8 Worst Non-Fighter Planes of World War II

Aircraft became a decisive factor in World War II, allowing nations to strike at distant targets and reshape battle strategies. While many planes revolutionized warfare, others failed to meet expectations due to poor design or outdated technology. Below are eight non-fighter planes that struggled to perform effectively during the war.

Blackburn Botha

The Blackburn Botha entered service in 1939 as a reconnaissance and torpedo bomber. Designed to locate enemy ships and launch torpedo attacks, it quickly gained a reputation for being unsafe. Pilots criticized its cramped cockpit, which restricted visibility and had no rear windows, making it difficult to track enemies during missions. The plane’s top speed of 249 mph was far too slow for a bomber, especially one that relied on surprise to evade anti-aircraft fire. Compounding its flaws was its heavy, unstable airframe, which made controlling the plane during flights and landings exceptionally challenging.

After just 18 months of service, the Botha was reclassified as a trainer aircraft. However, even in this less demanding role, its unstable design caused a high number of fatal crashes. Despite attempts to improve its performance, the Botha’s flaws left it sidelined for the remainder of the war.

Fairey Battle

The Fairey Battle represented a step forward for British aviation in the 1930s, featuring a powerful Rolls Royce Merlin engine that delivered 1,030 horsepower. However, by the time World War II began, the plane had become obsolete. Its large, single-engine airframe left it severely underpowered, limiting its top speed to just 241 mph. This slowness made it an easy target for both enemy fighters and ground-based anti-aircraft guns.

The Battle’s inadequacy was tragically demonstrated during the Battle of France in 1940. British pilots flying Fairey Battles faced heavy losses, with nearly 100 planes destroyed in a single week. After these devastating losses, the aircraft was withdrawn from front-line service and relegated to training roles. Although it introduced technologies later used in more advanced designs, the Fairey Battle struggled to meet the demands of modern combat.

Douglas TBD Devastator

When introduced in 1937, the Douglas TBD Devastator was considered one of the most advanced torpedo bombers in the world. However, advancements in enemy aircraft and weapons quickly rendered it vulnerable. Its top speed of 206 mph was inadequate by wartime standards, and it had to slow down to 115 mph to drop torpedoes, leaving it highly exposed to enemy fire.

The shortcomings of the Devastator were brutally exposed during the Battle of Midway in 1942. During this pivotal engagement, nearly all Devastators sent into battle were destroyed by Japanese forces, with only a handful of planes returning to their carriers. These losses highlighted its inability to survive in modern combat, and it was retired shortly afterward in favor of newer designs.

Heinkel He-177 Greif

The Heinkel He-177 Greif was Germany’s sole long-range heavy bomber, but its design was marred by persistent mechanical problems. Initially intended as both a bomber and dive-bomber, its designers faced engineering challenges that delayed its deployment. To meet the requirements of the German Air Ministry, the aircraft used an unusual engine configuration, with two engines powering each propeller. This setup caused frequent overheating, engine fires, and reliability issues.

The He-177’s problems extended beyond its engines. Crews reported poor handling, particularly during takeoff and landing, and its delayed introduction meant it never achieved the impact intended by German planners. Despite these issues, over 1,000 units were produced before manufacturing was halted in 1944, leaving the He-177 as a missed opportunity in Germany’s aerial strategy.

Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

The Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick, a British flying boat, was intended to serve in coastal patrol and anti-submarine roles. However, it suffered from fundamental design flaws that doomed its service career. Its engines were underpowered, leading to poor flight performance, and its stability in the air was notoriously unreliable.

Of the 21 Lerwicks produced, nearly half were lost to accidents, including fatal crashes and mechanical failures. In several cases, the aircraft could not recover from relatively minor maneuvers, leading to catastrophic results. Although wartime necessity briefly brought the Lerwick back into limited service, it was soon retired permanently in 1943. The surviving aircraft were scrapped, and its role was filled by more reliable flying boats like the Short Sunderland.

Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

The Brewster SB2A Buccaneer was designed as a scout and dive bomber, but it quickly became a symbol of ineffective wartime engineering. Produced for the US Navy, Royal Air Force, and other Allied nations, the Buccaneer was plagued by poor performance and a lack of reliability. Its engines struggled to handle its weight, leaving it underpowered and difficult to fly.

Most of the Buccaneers produced were deemed unsuitable for combat. Many were repurposed as trainers or scrapped outright. For pilots who did fly them, the plane’s slow speed and limited maneuverability made it an easy target. The Buccaneer is often remembered as one of the most disappointing planes of the war.

LWS-6 Żubr

The LWS-6 Żubr was a Polish medium bomber developed before World War II. From its earliest test flights, the Żubr displayed serious flaws. Its first prototype crashed during a demonstration, killing its crew. Despite this setback, Poland’s air force ordered additional units due to limited resources.

In service, the Żubr proved difficult to fly. Its undercarriage frequently failed, and its bomb load capacity was too low to be effective in combat. During the German invasion of Poland in 1939, most Żubr bombers were destroyed on the ground or during their first missions. The plane’s brief and troubled history highlights the challenges of producing advanced aircraft under resource constraints.

Breda BA.88 Lince

The Breda BA.88 Lince began with promise, setting a world speed record before the war. However, once additional military equipment was installed, the plane became too heavy to perform effectively. Many BA.88 units could barely take off, let alone carry out their intended roles as ground-attack aircraft.

In combat, the BA.88’s flaws became apparent, particularly in the challenging conditions of North Africa. Overheating engines and poor performance in hot climates further undermined its capabilities. Eventually, the remaining planes were stripped of their engines and used as decoys to protect airfields. Despite its record-setting origins, the BA.88 became a symbol of unfulfilled potential.