World War II aircraft on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force

FIGHTING PLANES: AIRCRAFT OF WWII

The World War II gallery at the National Museum of the United States Air Force contains one of the top collections of war aircraft in the world. Here are 16 planes that changed the course of the war.

HOW TO GO

What: National Museum of the United States Air Force
Where: 1100 Spaatz Street, WPAFB (directions)
Hours: Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Where is everything? Museum map
More information: nationalmuseum.af.mil

Reporting: Barrie Barber / Photos: Ty Greenlees / Published: May 3, 2015 / Top photo: The P-40 was the United States' best fighter available in large numbers when World War II began. P-40s engaged Japanese aircraft at Pearl Harbor and in the Philippines in December 1941. They also served with the famed Flying Tigers in China in 1942, and in North Africa in 1943 with the 99th Fighter Squadron, the first African American U.S. fighter unit. TY GREENLEES / STAFF