Today, several nations are remembering the impact of World War I and World War II. Veterans Day, Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day is a time to look back at the lessons learned and honor those who sacrificed their lives.
While Veterans Day is on the anniversary of the end of World War I, it soon became a day to honor all veterans in the military. The legacy of World War II remains prevalent across the aviation spectrum, with several breakthroughs occurring within the forces of the time. Not only did aerospace play a crucial part in key battles that occurred during this period, but the landscape of the industry would change forever once the war was over.
A new era of war
Even though planes and zeppelins were in the air during World War I, aerial warfare played an even more prominent role during the Second World War. Key events such as the Blitz, the Battle of Britain, the attack on Pearl Harbor, and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were all aerial operations.
Warfare often catalyzes the application of modern technology. With so much at stake between 1939 and 1945, militaries turned to new tools to get one over their opponents. After the ceasefire, businesses put them to commercial use during peacetime.
Which World War II Military Aircraft Have You Seen?
While it’s been eight decades since the fighting ended, WWII aircraft have been preserved at museums and airfields around the world. Which planes have you spotted from this period?
Rise in production
Before WWII, aircraft manufacturers were growing smoothly as more companies and individuals started to turn their attention to the skies. However, governmental needs during the war meant that the likes of Boeing had to scale up their operations at a rapid rate. Work sites became more extensive, meaning more workers saw employment within the industry.
Altogether, 👁 Image
Boeing and its partners produced a staggering 98,965 aircraft during this period, including the historic B-17 Flying Fortress. According to The National WWII Museum, production went from 60 B-17s a month in 1942, to 362 a month in 1944.
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was also an integral force. One of the 3,970 units produced is none other than Enola Gay, the first aircraft to drop an atomic bomb in the history of war in the form of Little Boy.
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The Enola Gay sits on display today, but it took a long road to get there.
It wasn't only the Allied Forces that were busy with production scaling. Notably, Germany ramped up the manufacturing of Heinkel He 111 from 808 units before the war to 5,656 during it.
Therefore, once the war was over, the firm was ready to turn its attention to the needs of other sectors in the nation. Since there were countless aerodynamically efficient military planes on the ground after the war, firms saw the opportunity to convert them into passenger and cargo units.
Set for jets
The German Heinkel He178 took off from Marienehe aerodrome on August 27th, 1939, becoming the first-ever jet-powered aircraft. Soon after, Anselm Franz developed the Jumo 004 engine, which had an axial-flow turbojet. This engine was used in the Messerschmitt Me262 in 1942, which the first jet fighter in the skies during this war.
Moreover, in March 1943, British authorities formed the Brabazon Committee. This group had the job of determining the UK's aircraft needs after the conclusion of the war.
This situation eventually led to the formation of the first-ever commercial jet service on May 2nd, 1952. The British Overseas Aircraft Corporation (BOAC) flew a Havilland DH 106 Comet from London to Johannesburg.
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While fighter jets didn't clash directly in WWII, they were coming into service by the end of the conflict, and the jet fighter age had dawned.
The jet engine would go on to become one of the most revolutionary technologies in aviation history. It is still the preferred engine of choice for most airlines across the world. Many plane types uphold other modern staples such as swept wings.
The impact on ground operations
The increase in aerial activity led to the upscaling of facilities. Existing sites such as the UK's Croydon Airport reverted to Royal Air Force control for the war. This hub became a major Battle of Britain airfield with Hurricanes and Spitfires in operation. It, as well as several other airfields, were transformed into passenger aerodromes after the conflict ended.
As Historic Croydon Airport shared:
"The run up to the Second World War saw a massive increase in passenger numbers as British holidaymakers and refugees rushed to leave mainland Europe. In the final days of August 1939 before the outbreak of war, Croydon saw passenger numbers increase threefold to 1500 passengers a day. On the 30th August 1939, Croydon reverted back to its original role of defending Britain from aerial attack and became Royal Air Force Station Croydon.
"On 1st September civil airlines moved out, with Imperial Airways re-locating it’s fleet to Whitchurch Airport, Bristol. London Croydon Airport began preparations for the inevitable outbreak of war with Germany. RAF Croydon became a satellite airfield to RAF Kenley and fell under the control of 11 Group, Fighter Command."
Keep up with the latest Simple Flying coverage of military aviation here.
Signaling change
Radio detection and ranging, commonly known as radar, played a critical role during the war. The Imperial War Museum notes that that the technology could pick up incoming enemy aircraft at a range of 80 miles (129 km) and helped give early warnings of attacks in the Battle of Britain.
RAF pilots soon used it within aircraft to identify hostile targets. Authorities soon splashed more money into research to advance these systems. Today, the globe's air traffic control network is still heavily radar-based.
Lasting impact
Ultimately, the effects of WWII are still felt in several ways. From politics to business, significant shifts took place. Not only did the war change global systems in the decades that followed, but it also revolutionized the aviation industry.