9 of the Slowest Planes of World War II

World War II saw the development of many impressive aircraft, but not all of them were known for their speed. Some planes were deliberately designed for other purposes, like ground attack or reconnaissance, and as a result, they flew at slower speeds. Here’s a look at 9 of the slowest planes used during World War II.

1. Fairey Swordfish

The Fairey Swordfish was a British biplane that played a crucial role in maritime operations. Despite its top speed of only 138 miles per hour, it was a reliable torpedo bomber. The plane’s slow speed actually became an advantage during low-level attacks, making it easier to target enemy ships. This aircraft also earned a reputation for its ruggedness and versatility.

2. Fieseler Fi 156 Storch

The German Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was built for reconnaissance and communications duties. With a maximum speed of just 109 miles per hour, it was one of the slowest aircraft of its time. However, the Storch excelled in short takeoff and landing capabilities, allowing it to operate in restricted areas. This made it especially useful for transporting important figures and conducting medical evacuations.

3. Polikarpov Po-2

The Soviet Union’s Polikarpov Po-2 was a biplane utilized for various tasks, including night bombing and training. It had a top speed of around 94 miles per hour, making it incredibly slow. However, its simplicity and ease of maintenance made it a reliable workhorse. The Po-2 became famous for its role in harassment bombing missions, where it would fly low and drop bombs on enemy troops and supplies quietly at night.

4. Westland Lysander

The Westland Lysander was a British plane designed for reconnaissance and special missions. With a top speed of 212 miles per hour, it wasn’t as slow as some others on this list but still fell on the slower end of combat aircraft. Its strength lay in its ability to land and take off from short, rough airstrips. This adaptability made it valuable for inserting and extracting spies, as well as conducting other covert operations.

5. Curtiss SBC Helldiver

The American Curtiss SBC Helldiver, not to be confused with the later SB2C Helldiver, was a biplane used primarily as a dive bomber and scout. It had a maximum speed of 234 miles per hour, making it slower than many other combat planes of its time. Despite this, it was vital during the earlier stages of the war for its roles in scouting and dive-bombing.

6. Bücker Bü 131

The German Bücker Bü 131 was initially a training aircraft and saw broader use during the war. With a top speed of 123 miles per hour, it was among the slower planes. Its reliability and ease of handling made it a common choice for training new pilots. It was also occasionally used for light transport duties and liaison tasks due to its dependable performance.

7. Breda Ba.65

The Italian Breda Ba.65 was designed primarily as a ground-attack aircraft. It had a top speed of around 267 miles per hour, which was relatively slow compared to other combat aircraft. Although it did not perform well in air combat, it was effective in ground-attack roles due to its sturdy design and good low-altitude maneuverability.

8. Bloch MB.152

The French Bloch MB.152 was a fighter aircraft with a top speed of 316 miles per hour. While not exceptionally slow, it was slower compared to contemporary fighters. It struggled to match the performance of faster enemy aircraft but was still used effectively in some operations due to its decent firepower and robustness.

9. Yokosuka K5Y

The Yokosuka K5Y was a Japanese trainer aircraft known for its simplicity and ease of use. It had a top speed of 142 miles per hour, making it quite slow. Despite this, it was an important part of pilot training programs and occasionally served in combat roles such as anti-submarine patrols and light bombing missions.