Designed in 1940 by North American Aviation Company in response to a British request, the P-51 Mustang was unsatisfactory with the original Allison engine. Once fitted with the British Rolls-Royce Merlin engine, the Mustang became one of the best fighters of the war, with excellent performance, range, and firepower.
2. Thunderbolt
Answer: WW2 American Fighters
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt was a heavy, rugged, single-seat fighter first introduced in late 1942. Well armed and able to withstand heavy damage, the Thunderbolt was the main American fighter in the European Theater until superseded by the Mustang in 1944. The Thunderbolt was also used very successfully as a tactical fighter-bomber and saw action in every theater of the war.
3. Lightning
Answer: WW2 American Fighters
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a twin-engined fighter first introduced in 1941. Well-armed and fast, the Lightning was used as a fighter, fighter-bomber, and reconnaissance plane in both the Pacific and European theaters. The Lightning was not very successful as a dogfighter and was replaced in this role by the Thunderbolt and Mustang.
4. Warhawk
Answer: WW2 American Fighters
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, introduced in 1939, was the main American Army Air Forces fighter at the beginning of WW2. Inferior to most German fighters, the Warhawk saw action mostly in North Africa, China, and the Pacific. It was called the Tomahawk or Kittyhawk in British and Soviet service. The Warhawk was mostly used as a close support aircraft from 1943 on.
5. Schooner
Answer: Small ship types
The schooner is a small sailing vessel with at least two masts. The type first appeared in Northern Europe in the early 1600s. The schooner was mostly used as a fast cargo ship, fishing vessel, ship-to-shore communication, and coast guard and revenue service duties. Many modern yachts and other pleasure boats are schooners.
6. Sloop
Answer: Small ship types
A sloop Is a small sailing vessel with a single mast. The exact origin of the type is unknown, but the modern word "sloop" is derived from Dutch. Sloops were used for fishing and as fast cargo ships, and, when rigged as a cutter, for coastal patrol duties. Most modern types of sloop are used purely as pleasure boats.
7. Brigantine
Answer: Small ship types
The vessel known as a brigantine had its origin in two-masted Mediterranean ships that were also oar-powered. Fast and maneuverable, brigantines were used by pirates and as as cargo ships.
In Northern Europe, the term came to mean a type of rigging, rather than a specific type of ship, by the 1700s. The brigantine was bigger and faster than either the schooner or sloop.
8. Barque
Answer: Small ship types
A barque is a type of sailing vessel with at least three masts. Larger than a schooner, sloop, or brigantine, the term barque came to mean a type of rigging on any three masted vessel. The barque was used as a civilian cargo ship and as a fast patrol ship by many 17th-19th century navies. The main role of the barque today is as a sailing school ship.
9. Matilda
Answer: WW2 British tanks
Officially known as the Infantry Tank Mark II, the Matilda inherited the name from its predecessor, the machine-gun armed Infantry Tank Mark I, which was phased out in 1940. The Mark II was in keeping with the British concept of a tank designed to support the infantry, a slow, heavily armored vehicle with a medium (40mm) gun.
The Matilda was used mostly in North Africa, where its heavy armor was proof against most Axis tank and anti-tank guns. The type was phased out in Europe by 1943, but saw action in the Pacific until the end of the war.
10. Valentine
Answer: WW2 British tanks
The Tank, Infantry, Mark III, nicknamed the Valentine, was the replacement for the Mark II Matilda infantry tank. The Valentine was very similar to the Matilda, slow and well armored, and carried the same 40mm main gun. The Valentine was in service from 1941 on, mostly used in North Africa and Italy by the British, but large numbers were supplied to the Soviet Union, and Valentines were also used in the Pacific.
The tank was mostly phased out by 1944.
11. Churchill
Answer: WW2 British tanks
The Tank, Infantry, Mark IV, also known as the Churchill, was the last infantry tank designed and built by the British. Larger and more heavily armored than the previous Matilda and Valentine tanks, the first Churchills carried the same increasingly ineffective 40mm main gun.
The tank was up-gunned before the Normandy invasion, and the Churchill performed well in the Allied campaign against Germany. A few Churchills were also supplied to the Soviets. The type was retired by 1952.
12. Comet
Answer: WW2 British tanks
Officially designated the Tank, Cruiser, Comet I, the vehicle was the last cruiser type tank built by the British. Designed for tank-on-tank combat rather than as an infantry support vehicle, the Comet was fast and well armored, and the main gun could outperform the German Panther tank's cannon. Arriving in Europe in late 1944, the Comet did not see extensive action in WW2, and the design was soon rendered obsolete by the development of the main battle tank.
13. Huey
Answer: U.S. Military Helicopters
The Bell UH-1 Iroquois is an American helicopter first designed in the late 1950s. Continually upgraded since its introduction, it has served in the troop transport, air ambulance, cargo helicopter, and ground attack roles. The Huey has become an iconic symbol of the Vietnam War, where over 7,000 units were deployed. It was finally phased out of U.S. service in 2016.
14. Chinook
Answer: U.S. Military Helicopters
The CH-47 Chinook is a large cargo helicopter that first entered service in 1962. Fast and capable of carrying a payload of up to 24,000 pounds, the "Jolly Green Giant" has also been used as a troop transport by the military, and as a passenger transport, disaster relief vehicle, and in firefighting duties by civilian operators.
The Chinook has been exported to over 30 foreign countries for both civilian and military use. It is still in production.
15. Cobra
Answer: U.S. Military Helicopters
The American AH-1 Cobra is a development of the UH-1 Iroquois utility helicopter, but was re-designed as a dedicated attack helicopter. It first saw service in 1967 during the Vietnam War and was exported to several other countries. The Cobra was phased out of U.S. military service in 2001, but is still in limited service with foreign militaries.
The Cobra has also been used as a firefighting helicopter in the U.S. and other countries.
16. Apache
Answer: U.S. Military Helicopters
Designed in the 1970s as a replacement for the AH-1 Cobra, the AH-64 Apache began equipping U.S. attack helicopter units in 1986. The Apache was used very successfully in the 1991 Persian Gulf War, destroying over 500 Iraqi tanks and armored vehicles for the loss of only one Apache.
The helicopter has also seen more recent combat in Afghanistan and Iraq. The Apache has also been exported to over 15 foreign countries.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor spanishliz before going online.
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