7 of the Least Effective Fighter Planes of WWII

World War II saw the production and deployment of some of the most formidable aircraft in military history. However, not every plane met the lofty expectations set for it. Some fighters, due to a variety of reasons ranging from rushed designs to poor materials, significantly underperformed. Here’s a look at seven such planes considered among the least effective of the war.

Caudron C.714

The Caudron C.714 was a lightweight fighter developed from a series of mid-1930s racing planes. While it boasted a respectable top speed of 301 mph from a mere 450 horsepower engine, the aircraft was a commercial failure in combat. Its limited range of 486 miles and slow climb to a mere 13,000 feet service ceiling rendered it less viable. Recognizing its inadequacy, France hastily withdrew it from active service on May 25, 1940, a brief week after it was introduced, and its production was halted. Some of these aircraft, however, were issued to a squadron of expatriate Poles who employed them to some effect in the dwindling days of the Battle of France.

Curtiss-Wright CW-21 Demon

Originally developed from a two-seat trainer (CW-19), the CW-21 Demon was marketed as the world’s fastest-climbing interceptor. Despite this claim, the U.S. Army Air Corps showed no interest. The aircraft did see limited action with the Chinese and the Dutch East Indies, but it was no match for its adversaries. According to First Lieutenant R.A.D. Anaemet, who commanded a squadron in Java, the CW-21B was “by no means a bad aircraft but simply surpassed…in nearly every important performance category by its opponents.” Its deficiencies, particularly in armor and firepower, led to its quick defeat.

Heinkel He-162 Salamander

The He-162 Salamander was a product of German desperation to create a cheap, effective jet-powered interceptor which could be piloted with minimal training. Designed primarily from wood because of resource constraints, the He-162 was rushed into production. Despite its innovative aspects, the aircraft failed to meet operational expectations and suffered from several mechanical failures, complicating German’s already faltering war effort.

Blackburn B-25 Roc

The Blackburn B-25 Roc, with its turret-mounted machine guns, was a British attempt to provide fighters with all-around defensive firepower. However, this feature compromised its performance as a fighter. Sluggish and poorly armed for offensive operations, the Roc quickly showed that it was not up to the task of engaging enemy aircraft efficiently, leading to its short-lived operational use.

Focke-Wulf Ta-154 Moskito

The German-made Focke-Wulf Ta-154 Moskito was intended to be a fast and lightweight night-fighter made mainly from wood. While promising on paper due to its use of glued wooden construction for speed in production, problems with the adhesive caused structural failures. It underperformed dramatically when compared to its expectations, largely due to these manufacturing flaws.

Messerschmitt Me-210

The Messerschmitt Me-210 was developed as a successor to the successful Bf 110. Unfortunately, it was plagued by design flaws that led to poor aerodynamic performance and instability. It was unpopular with pilots, who found it difficult to handle and unreliable. The Me-210 was quickly withdrawn from frontline service, although it later served as a test bed for improvements that led to the more successful Me-410.

Seversky P-35

The Seversky P-35 was an American single-seat fighter that demonstrated promise but was eclipsed by more advanced designs as the war progressed. Initially engaging in fights, its performance was deemed inadequate compared to its contemporaries. The aircraft struggled with maneuverability and speed, features that are critical in combat success, making it less effective as a competitive fighter plane.