5 Forgotten WW2 Allied Planes That Were Secretly Game-Changers
YouTube / AllthingsWW2
When thinking of World War II aircraft, legendary planes like the Spitfire and P-51 Mustang dominate the conversation. However, the war saw the development and deployment of many lesser-known planes that played critical roles in shaping key battles and campaigns.
Here are 5 forgotten World War II Allied planes that were secretly game-changers in their own right.
1. Fairey Swordfish (UK)
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At first glance, the Fairey Swordfish seemed obsolete, even during the early stages of WWII. This slow, biplane torpedo bomber defied its antiquated design by sinking the German battleship Bismarck in 1941. The Swordfishโs pivotal role in crippling the pride of the Kriegsmarine showed that speed wasnโt always necessaryโsometimes, surprise and precision were all it took.
2. Brewster F2A Buffalo (USA)
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Often dismissed as a failure due to its underperformance with the U.S. Navy, the Brewster Buffalo had a much more successful track record with the Finnish Air Force during the Continuation War against the Soviet Union. Finnish pilots used the Buffaloโs agility to rack up impressive kill ratios, proving its worth in a different environment and demonstrating that context mattered in aircraft effectiveness.
3. Lavochkin La-5 (Soviet Union)
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The Lavochkin La-5 was a Soviet fighter that played a crucial role on the Eastern Front. Initially overshadowed by the more famous Yakovlev fighters, the La-5 was a rugged, reliable aircraft with excellent performance at low altitudes. It was particularly effective in countering the German Fw 190 and Bf 109, helping the Soviet Air Force gain air superiority during key battles such as Kursk and Stalingrad.
4. Potez 630 (France)
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Franceโs air force is often overlooked in the context of World War II, but the twin-engine Potez 630 series was a valuable asset in the early stages of the war. Primarily used as a fighter and reconnaissance aircraft, the Potez 630 provided essential intelligence to the Allies during the Battle of France. Though overshadowed by German dominance, it was a reliable workhorse in Franceโs brief but fierce resistance.
5. PZL.37 (Poland)
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The PZL.37 was a Polish twin-engine bomber that saw action during the invasion of Poland in 1939. Despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the ลoล performed admirably against German forces, demonstrating advanced design features such as a high-speed, low-drag airframe. Its innovative design influenced bomber development in other countries, even as Poland fell early in the war.
