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Boeing B-29 Superfortress
Known as 'The bomber that won the war', the B-29 was the largest and heaviest bomber to see service in
the Second World War and was responsible for the victory over Japan. It was equipped with the best
technology of its time, including remotely-controlled gun turrets. The illustration depicts the Eddie
Allen from the 40th Bomb Group, one of the most famous B-29s, whose life came to an abrupt halt on the
second Tokyo mission. Named after the Boeing test pilot who died in the crash of a B-29 prototype, Eddie
Allen had bombed targets in seven countries before meeting its demise.
Bristol Beaufighter and Messerschmitt Bf 109
The torpedo-carrying Bristol Beaufighter and the late-production G-6 version of the Messerschmitt Bf 109
engaged in combat. These warplanes were widely used during the European campaign and often joined battle
during the shipping strikes at low level.
De Havilland Mosquito and Messerschmitt Me 262
These two-engined fighters, the piston-engined Mosquito and the jet-powered Me 262, were among the most
performing of the Second World War fighting aircraft. The Mosquito appeared early in the war and played
a vital role in defeating the Luftwaffe, but development of the Me 262 was excessively delayed to be
effective in the course of war, though of course, this later was a more redoubtable fighter, in fact,
the most redoubtable fighter of its time.
De Havilland Mosquito FB VI
Popularly known as the 'Wooden Wonder' due to its all-wood construction, the Mosquito in its numerous
versions was one of the most successful British aircraft in the Second World War. It made headlines
throughout the major part of the conflict and can claim to have been the fastest aircraft in RAF Bomber
Command from 1942 until the arrival of the Canberra nine years later. As a fighter, the Mosquito
excelled. It undertook low-level strikes across Europe, became the Allies top-night fighter and, with
Coastal Command, fought the sea war as an anti-shipping striker. The FB (fighter-bomber) VI variant was
armed with two 20-millimeter Hispano Mk II cannons and four 7,7-millimeter Browning machine guns, and propelled by two
1460 HP Rolls-Royce Merlin engines (1675 HP in some of them).
Dornier Do 24
Due to big loading capacity, large cruising range and high manoeuvrability in heavy sea, this
'flying boat' was used for salvaging operations during sea battles by the Wehrmacht. More than 11,000
persons were rescued by the Do 24 planes during their operative life (279 Do 24 were built between 1937
and 1945).
Dornier Do 217J/E
To combat the RAF night attacks in 1942, the German Luftwaffe converted a number of Do 217E bombers into
217J night fighters, equipped with a formidable battery of eight guns (four 20-millimeter MG 151 cannons and
four 7,92-millimeter MG 17 machine guns) in a modified nose. The engines were two 1800 HP Daimler-Benz DB 603A.
Hawker Hurricane Mk 1
The famous Hurricane fought with distinction in the Battle of Britain besides its fellow Spitfire. First
versions of both aircraft carried the same configuration of armament and engine.
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