The aviation sector was massively influenced by World War II, and the technological advancement was beyond anyone’s imagination. The different countries were competing with each other to be the leaders in the sky, while at the same time, the engineers were pushing the limits of their designs to get an advantage over the rival countries. Consequently, the world had some of the bizarre, surprising, and even the weirdest types of airplanes that had ever been made. The innovations tested with rockets to power interceptors and flying wings, which were new and had never been thought possible or even logical. These are ten of the most surprising and weird aircraft of that time, and each one is a tale of innovation and the desire to conquer.
10. Martin PBM-5A Mariner
The PBM-5A Mariner was a class of America’s patrol bombers, even surpassing the legendary PBY Catalina in several missions. Developed by the Glenn L. Martin Company, it sported gull wings to maintain engines higher than sea spray and retractable wing floats to reduce drag. Its fuselage contained the bomb bay, enabling quicker flight when loaded with heavy bombs. Some models were fitted with jet-assisted take-off rockets, which made them perfect for short, steep rescue climbs. Manned by nine and equipped with several .50-caliber machine guns, the Mariner sank ten German submarines at the Battle of the Atlantic. Of over a thousand produced, just one survives today.
9. Curtiss XP-55 Ascender
The XP-55 Ascender appeared to be straight out of a comic book, with its engine in the back, canard wing up front, and twin vertical tails on wingtips. The “pusher” design was intended to enhance visibility and focus firepower toward the nose. In spite of its radical styling, it had unstable stalls and never achieved the anticipated performance. Three were produced; two crashed, leaving one as a scarce reminder of experimental thought.
8. Vought V-173 “Flying Pancake”
The V-173 got its nickname from its pancake-shaped, round fuselage and enormous propellers, each more than sixteen feet across. Charles Zimmerman designed it. It could take off in a very short distance and nearly hover into a stiff headwind. Its odd shape produced lift on every part of the aircraft, making it as agile as a helicopter in the air. Although its test flights were successful, the Navy had lost interest and was now interested in faster jet aircraft, and the Flying Pancake never entered production.
7. Focke-Wulf 190D “Long Nose”
Nicknamed the “Langnasen” by German airmen, the Focke-Wulf 190D was a high-altitude interceptor with a liquid-cooled Jumo 213 engine. It was capable of speeds approaching 440 mph, making it a good match against Allied bombers. Equipped with 20mm and 13mm cannons, it was a force to be reckoned with, but wartime delays in production prevented it from being produced in numbers sufficient to be decisive. A few exist today in museums.
6. Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa (“Oscar”)
The Ki-43 Hayabusa, or Peregrine Falcon, was a long-legged, agile fighter that surprised Allied pilots during the early stages of the war. More than 5,900 were manufactured. Early models did not have armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, but subsequent models addressed these defects while maintaining the aircraft’s legendary maneuverability. Only one fully complete example exists today.
5. Mitsubishi A6M7 Reisen (Zero)
The Mitsubishi Zero was already renowned for its agility and speed, and the A6M7 variant added additional capabilities. Produced for dive-bombing off smaller carriers, it had reinforced wings and bomb racks in place of a centerline fuel tank. More than ten thousand Zeros were produced, although few survive in one piece today, and they are uncommon relics of aviation history.
4. Horten Ho 229
The Ho 229 was a jet-powered flying wing decades ahead of its time. Its streamlined shape cut drag and radar signature, and its double engines promised up to 600 mph. It made its first flight as a prototype in 1944, but the war was over before production could start. It is one of the most advanced and innovative aircraft concepts of the era.
3. Messerschmitt Me 262
The Me 262 was the first operational jet fighter in the world. Capable of a top speed of about 540 mph, with nose-mounted cannons, it could rip apart bomber formations before they even got a chance to respond. Though fuel shortages and unreliability restricted its impact during the war, its design shaped postwar aviation for decades.
2. Heinkel He 178 and He 280
The He 178 was the first jet-powered plane to take to the skies in 1939. It was later followed by the He 280, the first dedicated turbojet fighter, with speeds over 550 mph. Although the Me 262 reached production earlier, these early aircraft marked the onset of a new era in aviation.
1. Mitsubishi J8M1 Shusui / Ki-200
The rocket-plane J8M1 Shusui, based on Germany’s Me 163 Komet, was intended to shoot down high-altitude bombers. It could ascend to tremendous altitudes and achieve blistering velocities in a matter of minutes, but fuel was only good for about five minutes. Japanese technicians hacked out much of its design, and the prototype crashed on its maiden flight, killing the pilot. The war ended before it could be further developed.
These planes show the world-class innovation and bold risks of World War II aviation. Some worked, others didn’t, but all left an indelible mark on the history of flight.