Flying warbirds collection | World War II
Warbirds are a type of aircraft that were used for military purposes in the past, such as during World War II. They are usually propeller-driven and have distinctive features such as camouflage paint, guns, bombs, and rockets. Some examples of flying warbirds are the P-51 Mustang, the Spitfire, the B-17 Flying Fortress and Messerscmitt Me109. These aircraft are now mostly preserved in museums or flown by enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate their historical and technical value.
Flying warbirds are often displayed at airshows and events where they perform aerobatic maneuvers and simulate combat scenarios. They are a fascinating way to learn about the history of aviation and warfare, as well as to admire the skill and courage of the pilots who flew them.
During World War II, airplanes of all types – fighters, bombers, transports, etc. – developed rapidly. Biplanes saw action in the early years; jet aircraft zoomed through the skies over Germany in 1945. The Americans produced the “mostest of the bestest,” that is, the largest numbers of generally superior warplanes.
All the combatant nations, USA, Germany, Japan, Britain, struggled to keep their aircraft up to date, almost constantly modifying them and introducing new variants. The Spitfire went through over twenty variants. The Messerschmitt Bf 109 evolved through eleven major production variants, plus uncounted sub-types and experimentals. A constant trend emerged – to push the basic airframe design to it limits and beyond with more powerful engines, more weapons, more armor protection, larger fuel tanks, etc.
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Most of the photos on this website are taken from the “Flying Legends air show” in England 2005 – 2019.