The Consolidated B-24 was one of the most widely-used bombers during World War II, with nearly 20,000 built. In 1943, Consolidated merged with Vultee Aircraft and became Convair, which would later produce new bombers for the US Air Force.
2. Hawker Aircraft
Answer: Hurricane
Despite shouldering the brunt of the German Luftwaffe during the Battle of Britain, the Hawker Hurricane is sometimes unfairly overlooked because of the Spitfire's fame. Hawker Aircraft went out of business after several mergers created British Aircraft Company in the early 1960s.
3. North American Aviation
Answer: F-100 Super Sabre
More famous as the manufacturer of the P-51 Mustang, North American Aviation, like many airplane manufacturers, had a difficult time adjusting to the post-World War II economy. It was eventually bought by Rockwell International, which in turn became a subsidiary of Boeing.
4. Fokker
Answer: D.VII
While technically a Dutch manufacturer, Fokker was selling some of their aircraft to Germany after World War I, violating the Treaty of Versailles. The D.VII is reputed to have been so dangerous to engage in combat that it became the only aircraft specifically prohibited for use in the German air force, and all remaining aircraft were to be turned over to the Allied powers.
5. Focke-Wulf AG
Answer: Fw-190 Würger
The Fw-190 became the backbone of the Luftwaffe during World War II. It was superior in nearly every aspect to the Spitfire, until the Spitfire Mk. IX was introduced in late 1942. After several mergers after the war, the company became part of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, now a subsidiary of Airbus.
6. Republic Aviation
Answer: P-47 Thunderbolt
The P-47 Thunderbolt became the primary fighter-bomber of the US Army Air Force, capable of carrying 2,500 pounds of bombs, eight .50 caliber machine guns, as well as air-to-ground rockets. It was considered one of the best fighters produced, along with the P-38 Lightning and P-51 Mustang. The P-47 was also the most-produced aircraft by the US during World War II.
7. Canadair
Answer: CL-13 Sabre
The Canadair Sabre was a variant of the F-86 Sabre that was built by North American Aviation in the early 1950s. Canadair merged with the US Electric Boat Company and formed General Dynamics in 1952. It was eventually bought by Bombardier Aerospace in the late 1980s.
8. Convair
Answer: B-36 Peacemaker
The B-36 Peacemaker was the largest piston-driven airplane ever built, with a wing span of about 230 feet. It was in operation between 1949 and 1959, when it was replaced by the B-52 Stratofortress. Convair was eventually bought by General Dynamics, who shut down Convair in 1996.
9. Atlas Aircraft Corporation
Answer: Cheetah
Founded in 1965 as a means to work around the UN embargo established in 1963, Atlas Aircraft created a variant of France's Mirage III called the Cheetah. Working closely with Israel, which was also under an embargo, South Africa upgraded their fleet of Mirage III fighters, thus circumventing the UN-imposed embargo.
10. Messerschmitt
Answer: Bf-109
Initially founded as Bayrische Flugzeugwerke (Bf), Messerschmitt initially didn't have the rights to earlier Bf aircraft, which is why the Bf-109 was referred to as the Messerschmitt Bf-109. The Bf-109 is said to have been the most produced airplane during World War II, with over 35,000 built.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor stedman before going online.
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