Special Sub-Topic: Warplanes of WWII (Pt.2) Click Here To Play: Warplanes of WWII (Pt.2)

Which one of the following Focke Wulf Fw190 sub-types never existed?

Fw190D-4. I haven't yet been able to locate the reason why the D-9 was the first sub-type of the famous 'long-nosed' D series.

An unsuccesful aircraft that, after a radical redesign, became RAF's most known heavy bomber. What was the name of the Avro Lancaster's predecessor?

Manchester.

This very good-looking plane was the most modern bomber the Armee de l'Air (French AF) fielded in World War II.

LeO451. In fact the Loire et Olivier LeO451 and subsequent sub-models were such good airplanes that the Germans tried to keep them in production after the fall of France, but the assembly lines were never fully operational and the workmanship was poor (also due to sabotage). This meant that the Luftwafe only employed the type in the transport role.

What was the project name of the Luftwaffe's Mistel composite weapons system?

Beethoven. One of Hitler's 'secret weapons', the Mistel was an explosives-laden un-manned Ju88 with a fighter (Bf109 or Fw190) attached on its back. The fighter's pilot was piloting the combination to the target and then guided the flying bomb remotely. It was used mainly against the advancing Russian army to blow up bridges, streets etc.

It was the fastest P-47 Thunderbolt variant to see service (albeit only in small numbers). It had an uprated engine, reduced weight and aerodynamical improvements:

P-47M. Also known as the 'Superbolt'. To further reduce weight it sometimes carried only six guns and reduced ammo.

The US code-name for the Aichi D3A naval dive-bomber was:

Val. It was the Japanese equivalent to the German Ju87. Also the most lethal of the planes used during the first period of the Pacific War (mainly due to its' skilled crews). Together with the Nakajima B5N 'Kate', it formed the striking forces that attacked Pearl Harbor.

When the Japanese coupled a superb airframe with a German DB-601 inline engine, the Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien 'Tony' fighter came into being. It was a very important type (almost 3,000 produced) and proved to be a respected adversary also. It gave good service until the end of the war. Problems with the engine's production obliged the Japanese to seek alternatives. This they did with the powerful Ha-112 radial, an unlikely combination that produced the finest Japanese fighter of the war. What was the designation of the 'new' fighter?

Ki-100. In its' operational debut over Okinawa, the Ki-100 accounted for 14 Hellcats with no losses to its' side. But it was certainly a 'too little too late' affair. It went unnoticed by US intelligence which thought it was a Ki-84 subtype and thus it never got a code-name.

Which country's airforce, when invaded by Germany in 1941, fielded substantial numbers of Messerschmitt Bf109E's?

Yugoslavia. Yugoslavia was an established Axis ally that turned the other way suddenly. Over Yugoslavia's skies some very interesting 'Messerschmitt vs. Messerschmitt' dogfights took place. Friend-or-foe identification was (expectedly) low, and the AA gunners further reduced the ratio!

A US-built medium bomber the USAAF never operated (though it was assigned the code A-30). The whole production of 1575 planes were delivered to the RAF which used them in the Mediterranean theatre along with its French, Greek, South African and (later) Italian allies:

Baltimore.

The Fairey Swordfish was a true anachronism in FAA (Fleet Air Arm) service. It was loved by its' crews and proved its' worth in the Taranto raid, putting half the Italian fleet out of action. Its' planned successor was decidedly more modern, but didn't prove succesful and never replaced the Swordfish fully. What was its' name?

Albacore.

Many P-39's found their way to allied airforces. The Russian AF and RAF where some of the most important users. There was an occasion when 'British' P-39's where given back to the USAAF (receiving a new designation). What was that?

P-400.

Luftwaffe night-flyers. Although all the following planes did operate at night, one of them never had a radar installation:

Bf109.

Which of the following US Army fighters didn't fire its' guns in anger in US hands?

P-63 Kingcobra. P-36's were at Pearl Harbor, and their pilots fought gallantly. There were at least three night-fighter squadrons operational with P-70's from Guadalcanal and New Guinea in early 1943. P-63's where only used state-side. The bulk of the production was shipped to Russia.

Which of the following aircraft was NOT a British design?

Wirraway. The Commonwealth Wirraway was a modified North American NA-33 trainer produced in Australia.

Except the Regia Aeronautica (Italian AF), which other country's airforce operated the FIAT BR.20 Cicogna medium bomber in substantial numbers?

Japan. As a stop-gap measure until capable indigenous bombers where made available in numbers, the Imperial Japanese Army Airforce used the Italian bombers during their operations in China. Its code-name was 'Ruth'.