During World War II, both Bomber Command (Royal Air Force) and the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) operated a variety of strategic bombers that played a crucial role in the war effort. These aircraft conducted bombing raids, reconnaissance missions, and air support operations across Europe and beyond.
Bomber Command Aircraft (RAF)
1. Avro Lancaster
- Role: Heavy Bomber
- Crew: 7
- Max Speed: 287 mph (462 km/h)
- Bomb Load: Up to 22,000 lbs
- Notable Missions: Dambusters Raid (Operation Chastise), Berlin Bombing Campaign
2. Handley Page Halifax
- Role: Heavy Bomber
- Crew: 7
- Max Speed: 282 mph (454 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 13,000 lbs
- Notable Missions: Night bombing raids over Germany, Special Operations Executive (SOE) missions
3. Vickers Wellington
- Role: Medium Bomber
- Crew: 6
- Max Speed: 235 mph (378 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 4,500 lbs
- Notable Missions: Early bombing raids over Germany, Coastal Command anti-submarine patrols
4. Short Stirling
- Role: Heavy Bomber
- Crew: 7
- Max Speed: 255 mph (410 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 14,000 lbs
- Notable Missions: Strategic bombing, paratrooper transport
U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) Aircraft
1. Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
- Role: Heavy Bomber
- Crew: 10
- Max Speed: 287 mph (462 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 17,600 lbs
- Notable Missions: Schweinfurt-Regensburg Raid, Berlin Bombing Campaign
2. Consolidated B-24 Liberator
- Role: Heavy Bomber
- Crew: 10
- Max Speed: 290 mph (467 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 8,000 lbs
- Notable Missions: Ploesti Oil Field Raid, Strategic bombing over Europe
3. North American B-25 Mitchell
- Role: Medium Bomber
- Crew: 6
- Max Speed: 275 mph (443 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 6,000 lbs
- Notable Missions: Doolittle Raid, Close air support in Italy and the Pacific
4. Martin B-26 Marauder
- Role: Medium Bomber
- Crew: 7
- Max Speed: 315 mph (507 km/h)
- Bomb Load: 4,800 lbs
- Notable Missions: Tactical bombing in France, Battle of the Bulge