10 of the Best WWII Aircraft That Never Made It to Battle

World War II was a time when the skies became a critical battlefield, with innovations coming at a rapid pace. Yet, not all the incredible aircraft designed during this period saw combat. Some of these planes were potentially game-changers but were never built due to various reasons such as lack of resources, changing military needs, or technological challenges. Here are ten remarkable aircraft from World War II that never made their mark in battle.

1. Miles M.20

The M.20 was a unique aircraft, designed swiftly to meet the urgent needs of Britain during a critical time. Despite its simplicity, the M.20 boasted impressive features, such as a wooden structure to save on metal and a bubble canopy for better visibility. Armed heavily with 12 machine guns, it had a longer range and could carry more fuel, outmatching the Hurricane and rivalling the Spitfire in speed. Unfortunately, it was seen as an emergency solution and wasn’t produced due to the sufficient numbers of other fighters.

2. Fiat G.56

When Italy was under German control, the G.56 was created, a powerful plane with a strong engine and remarkable speed. It was an improvement over its predecessor, the G.55, and captured the interest of German high command due to its superior performance in tests. Despite its promising features, the aircraft was not put into production. The required engine was scarce, and the manufacturing resources were already stretched thin.

3. Mitsubishi Ki 83

The Mitsubishi Ki 83 was a high-speed, agile fighter, designed for high-altitude, long-range missions. Its performance was unmatched by any other Japanese aircraft, making it a formidable machine. However, it arrived too late in the war, and production resources were diverted to other types more critical at the moment.

4. Focke-Wulf Fw 187 ‘Falke’

The Fw 187 ‘Falke’ was a fast and light escort fighter, smaller than its counterpart, the Bf 110. Its design was innovative, but the German Air Force did not have an interest in this type of aircraft. Despite its excellent performance, the Fw 187 was sidelined as the Luftwaffe preferred heavy, multi-role fighters.

5. Grumman F5F ‘Skyrocket’

The F5F ‘Skyrocket’ was an American carrier-based fighter with a unique design and promising capabilities. It was meant to improve upon existing aircraft with better speed and maneuverability but was eventually overshadowed by the development of the F6F Hellcat, which met the Navy’s needs more closely.

6. Heinkel He 280

The Heinkel He 280 was a pioneer, the world’s first jet-powered fighter aircraft. Despite its groundbreaking technology and impressive speed, the German Air Force decided against it, favoring the rival Me 262. The He 280 missed its chance to become a significant player in aerial combat.

7. Martin-Baker MB.3/MB.5

The Martin-Baker MB.3 and its later variant, the MB.5, were British fighters that showed incredible potential with their powerful engines and advanced design. However, they did not proceed beyond the prototype stage. The focus shifted to other projects, leaving these ambitious designs as what-ifs in aviation history.

8. Polikarpov I-185

The Polikarpov I-185 was a Soviet fighter that could have been a major asset due to its powerful engine and robust armament. Unfortunately, production was never realized, partly because of the developer’s untimely death and the focus on aircraft that were already in mass production.

9. Beechcraft XA-38 Grizzly

The XA-38 Grizzly was an American bomber destroyer designed to be heavily armed and armored to take on tough targets. With its formidable weaponry and ability to carry a large bomb load, it could have been a significant addition to the U.S. arsenal. However, the end of the war and a focus on other aircraft types prevented it from going into production.

10. Heinkel He 100

This German fighter was incredibly fast and set several speed records. The He 100 was often used for propaganda to mislead enemies about its capabilities and numbers. Despite its speed and prowess, it never entered combat, overshadowed by other fighter aircraft in the German fleet.