The Rarest WW2 Planes You’ve Never Heard Of

Published Nov 7, 2024 By Marc

YouTube / History Hit

Luke Tomes and Louee Dessent attended the Battle of Britain Airshow with a mission: to find the rarest and most unique aircraft from WWII. Here’s what they discovered:

Bristol Blenheim

The Bristol Blenheim was one of Britain’s most significant bombers in the early stages of the war. Originally designed as a civil airliner, the aircraft impressed the British Air Ministry during its 1935 maiden flight. As a result, the Ministry ordered a modified version for the Royal Air Force (RAF).

When it entered service, the Blenheim was notable for its cutting-edge features: an all-metal stressed-skin construction, retractable landing gear, powered gun turrets, flaps, and variable-pitch propellers. These innovations made it a crucial asset to Britain’s early war efforts.

Westland Lysander

Initially designed for artillery spotting and reconnaissance, the Westland Lysander gained fame for a very different role. The Mk.III variant was used for “Special Duties,” transporting Allied agents in and out of Nazi-occupied Europe.

To fulfill this secretive role, Lysanders were equipped with a fixed ladder on the port side for quick access to the rear cockpit and a large belly-mounted drop tank for extended range. Painted in matte black for stealth, they usually flew during the week of a full moon to reduce the risk of detection.

Fiat CR.42 Falco

The Fiat CR.42 Falco, a single-seat biplane fighter, entered service in 1939. Despite its outdated biplane configuration, it earned the respect of Allied pilots for its impressive speed—reaching up to 270 mph at 12,500 feet—and its exceptional handling. The CR.42 combined a sleek, modern design with a strong steel and alloy structure.

However, the aircraft had significant drawbacks. Despite being a combat fighter, it was armed with only two machine guns: one 7.7mm and one 12.7mm, which limited its effectiveness in battle.

Fairey Swordfish

The Fairey Swordfish, often hailed as one of WWII’s unsung heroes, achieved a series of stunning successes despite its outdated design. Originally a fleet attack aircraft, it later proved indispensable in anti-submarine warfare.

One of its greatest achievements was the crippling of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941. On May 24, a Swordfish torpedo strike forced the Bismarck to make evasive maneuvers, slowing it down. Two days later, another hit jammed its rudders, rendering the ship defenseless. This allowed the Royal Navy to sink the Bismarck within hours.

Cierva C.30-A Autogyro

Developed by the inventor of the first autogyro, the Cierva C.30-A was the first to have an engine driving the rotor blades during takeoff. When WWII began, these autogyros played a crucial role in calibrating RAF radar stations across the United Kingdom, maintaining their importance until gradually being phased out as the war progressed.