about?

The Royal Air Force Insignia

Insignia - a badge or emblem of military rank or membership of an organisation

Insignia are important as they aid easy identification from a distance

The Spitfire

The SpitfireConsidered by many to be the most famous WWII plane, the Spitfire was a very fast fighter plane with one engine and a propeller with two blades. There were more Spitfires produced than any other British aircraft.

It had two cannons and four, fast-firing machine guns.

It could also drop bombs and was highly manoeuvrable at low altitudes, making it an effective bomber.

It carried one pilot.

The Lancaster Bomber

The Avro Lancaster Bomber was the most effective, heavy bomber of WWII.It was well-liked by pilots, having four powerful and reliable engines.

By the end of the war, Lancasters were able to drop a 10 ton bomb on precise targets such as bridges, viaducts and battleships.

It held a crew of seven: Pilot, Navigator, Flight Engineer, Wireless Operator, Bomb Aimer, Mid Gunner and Rear Gunner.

The Lancaster Bomber

The Germans

The Luftwaffe

This poster reads:Protect the sky over the Fatherland.Enter the air force today.

Just like the RAF, the Luftwaffe needed to

recruit many new pilots at the start of the war.

Luftwaffe means air weapon in English.

The Luftwaffe Insignia

The Messerschmitt

The Messerschmitt was a lightweight fighter plane with one engine. It was fast at high altitude and was known for its ability to dive rapidly. It carried one pilot.

Hitler thought that bombing was more important than dog fighting (shooting other planes) in the sky and manned the planes with bomber pilots rather than fighter pilots. This was not a good idea as it meant many didn’t have the flying skill to escape the British fighters.

It had two guns and two cannons and also carried two 500lb bombs but it was generally inefficient as a bomber as it could only carry seven rounds of cannon ammunition.

The Messerschmitt

The Focke-Wulf

The Focke-Wulf was a single-engine fighter but was relatively heavyin comparison to the likes of the Spitfire and the Messerschmitt. However, this did not impede its speed and its range also exceeded the other aircrafts.

They were armed with six machine guns and could carry up to a 500lb (≈220kg) bomb.

It carried one pilot and many favoured it over the Messerschmitt due to its superior handling.

The Focke-Wulf

Pilots and what they wore

Which are the British and which are the Germans?

Let’s compare the planes

What do you notice? Consider:colours, insignia, engines, size, propellers, crew members,

guns, bombs, speed and purpose.

Look at all the images of the British and German planes…

TASK: Use these screens or complete your own

research to compare the WWII planes.

WWII Planes

Messerschmitt

Lancaster

Focke-Wulf

Spitfire