British WW2 Bomber Aircraft (1939-1945)

British bomber groups in World War 2 more than held their own against the might of the German, Italian and Japanese forces.

There are a total of 73 British WW2 Bomber Aircraft (1939-1945) in the Military Factory. Entries are listed below in alphanumeric order (1-to-Z). Flag images indicative of country of origin and not necessarily the primary operator.

Light-, medium-, and heavy-class bombers are all included in this list as are developmental and proposed designs appearing during the war years (1939-1945).

Thumbnail picture of the Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle

Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle
The Armstrong Albemarle failed to impress as a bomber and, as such, was relegated to glider tug and transport service during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley

Armstrong Whitworth Whitley
The ungainly Armstrong Whitley was nonetheless a workhorse performer for the Royal Air force during the span of 1937 to 1942.

Thumbnail picture of the Avro Lancaster

Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster was the definitive heavy bomber of the British cause during World War 2 - considered by many to be the best of the entire conflict.

Thumbnail picture of the Avro Manchester

Avro Manchester
The development of the Avro Manchester led directly to the development of the outstanding Avro Lancaster.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn B.20

Blackburn B.20
The Blackburn B.20 aircraft project held a unique, extendable boat-like hull for which to accomplish water landings with.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn B.48 / YA.1 (Firecrest)

Blackburn B.48 / YA.1 (Firecrest)
Just three of the proposed Blackburn Firecrest strike fighters were completed for Britain in the late-1940s, the project ultimately cancelled when little could be had from the design.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn Baffin

Blackburn Baffin
Fewer than 30 new-build Blackburn Baffins were produced, the rest being conversions of existing Blackburn Ripon biplanes to the improved Baffin standard.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn Ripon

Blackburn Ripon
The Blackburn Ripon proved her worth as a British Fleet Air Arm torpedo bomber during the inter-war years and saw combat service with the Finnish Air Force in World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn Roc (B-25)

Blackburn Roc (B-25)
Over 130 examples of the Blackburn Roc dive bomber were built for Britain and its Fleet Air Arm during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Blackburn Skua (B-24)

Blackburn Skua (B-24)
Both a fighter and a dive bomber, the Blackburn Skua excelled only in the latter for the British Fleet Air Arm during the early fighting of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress

Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress
The legendary Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress accounted for over 290,000 sorties with 640,000 tons of ordnance dropped during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress

Boeing B-29 Superfortress
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress marked the pinnacle of American bomber design by the end of World War 2 - it proved critical in ending the war with Japan.

Thumbnail picture of the Brewster SB2A Buccaneer

Brewster SB2A Buccaneer
The Brewster SB2A Buccaneer scout bomber led a rather nondescript service life heading into World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Bristol Beaufighter

Bristol Beaufighter
Amazingly, the first production-quality Bristol Beaufighter aircraft flew a mere twelve months after the prototype went airborne.

Thumbnail picture of the Bristol Beaufort

Bristol Beaufort
The Bristol-brand Beaufort served as the RAFs principle torpedo bomber from 1940-1943, then replaced by the more capable Beaufighter.

Thumbnail picture of the Bristol Blenheim

Bristol Blenheim
The British Bristol Blenheim lost more aircrews than any other RAF aircraft during World War 2 - yet it fulfilled roles clearly needed during the early war years.

Thumbnail picture of the Bristol Buckingham

Bristol Buckingham
Developed to a medium bomber requirement, changes to British needs limited the Bristol Buckingham to fewer than 119 examples during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Bristol Type 159

Bristol Type 159
The Bristol Type 159 heavy bomber project was to reflect a new generation of attack aircraft for Britain heading into World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the CAC Wirraway

CAC Wirraway
The CAC Wirraway was an indigenous Australian development of the North American NA-16 trainer platform.

Thumbnail picture of the CANT Z.506 Airone (Heron)

CANT Z.506 Airone (Heron)
The Italian CANT Z.506 series of floatplane aircraft was one of the few mounts to manage a useful existence before and after World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator

Consolidated B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator heavy bomber was produced in greater numbers than any other American aircraft during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Consolidated PB2Y Coronado

Consolidated PB2Y Coronado
With the PBY Catalina firmly entrenched but aging, the US Navy looked to the newer Coronado floatplane design to help carry the torch through World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Consolidated PBY Catalina

Consolidated PBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was one of the more important flying boats for the Allies during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Curtiss SB2C Helldiver
Though initially not as well-liked by her crews as the Douglas Dauntless was, the Curtiss Helldiver went on to sink more ship tonnage than any other aircraft in World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Curtiss SBC Helldiver

Curtiss SBC Helldiver
The Curtiss SBC Helldiver became the last acquired biplane of the United States Navy service when it was introduced in 1938.

Thumbnail picture of the de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito

de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito
The classic British de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito night fighter found few challengers during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the de Havilland Super Mosquito

de Havilland Super Mosquito
The de Havilland Super Mosquito was to carry-on the excellent qualities of the earlier DH.98 Mosquito platform.

Thumbnail picture of the Dornier Do 17 (Flying Pencil)

Dornier Do 17 (Flying Pencil)
The German Dornier Do 17 was initially an impressive medium bomber design of the late 1930s though it eventually lost any advantage to enemy fighters during the early-1940s.

Thumbnail picture of the Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston

Douglas A-20 Havoc / Boston
The Douglas A-20 Havoc proved a suitable and adaptable light bomber and night-fighter for Allied forces of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader

Douglas A-26 / B-26 Invader
The Douglas A-26 Invader ultimately proved a success in World War 2, the Korean War, and the early stages of the Vietnam Conflict.

Thumbnail picture of the Douglas SBD Dauntless

Douglas SBD Dauntless
The SBD Dauntless bomber was the principle Allied dive bomber in the Pacific Theater of Operations.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Albacore

Fairey Albacore
Intended to succeed the famous Fairey Swordfish biplane torpedo bomber, the Fairey Albacore failed in this respect but managed a fairly useful service life during World War 2 nonetheless.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Barracuda

Fairey Barracuda
The Fairey Barracuda stocked the inventory of many Fleet Air Arm squadrons during World War 2 action.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Battle

Fairey Battle
By the time of World War 2, the Fairey Battle was wholly-outclassed by smaller, more nimble fighter types unleashed by the Germans.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Fulmar

Fairey Fulmar
The Fairey Fulmar served through 600 examples and these solely with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm during the early part of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Spearfish

Fairey Spearfish
Brought to life in 1943, the Fairey Spearfish was only ever completed in five examples due to the end of the war in 1945.

Thumbnail picture of the Fairey Swordfish

Fairey Swordfish
The Fairey Swordfish, despite its World War 1-era appearance, was an unsung hero of the Allied cause against Axis naval forces.

Thumbnail picture of the Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork)

Fieseler Fi 156 Storch (Stork)
The Fieseler Fi 156 Storch was a multi-faceted performer for the Third Reich in World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Focke-Wulf Fw 200 (Condor)

Focke-Wulf Fw 200 (Condor)
The Fw 200 was the lesser-known of the German World War 2 bombers, relegated to maritime anti-shipping duty and VIP transport.

Thumbnail picture of the Fokker T.VIII

Fokker T.VIII
The Dutch-originated Fokker T.VIII floatplane torpedo bomber fought for several sides during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Grumman TBF Avenger

Grumman TBF Avenger
The Grumman TBF Avenger torpedo bomber saw nearly 10,000 produced during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Handley Page Halifax

Handley Page Halifax
The Handley Page Halifax bomber shined in both night-bombing and airborne support roles during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Handley Page Hampden

Handley Page Hampden
On the whole, the Handley Page Hampden offered limited value to the Allies during the early going of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Handley Page Heyford

Handley Page Heyford
The Handley Page Heyford Heavy Night-Bomber served no less than twelve Royal Air Force squadrons during her time aloft - but was given up as a frontline bomber before World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Hawker P.1005

Hawker P.1005
The Hawker P.1005 project faced an uphill battle during World War 2 - its prototypes and production order were eventually cancelled.

Thumbnail picture of the Heinkel He 111

Heinkel He 111
The most important German medium bomber of World War 2 became the classic Heinkel He 111 series - a prewar design that managed to fight into the final days.

Thumbnail picture of the Heinkel He 115

Heinkel He 115
The Heinkel He 115 is considered by many as the best seaplane to have served in World War 2 on any side.

Thumbnail picture of the Heinkel He 177 Greif (Griffin)

Heinkel He 177 Greif (Griffin)
The advanced Heinkel He 177 Greif as a heavy bomber for the Luftwaffe of World War 2 was limited in production due to ongoing engine reliability and structural issues.

Thumbnail picture of the Heinkel He 70 (Blitz)

Heinkel He 70 (Blitz)
For its time, the Heinkel He 70 was a fast reconnaissance bomber but limited in what it could carry.

Thumbnail picture of the Junkers Ju 188 Rache (Avenger)

Junkers Ju 188 Rache (Avenger)
The Junkers Ju 188 Rache was a solid design and good performer, though appearing several years too late to make an impact.

Thumbnail picture of the Junkers Ju 52

Junkers Ju 52
The Junkers Ju 52 Tri-Motor proved a popular transport platform for operators before, during and after World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Junkers Ju 87 (StuKa - Sturzkampfflugzeug)

Junkers Ju 87 (StuKa - Sturzkampfflugzeug)
Performance limitations aside, the Junkers Ju 87 StuKa was an effectively devastating weapon for the German Luftwaffe in the early part of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Junkers Ju 88

Junkers Ju 88
Like the Dornier Do 17 and the Heinkel He 111, the Junkers Ju 88 became a mainstay of the German Luftwaffe bombing campaigns throughout all of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed Hudson

Lockheed Hudson
Nearly 3,000 Lockheed Hudson aircraft were built from the period spanning 1938 to 1943 - many seeing service during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon

Lockheed Ventura / Harpoon
The Lockheed Ventura series was used in number by the U.S. and British during World War 2 and succeeded the Lockheed Hudson series of light bombers.

Thumbnail picture of the Martin B-26 Marauder

Martin B-26 Marauder
After some early setbacks, the Martin B-26 Marauder became a USAAF stalwart and operated with distinction as a medium bomber during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Martin Baltimore

Martin Baltimore
Though produced in limited numbers - and neglected by the USAAF - the Baltimore found life with the British Royal Air Force and others during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Martin Maryland

Martin Maryland
The American-made Martin Maryland saw limited use in limited quantities with foreign forces during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Martin PBM Mariner

Martin PBM Mariner
While a serviceable and very capable aircraft in its own right, the Martin Mariner flying boat would never reach the popularity of the older Consolidated PBY Catalina.

Thumbnail picture of the Miles M.39B (Libellula)

Miles M.39B (Libellula)
One of the more interesting aircraft arrangements to be considered by the British during World War 2 - the Miles Libellula.

Thumbnail picture of the Mitsubishi G4M (Betty)

Mitsubishi G4M (Betty)
The Mitsubishi G4M Betty will forever be linked to the ill-fated flight which saw the death of Japanese Admiral Yamamoto at the hands of American Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters over Bougainville in 1943.

Thumbnail picture of the North American A-36 Apache

North American A-36 Apache
The North American A-36 Apache was based on an early-form P-51, though modified for the dive bomber and ground attack roles.

Thumbnail picture of the North American B-25 Mitchell

North American B-25 Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell proved a crucial medium bomber component to the Allied war effort during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick

Saunders-Roe A.36 Lerwick
Design flaws limited SARO Lerwick production to just 21 airframes - and ten of these were lost to accidents.

Thumbnail picture of the Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk)

Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero (Sparrowhawk)
The Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparrowhawk became the best Italian bomber of World War 2, particularly in the anti-shipping role.

Thumbnail picture of the Short Stirling

Short Stirling
The Short Stirling four-engined bomber made up a large contingent of RAF heavy bombing capability at one point during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Supermarine B.12/36 (Type 316)

Supermarine B.12/36 (Type 316)
This Supermarine bomber project was, itself, ended by German bombs dropped on the production facility in September of 1940.

Thumbnail picture of the Vickers Warwick

Vickers Warwick
Though developed as a heavy bomber, the twin-engine Vickers Warwick saw more time in other roles during World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Vickers Wellesley

Vickers Wellesley
Introduced in 1937, only 177 of the serviceable Vickers Wellesley bombers were produced - the line was given up as soon as 1944.

Thumbnail picture of the Vickers Wellington

Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was the primary medium bomber of the Royal Air Force at the start of World War 2.

Thumbnail picture of the Vickers Windsor

Vickers Windsor
Developed for the Royal Air Force as a heavy bomber during World War 2, the Vickers Windsor was no longer needed for its intended role - limiting the program to just three aircraft.

Thumbnail picture of the Vought SB2U Vindicator

Vought SB2U Vindicator
The Vought SB2U Vindicator was obsolete by the time of America's involvement in World War 2 and relegated to training elements by 1943.

Thumbnail picture of the Vultee A-35 Vengeance

Vultee A-35 Vengeance
The Vultee A-35 Vengeance was delivered for the defense of France but the results there forced future orders to British hands via Lend-Lease.