Top 10 Fastest World War II Aircraft 😍🔥

World War II was the deadliest war mankind ever saw. A lot of lethal weapons were used in that war. Today we would like to show you guys the 10 Fastest World War II Aircraft. This list only includes aircraft that were in service, it may be for a very short time or a long time. We have not included any kind of experimental or unproven aircraft that were not introduced at that time. So without any delay, let's get started with the list of Top 10 Fastest World War II Aircraft.

You might be interested in the fastest aircraft ever recorded, best fighter jets in the world or most expensive fighter jets in the world


Context

  • Top 10 Fastest World War II Aircraft
      • Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
      • Gloster Meteor
      • P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
      • Messerschmitt Me-262
      • Heinkel He 162
      • de Havilland DH.103 Hornet
      • Dornier Do 335
      • Arado Ar 234
      • Grumman F8F Bearcat
      • North American P-51 Mustang
  • Conclusion

For more: Military Ranking Articles


Top 10 Fastest World War II Aircraft


10. North American P-51 Mustang

North American P-51 Mustang

We start off our list with the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang. This was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter bomber. This fighter jet was introduced in January 1942, and the primary users of this jet were United States Army Air Forces, Royal Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force and Royal Canadian Air Force. 

It was powered with 1 × Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine. This aircraft had a maximum speed of 440 mph (708 km/h, 383 kn), a maximum range of 1,650 mi (2,656 km, 1,434 nmi) with external tank and service ceiling of 41,900 ft (12,800 m).

  • Year Introduced: January 1942
  • Engine: 1 × Packard (Rolls Royce) V-1650-7 Merlin 12-cylinder liquid-cooled engine
  • Max Speed: 440 mph (708 km/h, 383 kn)
  • Max Range: 1,650 mi (2,656 km, 1,434 nmi) with external tank
  • Max Service Ceiling: 41,900 ft (12,800 m)



9. Grumman F8F Bearcat

Grumman F8F Bearcat

Number ninth-fastest World War II aircraft is the Grumman F8F Bearcat. This was an American single-engine, carrier-based fighter aircraft. It was introduced in late World War II, and it was primarily used by the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, French Air Force and Royal Thai Air Force. 

This aircraft was powered with 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W two-row radial engine that was able to give this jet a maximum speed of 455 mph (405 kn, 730 km/h), a maximum range of 1,105 mi (1,778 km) and a service ceiling of 40,800 ft (12,436 m).

  • Year Introduced: Late World War II
  • Engine: 1 × Pratt & Whitney R-2800-30W two-row radial engine
  • Max Speed: 455 mph (405 kn, 730 km/h)
  • Max Range: 1,105 mi (1,778 km)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 40,800 ft (12,436 m)

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8. Arado Ar 234

Arado Ar 234

Coming up next at number 8 is the Arado AR 234. This was an operational jet-powered bomber built by Arado Flugzeugwerke. This aircraft was introduced in September 1944 for Luftwaffe or for German forces. 

It was powered with 2 × Walter HWK 109-500A-1 Starthilfe liquid-fuelled jettisonable JATO rocket pods, and it had a maximum speed of 742 km/h (461 mph, 401 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft), a maximum range of 1,556 km (967 mi, 840 nmi) with 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb load and a service ceiling of 10,000 m (33,000 ft).

  • Year Introduced: September 1944
  • Engine: 2 × Walter HWK 109-500A-1 Starthilfe liquid-fuelled jettisonable JATO rocket pods
  • Max Speed: 742 km/h (461 mph, 401 kn) at 6,000 m (20,000 ft)
  • Max Range: 1,556 km (967 mi, 840 nmi) with 500 kg (1,100 lb) bomb load
  • Max Service Ceiling: 10,000 m (33,000 ft)



7. Dornier Do 335

Dornier Do 335

At number 7, we have the Dornier Do 335. This was a World War 2 heavy fighter built by the Dornier company. It was the fastest piston-engined aircraft of Germany in World War II. The aircraft was introduced in 1944 and got retired just a year later in 1945. 

The engine used in this aircraft was 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603E-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines for takeoff. It had a maximum speed of 763 km/h (474 mph, 412 kn) at 6,500 m (21,300 ft), a maximum range of 1,395 km (867 mi, 753 nmi) on full internal fuel at max and service ceiling of 11,400 m (37,400 ft).

  • Year Introduced: 1944
  • Engine: 2 × Daimler-Benz DB 603E-1 V-12 inverted liquid-cooled piston engines
  • Max Speed: 763 km/h (474 mph, 412 kn) at 6,500 m (21,300 ft)
  • Max Range: 1,395 km (867 mi, 753 nmi) on full internal fuel at max
  • Max Service Ceiling: 11,400 m (37,400 ft)

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6. de Havilland DH.103 Hornet

de Havilland DH.103 Hornet

Next at number 6 is the de Havilland DH.103 Hornet. This was a twin piston-engined fighter aircraft manufactured by de Havilland. It was introduced in 1946. It was set to a long-range fighter operation in the Pacific Theatre against the Empire of Japan but the war ended before the Hornet reached operational squadron status. The primary users of this aircraft were the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. 

This aircraft was powered with 2 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 130 / 131 (left-hand and right-hand rotation) V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines. It was able produced a maximum speed of 475 mph (764 km/h, 413 kn) at 21,000 ft (6,400.8 m), the maximum range of 1,480 mi (2,380 km, 1,290 nmi) and a service ceiling of 41,500 ft (12,600 m).

  • Year Introduced: 1946
  • Engine: 2 × Rolls-Royce Merlin 130 / 131 (left-hand and right-hand rotation) V-12 liquid-cooled piston engines
  • Max Speed: 475 mph (764 km/h, 413 kn) at 21,000 ft (6,400.8 m)
  • Max Range: 1,480 mi (2,380 km, 1,290 nmi)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 41,500 ft (12,600 m)



5. Heinkel He 162

Heinkel He 162

Moving onto number 5, we have the Heinkel He 162. It was a German single-engine jet-powered fighter aircraft. This aircraft was introduced in January 1945 and was used by the Luftwaffe in World War 2. 

This aircraft was powered with 1 × BMW 109-003E-1 or BMW 109-003E-2 turbojet engine. It had a maximum speed of 790 km/h (490 mph, 430 kn) at sea level, a maximum range of 975 km (606 mi, 526 nmi) and a service ceiling of 12,000 m (39,000 ft).

  • Year Introduced: 1945
  • Engine: 1 × BMW 109-003E-1 or BMW 109-003E-2 turbojet engine
  • Max Speed: 790 km/h (490 mph, 430 kn) at sea level
  • Max Range:  975 km (606 mi, 526 nmi)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 12,000 m (39,000 ft)

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4. Messerschmitt Me-262

Messerschmitt Me-262

At number 4 is the Messerschmitt Me-262 which was a German fighter and a fighter bomber aircraft. Messerschmitt Me-262 was introduced in April 1944. The primary users of this aircraft were Luftwaffe and Czechoslovak Air Force. 

It was powered with 2 × Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet and produced a maximum speed of 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn), range of 1,050 km (650 mi, 570 nmi) and a service ceiling of 11,450 m (37,570 ft).

  • Year Introduced:  April 1944
  • Engine: 2 × Junkers Jumo 004B-1 turbojet
  • Max Speed: 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
  • Max Range: 1,050 km (650 mi, 570 nmi)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 11,450 m (37,570 ft)



3. P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star

P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star

At number 3, we have the P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star. This was first introduced in 1945. Because of delays in delivery of production aircraft, the Shooting Star saw no actual combat during the war. It saw very limited service trying to find German Arado bombers. Its primary users were the United States Air Force, United States Navy. 

It was powered with 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet. P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star was able to produce a maximum speed of 594 mph (956 km/h, 516 kn) at sea level, a range of 825 mi (1,328 km, 717 nmi) and a service ceiling of 46,800 ft (14,300 m).

  • Year Introduced: 1945
  • Engine: 1 × Allison J33-A-35 centrifugal compressor turbojet
  • Max Speed: 594 mph (956 km/h, 516 kn) at sea level
  • Max Range: 825 mi (1,328 km, 717 nmi)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 46,800 ft (14,300 m)

Read AlsoTop 10 Fastest Aircraft Ever Recorded


2. Gloster Meteor

Gloster Meteor

At number 2, we have the Gloster Meteor. This was the first British jet fighter and the Allies' only jet aircraft to achieve combat operations. It was introduced on 27 July 1944, and primary users were Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Belgian Air Force and Argentine Air Force. 

Gloster Meteor was powered with 2 × Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 centrifugal flow turbojet engine, and his maximum recorded speed was 600 mph (970 km/h, 520 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m), maximum range was 600 mi (970 km, 520 nmi) and service ceiling was 43,000 ft (13,000 m).

  • Year Introduced: 27 July 1944
  • Engine: 2 × Rolls-Royce Derwent 8 centrifugal flow turbojet engine
  • Max Speed: 600 mph (970 km/h, 520 kn) at 10,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Max Range: 600 mi (970 km, 520 nmi)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 43,000 ft (13,000 m)



1. Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet

We have Messerschmitt Me-163 Komet as the fastest World War II aircraft. This was a rocket-powered interceptor aircraft. It was manufactured by Messerschmitt for primary usage of Luftwaffe. It was introduced on 1 September 1941.

It was powered with 1 × Helmut Walter Kiel Kommanditgesellschaft HWK 109-509A-2 bi-propellant liquid-fuelled rocket motor. Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet was able to produce a maximum speed of 900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn) at all altitudes, a service ceiling of 39,698 feet (12,100 m; 7.52 miles) and range of 25 miles (40 km; 22 nm).

  • Year Introduced: 1 September 1941
  • Engine: 1 × Helmut Walter Kiel Kommanditgesellschaft HWK 109-509A-2 bi-propellant liquid-fuelled rocket motor
  • Max Speed:  900 km/h (560 mph, 490 kn)
  • Max Range: 25 miles (40 km; 22 nm)
  • Max Service Ceiling: 39,698 feet (12,100 m; 7.52 miles)



Conclusion

This is the list for fastest world war 2 aircraft. If you're interested in military stuff, then you can check other articles regarding the military. We've also listed down Top 10 fighter jets in the worldTop 10 most powerful air forces in the world etc. 

Following are the fastest world war II aircraft:

  • Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet
  • Gloster Meteor
  • P-80 / F-80 Shooting Star
  • Messerschmitt Me-262
  • Heinkel He 162
  • de Havilland DH.103 Hornet
  • Dornier Do 335
  • Arado Ar 234
  • Grumman F8F Bearcat
  • North American P-51 Mustang

All the data above may not be 100% accurate. The data above is extracted from Wikipedia. If you find any mistake in the above list, then you're welcome to tell us in the comment section.

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