RapidFireWeb Mitsubishi A6M Zero (Zeke) (IJN Photo) Mitsubishi A6M3 Model 22, flown by Japanese ace Hiroyoshi Nishizawa over the Solomon Islands, 1943. The Mitsubishi A6M “Zero” is a long-range carrier-based fighter aircraft formerly manufactured by Mitsubishi Aircraft Company, a part of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. It was operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) from 1940 to 1945. … Read more
Aichi B7A Ryusei (IJNAF Photo) Aichi B7A2 Ryusei, codenamed “Grace”. The Aichi B7A Ryusei (流星, Ryūsei, “Shooting Star”; Allied reporting name”Grace”) was a large and powerful carrier-borne torpedo-dive bomber produced by Aichi Kokuki for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during theSecond World War. Built in only small numbers and deprived of the aircraft carriers … Read more
Air Technical Intelligence examination of Imperial Japanese Army Air Service and Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service Warplanes of the Second World War (RAF Photo) Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu fighter/ground attack aircraft, codenamed “Nick” by the Allies, of the 71st Dokuritsu Hiko Chutai being examined by an RAF Officer. This was one of a number of aircraft … Read more
Warplanes of the Second World War preserved in Italy The aim of this website is to locate, identify and document Warplanes from the Second World War preserved in Italy. Many contributors have assisted in the hunt for these aircraft to provide and update the data on this website. Photos are as credited. Any errors found … Read more
Captured Allied Aircraft in Japanese service during the Second World War (IJAAF Photo, Koku Asahi, May 1943) Captured B-17E, CW-22, and CW-21 aircraft bearing Japanese markings and Tachikawa Army test center emblem, photographed in Java, Dutch East Indies, 1943. These aircraft were seized after the fall of the Netherlands East Indies in early 1942 and reused … Read more
Kamikaze strikes (Imperial Japanese Naval Air Force Photo) Mitsubishi Zero A6M5 Model 52c are sent back from Korea to Kyushû island, to take part in a Kamikaze attack (early 1945). Approximately 2,800 Kamikaze attackers sank 34 Navy ships, damaged 368 others, killed 4,900 sailors, and wounded over 4,800. Despite radar detection and cuing, airborne interception, … Read more
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Regia Aeronautica Photo) The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk) was a three-engined Italian medium bomber. It may be the best-known Italian warplane of the Second World War. The SM.79 was easily recognizable due to its fuselage’s distinctive dorsal “hump”, and was reportedly well liked by its crews, who nicknamed it il gobbo maledetto … Read more
Kawanishi H8K (USN Photo) The Kawanishi H8K is a flying boat used bythe Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during the Second World War for maritime patrolduties. The Allied reporting name for the type was “Emily”. The Kawanishi H8K was a large, four-engine aircraft designed for long range andextended endurance on patrols or bombing missions typically flown … Read more
Aichi M6A1 Seiran (USN Photo) Aichi M6A1 Seiran (Clear Sky Storm or Mist on a Fair Day) being examined by USN sailors at Nagoya, Japan, Sep 1945. The Aichi M6A Seiran (晴嵐, “Clear Sky Storm”) is a submarine-launched attackfloatplane designed for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. It wasintended to operate from I-400 … Read more
Aerei da guerra italiani della seconda guerra mondiale Italian Warplanes of the Second World War Regia Aeronautica 1930-1943 Messerschmitt to SAIMAN Messerschmitt Bf 108B-2 Taifun (Typhoon) liaison (post-war Photo, civilian version). (Thuringius Photo) Messerschmitt Bf 109G/K fighter. (Regia Aeronautica Photos) Messerschmitt Bf 110C-4/G-4 night fighter. (Regia Aeronautica Photos) Morane-Saulnier MS.230 Et.2 trainer. (Armee de l’Air … Read more
