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Curtiss SB2C Helldiver The Helldiver was designed to carry torpedos, depth charges or bombs internally. It was larger and faster than the Dauntless but never quite achieved success as a dive bomber or the success of the larger Avenger as a torpedo bomber. Some variants were fitted with twin floats to operate as larger scouts and search and rescue planes for capitol ships in support of the lighter Kingfisher. (Also available with floats on request)

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Vought F4U Corsair Air supremacy was achieved by the United States when the Corsair and the Hellcat reached the front line. The Corsair with its distinctive "gull wings" was the first used by the British as a carrier based fighter. Later, the US Navy successfully used the Corsair in carrier based operations. Corsairs were also flown by the Marine pilots as well. The Corsair destroyed 2,140 enemy aircraft compared to only 189 combat losses. It continued to carry out tactical air support well into the jet age and the Korean War.

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Grumman TBF Avenger The Avenger was the best of the last torpedo bombers. It was one of the largest of all the US carrier based aircraft. Its deep fuselage allowed it to carry the large 21 inch torpedo or up to 2,000 lbs. of bombs. Its strong, durable air frame could absorb terrific punishment and remain serviceable. It did not get off to a successful start during the Battle of Midway. However, later, it became one of the main stays of the US Navy until the end of the war.

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Douglas Dauntless SBD Great importance was attached by the US Navy to the dive bomber. The Dauntless was the most famous. It saw service for the duration of the war and was successful from its inception. SBD’s launched from the carriers Enterprise and Yorktown were instrumental in the sinking of the carriers Akagi, Kaga, and the Hiryu on June 4, 1942 at the battle of Midway. These losses resulted in the turning point of the war against the Japanese.

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Lockheed P 38E Lightning Controversial from its inception, the P-38 was an important element in the American aerial arsenal in the European, North African and Pacific theaters throughout the war. It was one of the most powerful fighters, with two turbocharged engines and opposite rotating props. It saw use in reconnaissance, fighter, and night fighter versions. In 1943, a P-38 shot down Admiral Yamahoto, the originator of the plan to attack Pearl Harbor. With endurance and speed it was flown by some of the leading American aces.

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Grumman F6F Hellcat Big and beefy and not at all elegant, the Hellcat was one of the aircraft most responsible for the United States achievement of air superiority in the Pacific. Hellcats destroyed more than 6,000 hostile aircraft. The first delivery flew from the carrier Essex. They were used in great numbers during the battle of the Marina Islands "Turkey Shoot". The operational career of the aircraft continued unchecked for the duration of the war. After its introduction it fought in all the Air Battles of the Pacific. It earned a lasting reputation by its superiority over excellent Japanese fighters.

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Mitsubishi A6M3 Zero 32 The Japanese Navy type O fighter was in development six months before the war began. The Model 21 and 32 fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea. After the loss of the Japanese carrier force at Midway, the Japanese Navy was forced to operate from the Island of Guadacanal. To increase range the 32 was fitted with fuel tanks in the wings yet losses still continued because of insufficient range. Known for its "square" wingtips the 32 suffered heavy losses when the P38, Corsair, and Spitfire reached the Pacific theater. With superior maneuverability at low altitude it could hold its own against all allied aircraft.

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Aichi D3a Val In the surprise attack at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 the Val was the first Japanese aircraft to drop bombs on US targets. It enjoyed considerable success during the first year of the war and sank more allied shipping than any other single type Axis aircraft. The Val was considered one of the best dive bombers of the war. It placed approximately 87 percent of its bombs on target during the attacks on the British cruisers HMS Cornwall, HMS Dorsetshire, and the carrier HMS Hermes during the Indian Ocean campaign. In the battles of Midway and Coral Sea, heavy losses of the experienced crews, aircraft and carriers forced the Japanese to assign an most Vals to land based operations.

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Nakajima B5N Kate When the Pacific War began the Kate was the most modern carrier borne torpedo bomber in any air force. It was instrumental in crippling the US Navy’s battleship force at Pearl Harbor proving once and for all the effectiveness of air power. During the next year Kates delivered fatal blows to three US carriers, the Lexington, Yorktown, and Hornet. It participated in all Japanese carrier operations until replaced in 1944 by the Tenzan (Jill). During the 1944 Philippines campaign staggering losses from improved US fighter aircraft forced its relegation to maritime reconnaissance and patrol.

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Mitsubishi A6M5 Zero 52 This aircraft was possibly the most efficient of the Zero variants. One of the main reasons for its development was the previous Zeros had insufficient dive speed compared to the allied aircraft they faced. The Model 52 exhibited a dive speed of up to 410 mph. It reached the front in time to meet the US Hellcat F6F. It held its own against the less maneuverable Hellcat despite its insufficient armament, lack of armor and fuel tank protection. The Zero 52’s suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Hellcats during the Marianas "Turkey Shoot." Later the Zero 52 was used in devastating Kamikaze attacks. Still the Zero is considered by some to be the ultimate in fighter design and beauty.