---
title: "The most iconic World War II planes"
date: "2018-03-31"
modified: "2020-10-21"
authors:
  - name: "Team Mighty"
    job_title: "Author"
    link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/teammighty/"
url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/lists/the-most-iconic-world-war-ii-planes/"
categories:
  - "Aircraft"
  - "History"
  - "Tactical"
  - "War History"
  - "World War II"
---

# The most iconic World War II planes

![](<https://www.wearethemighty.com/wp-content/uploads/legacy/assets.rbl.ms/17290165/origin.jpg>)

World War 2 aircraft and airplanes took a massive leap in speed, power, and sophistication. Many combatants started off flying biplanes and weakly powered fighters. But by the end of WWII, jet fighters were coming into service, along with long-range bombers that could fly thousands of miles. Many nations, especially [Nazi Germany](<https://www.ranker.com/list/books-about-the-subject-nazi-germany/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword>), were developing new planes that were decades ahead of anything else. But even before then, [aircraft companies](<https://www.ranker.com/list/aircraft-manufacturing-companies/reference?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword>) were making planes that were fast, powerful, cheap to produce, and difficult to shoot down.

---

Many of these planes became iconic thanks to endless war movies, newsreels, documentaries, and history books. And thanks to preservation techniques, thousands of WW2 planes survive in museums, with some even still able to fly.

The aircraft of the Second World War saved England from German bombers, played key roles in crucial [historical events](<https://www.ranker.com/list/most-important-historical-events-of-the-20th-century/mwahahahaha?ref=internalCrossLinking_keyword>), became famous around the world, and were the only planes to ever drop atomic bombs on an enemy nation.

Here's your chance to vote up the most iconic and important planes of World War Two.

[The Most Iconic World War 2 Planes](<https://www.ranker.com/list/world-war-2-planes/mike-rothschild?utm_source=widgetutm_campaign=widget_link>)

### More from Ranker:

- [The best novels about World War I](<https://www.ranker.com/list/best-novels-about-world-war-1/ranker-books>)
- [The best documentaries about Vietnam](<https://www.ranker.com/list/best-documentaries-about-vietnam/ranker-film>)
- [The most incredible sieges of all time](<https://www.ranker.com/crowdranked-list/the-most-incredible-sieges-of-all-time>)

This article originally appeared at [Ranker](<https://www.ranker.com/>). Copyright 2015. Like Ranker on [Facebook](<https://www.facebook.com/Ranker?fref=ts>).

## Author
Team Mighty's experience encompasses intel, special ops, military history, tactical expertise, aviation, gear, and weapons. Authors on Team Mighty include veterans, spouses, and active and reserve service members from every branch of the military, as well as former CIA employees.