Summary The B-29 Superfortress was crucial in ending WWII, dropping atomic bombs on Japan. The C-47 Skytrain was vital for Allied logistics and essential for US forces' operations. The P-51 Mustang was a premier long-range fighter, destroying thousands of enemy aircraft.
The US lacked an independent air force service branch during World War II . Like Japan, air power was handled by the United States Army Air Force and the Navy's airwing (the US Air Force was established post-war in 1947). The US Army Air Force (USAAF) grew to become not only the largest US Air Force ever but also the largest air force in the world in WWII.
Countless thousands of American aircraft were built (and lost) in World War II . Here are five of the top USAAF aircraft of WWII. 1 Boeing B-29 Superfortress 3,970 B-29 Superfortresses were built (including those operated by the RAF) Number built: 3,970 Dates in service: 1944 to 1960 Notable for: firebombing Japan, dropping nuclear bombs Perhaps nothing in the USAAF symbolized American airpower as much as the formidable B-29 Superfortress .
While the heavy/strategic bomber was produced in comparatively low numbers compared to other top-produced bombers, it was the most expensive project of the war ($3 billion). When it was built, the Superfortress was at the cutting edge of aviation innovation, with a pressurized cabin and many other innovations. The B-29 arrived very late in the war and took part in the firebombing of Japan.
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