List of World War II military aircraft of Germany

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This list covers aircraft of the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. Numerical designations are largely within the RLM designation system.

Contents

The Luftwaffe officially existed from 1933–1945 but training had started in the 1920s, before the Nazi seizure of power, and many aircraft made in the inter-war years were used during World War II. The most significant aircraft that participated in World War II are highlighted in blue. Pre-war aircraft not used after 1938 are excluded, as are projects and aircraft that did not fly. The listed roles are the primary roles of the aircraft during World War II – many obsolete pre-war combat aircraft remained in use as trainers rather than in their original more familiar roles. Captured or acquired aircraft are listed separately as many were used only for evaluation while those available in large enough numbers were commonly used as trainers, while a small number were usen the Reich Aviation Ministry's list of aircraft at list of RLM aircraft designations and a full explanation is at RLM aircraft designation system. A small number of surviving pre-1933 aircraft were overlooked by the RLM system and just used the company names or designations.

Luftwaffe aircraft

The primary types operated by the Luftwaffe are shown highlighted, with the most numerous in bold.

RLM #AircraftRoleProduction
Status
# built/used1st FlightNotes
192 AGO Ao 192 Kuriertransportproduction61935used by senior officials
66 Arado Ar 66 trainerproduction14561932biplane
68 Arado Ar 68 trainer/night-fighterproduction5111934biplane, obsolete by 1939
76 Arado Ar 76 trainerproduction1891934biplane
80 Arado Ar 80 experimentalprototype31935used to test Fowler flaps
95 Arado Ar 95 trainingproduction271936seaplane, built for export
96 Arado Ar 96 trainerproduction28911938
196 Arado Ar 196 reconnaissanceproduction5411937ship-borne seaplane
197 Arado Ar 197 fighterprototype31937carrier aircraft derived from Ar 68
198 Arado Ar 198 reconnaissanceprototype11938
199 Arado Ar 199 trainerprototype21939seaplane
213 Arado Ar 231 reconnaissanceprototype61940folds to fit on U-boat
232 Arado Ar 232 Tausendfüßlertransportproduction201941
234 Arado Ar 234 Blitzreconnaissance/bomberproduction2101943Bomber Jet
240 Arado Ar 240 fighterprototype141940
440 Arado Ar 440 fighterprototype419421 converted from Ar 240
349 Bachem Ba 349 Natterinterceptorproduction361945rocket, only 1 manned flight attempted
40 Blohm & Voss BV 40 Ersatzjägerinterceptorprototype71944glider
138 Blohm & Voss BV 138 Seedrachemaritime patrolproduction2971937diesel trimotor flying-boat
139 Blohm & Voss Ha 139 transportprototype31936long-range seaplane
140 Blohm & Voss Ha 140 maritime patrolprototype31937flying-boat
141 Blohm & Voss BV 141 reconnaissanceprototype281938asymmetrical
142 Blohm & Voss BV 142 maritime patrol/transportprototype41938
144 Blohm & Voss BV 144 transportprototype11944
155 Blohm & Voss BV 155 interceptorprototype31944built to counter B-29
222 Blohm & Voss BV 222 Wikingtransportproduction131940six-engined flying-boat
238 Blohm & Voss BV 238 maritime patrolprototype11944six-engined flying-boat,
largest Axis aircraft flown
131 Bücker Bü 131 Jungmanntrainerproduction5000 ca.1934biplane, also used for night harassment
133 Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeistertrainerproduction250 ca.1935aerobatic biplane
180 Bücker Bü 180 Studenttrainerproduction501937
181 Bücker Bü 181 Bestmanntrainerproduction34001939
182 Bücker Bü 182 Kornetttrainerprototype41938
313 Caproni Ca.313Gtrainerproduction1641939purchased from Italy.
38 DFS SG 38 Schulgleitertrainerproduction10000 ca.1938glider, widely copied
228 DFS 228 reconnaissanceprototype21944rocket-powered, unpowered flights only
230 DFS 230 transportproduction1600 ca.1937glider
331 DFS 331 transportprototype11942glider
11 Dornier Do 11 bomberproduction3721932
12 Dornier Do 12 Libelletrainerprototype11932impressed seaplane
16 Dornier Do 16 Waltrainingproduction461922flying-boat, most retired by 1939
17 Dornier Do 17 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction21391934
18 Dornier Do 18 maritime patrolproduction1701935flying-boat
19 Dornier Do 19 transportprototype31936only 1 flown, built as heavy bomber
22 Dornier Do 22 maritime patrolproduction30 ca.1938built for export
23 Dornier Do 23 bomberproduction2821934withdrawn after invasion of Poland
24 Dornier Do 24 maritime patrolproduction2181937flying boat, was for export
26 Dornier Do 26 reconnaissanceproduction61938long-range seaplane
215 Dornier Do 215 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction1051938
217 Dornier Do 217 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction19251938
317 Dornier Do 317 bomberprototype61943 Bomber B
335 Dornier Do 335 Pfeilfighter/bomberproduction371943push-pull engines
5 Fieseler Fi 5 trainerproduction29 ca.1933acrobatic sportsplane
103 Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenbergmanned bombproduction1751944manned variant of V-1 missile
156 Fieseler Fi 156 Storchreconnaissanceproduction28671936
167 Fieseler Fi 167 bomberproduction141938ship-borne biplane
256 Fieseler Fi 256 transportprototype6–91941
184 Flettner Fl 184 reconnaissanceprototype11936helicopter
282 Flettner Fl 282 Kolibrireconnaissanceproduction241941 Synchropter helicopter
223 Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drachetransportproduction201940helicopter
330 Focke-Achgelis Fa 330 reconnaissanceproduction2001942autogyro kite, rarely used
152 Focke-Wulf Ta 152 fighterproduction491944improved Fw 190, production curtailed
154 Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskitonight-fighterproduction30 ca.1943development curtailed
44 Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitztrainerproduction1700 ca.1932biplane, widely exported
56 Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stössertrainerproduction1000 ca.1933parasol monoplane
58 Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihetrainerproduction13501935
61 Focke-Wulf Fw 61 experimentalprototype21936twin rotor helicopter
62 Focke-Wulf Fw 62 reconnaissanceprototype41937ship-borne biplane seaplane
186 Focke-Wulf Fw 186 reconnaissanceprototype11937autogyro
187 Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falkefighterprototype91937
189 Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhureconnaissanceproduction8641938
190 Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würgerfighterproduction20000 ca.1939many exported to client states
191 Focke-Wulf Fw 191 bomberprototype31942 Bomber B
200 Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condormaritime patrol/transportproduction2761937originally airliner, some exported
145 Gotha Go 145 trainerproduction11821934
146 Gotha Go 146 transportprototype41936
147 Gotha Go 147 experimentalprototype11936tailless
242 Gotha Go 242 transportproduction15281941glider
244 Gotha Go 244 transportproduction1761941powered Go 242, 133 converted
345 Gotha Go 345 transportprototype11944glider
430 Gotha Ka 430 transportprototype121943glider
46 Heinkel He 46 trainerproduction5121931parasol recon. Used for night harassment raids.
50 Heinkel He 50 reconnaissance/bomberproduction781931biplane
51 Heinkel He 51 trainerproduction7001933obsolete fighter, few remained by 1939
59 Heinkel He 59 reconnaissanceproduction1441931biplane seaplane
60 Heinkel He 60 reconnaissanceproduction2051933ship-borne biplane seaplane
70 Heinkel He 70 Blitztransportproduction151932
72 Heinkel He 72 Kadetttrainerproduction2000 ca.1933
100 Heinkel He 100 fighterproduction251938also used He 113 designation
111 Heinkel He 111 bomber/transportproduction56561935many exported
112 Heinkel He 112 fighterproduction1041935
114 Heinkel He 114 reconnaissanceproduction29 ca.1936seaplane
115 Heinkel He 115 bomberproduction1381937seaplane, some exported.
116 Heinkel He 116 reconnaissanceprototype141937
119 Heinkel He 119 high-speed reconnaissanceprototype81937
162 Heinkel He 162 Spatzlight jet fighterproduction3201944jet, Volksjäger winner
172 Heinkel He 172 trainerprototype11934He 72 with NACA cowling
177 Heinkel He 177 Greifheavy/strategic bomberproduction11691939engine problems until major redesign
219 Heinkel He 219 Uhunight-fighterproduction300 ca.1942
280 Heinkel He 280 fighterprototype91940jet
123 Henschel Hs 123 ground attackproduction2501935
125 Henschel Hs 125 trainerprototype21934
126 Henschel Hs 126 reconnaissanceproduction600 ca.1936
127 Henschel Hs 127 bomberprototype21937
128 Henschel Hs 128 experimentalprototype21939high-altitude test aircraft
129 Henschel Hs 129 ground attackproduction8651939
130 Henschel Hs 130 bomberprototype131939high-altitude
229 Horten Ho 229 fighterprototype31944jet flying wing, only one flown under power
n/a Junkers W34 trainerproduction202419261920s transport.
52 Junkers Ju 52 Tante Jutransportproduction48451931 Spanish Civil War bomber, widely exported
86 Junkers Ju 86 bomber/reconnaissanceproduction6321934
87 Junkers Ju 87 Stukabomberproduction65001935many exported to client states
88 Junkers Ju 88 bomber/night-fighterproduction151831936variants filled numerous roles
89 Junkers Ju 89 bomberprototype21937originally Ural bomber
90 Junkers Ju 90 transportproduction181937
188 Junkers Ju 188 Rächerbomberproduction12341940
252 Junkers Ju 252 transportproduction151942
287 Junkers Ju 287 bomberprototype21944jet
288 Junkers Ju 288 bomberprototype221940 Bomber B design winner
290 Junkers Ju 290 maritime patrol/transportproduction651942
322 Junkers Ju 322 Mammuttransportprototype21941glider
352 Junkers Ju 352 Herkulestransportproduction501943
388 Junkers Ju 388 reconnaissance/bomberproduction101 ca.1943fighter variants also planned
390 Junkers Ju 390 bomberprototype21943 Amerika Bomber
31 Klemm Kl 31 trainerproduction301931
35 Klemm Kl 35 trainerproduction2000 ca.1935sportplane, many exported
36 Klemm Kl 36 transportproduction12 ca.1934
108 Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifuntrainerproduction8851934many exported
109 Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighterproduction339841935many exported to client states
110 Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörerfighterproduction61701936
162 Messerschmitt Bf 162 Jaguarbomberprototype31937
163 Messerschmitt Bf 163 reconnaissanceprototype11938designation reused for interceptor
163 Messerschmitt Me 163 Kometinterceptorproduction3701944rocket
209 Messerschmitt Me 209 racerprototype41938
209 Messerschmitt Me 209-II fighterprototype41943unrelated to previous Me 209
210 Messerschmitt Me 210 fighterproduction1081939
261 Messerschmitt Me 261 Adolfinereconnaissanceprototype31940
262 Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbefighterproduction1400 ca.1941jet
263 Messerschmitt Me 263 interceptorprototype11944rocket, did not fly under power
264 Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerika bomberprototype31942
309 Messerschmitt Me 309 fighterprototype41942
321 Messerschmitt Me 321 Giganttransportproduction2001941glider
323 Messerschmitt Me 323 Giganttransportproduction1981942powered variant of Me 321
328 Messerschmitt Me 328 fighterprototype91944pulse jet
410 Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornissefighter/reconnaissanceproduction11891942improved Me 210
104 Siebel Fh 104 Halloretransportproduction461937
201 Siebel Si 201 reconnaissanceprototype21938
202 Siebel Si 202 Hummeltrainerproduction661938sportplane
204 Siebel Si 204 trainerproduction12161940also used as transport

Captured or acquired aircraft

NameSourceLuftwaffe Role# (if known)Notes
Avia B-534 CzechoslovakiatrainerThree modified for carrier trials. Some sold.
Avia B-71 Czechoslovakiabomber61 SB-2 + 111 B.71Later ones manufactured as target tugs, some sold to Bulgaria
AVIA FL.3 Italytrainer145Sent to flying schools in Austria.
Bloch M.B.175 Francebomber
Bloch M.B.151 Francefighter/trainerVichy MB.152 also transferred to Luftwaffe In 1942.
Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress USspecial operationsUsed by special units such as KG 200.
Cant Z.506 Italysearch & rescueused from 1943 with mixed Italian/German crews.
Cant Z.1007 Italytransportused from 1943
Caudron C.445 Goéland Francetransport
Curtiss H-75 Hawk France & NorwayfighterUsed pending delivery of Bf 109's. Some sold to Finland.
Dewoitine D.520 Francetrainer182Some sold.
Douglas 8A-3N Netherlandstrainer3 ca.
Douglas DC-2 Netherlandstransport3ex-KLM aircraft
Fiat CR.42 Falco Italyground attack
/night fighter
112+from 1943, flown by NSGr.9 [1] and JG.107
Fiat G.50/BItalytrainer
unk.from 1943, flown by 7th Nacht Schlacht Gruppe based in Croatia [2]
Fokker C.V Varioustrainerunk.
Fokker C.X Netherlandstrainerunk.
Fokker D.XXI Netherlandsfighter
Fokker T.VIII Netherlandsmaritime patrolfloatplane
Fokker G.I Netherlandstrainersome used in 1941 for Bf 110 crews.
Gloster Gladiator Latvia via USSRtrainer1captured from Soviets, glider/target tug.
Hawker Hurricane France, Jugoslavia & N. AfricafamiliarizationNot used for combat.
Ilyushin Il-2 USSRn/anever used
Lioré et Olivier LeO 451 Francetransport39+from May 1943, flown by IV./TG4. [3]
Lockheed P-38 Lightning USAfighter1provided by defector.
Macchi MC.202 Italytrainer47used from 1943. Some transferred to Croatia.
Macchi MC.205 Italyfighter25used from 1944. II/JG 77
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3 USSRn/aTried to sell 22 to Finland
Morane-Saulnier M.S.230 Francetrainer
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406 Francetrainer46+25 sold to Finland in 1941
Nakajima E8N Japanreconnaissance seaplane1employed on the German auxiliary cruiser Orion
North American NAA 57 Francetrainer
North American NAA 64 FrancetrainerMost received in crates
PZL.37 Łoś Polandn/atested but not used
Rogožarski IK-3 Yugoslaviafighter
Reggiane Re.2002 Italyfighter25from 1943, Reggiane ordered to build more
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Italytransportused from 1943.
Savoia-Marchetti SM.82 Italytransport430used 1942–1945. [4]
Supermarine Spitfire United Kingdomfighter
Zlín Z-XII & 212 Czechoslovakiatrainer

See also

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References

Notes
  1. Skulski 2007, p. 79
  2. Arena 1979, p. 519
  3. "Flugzeugbestand und Bewegungsmeldungen, IV./TG4".
  4. Pini 1994, p.1.
Bibliography