 This
bomber entered service in the early 1930s disguised as
a commercial passenger liner and saw its first combat
in the skies over Spain during the Spanish Civil War.
It took on the lion's share of the bombing responsibilities
during the Battle of Britain. The Heinkel entered the
battle plagued by the misguided German belief that its
speed alone was enough to protect it against fighter
attacks. This soon proved to be erroneous. |
|
 The
Ju 88 was the newest and fastest bomber in the German
arsenal at the time of the Battle of Britain. However,
it suffered from a lack of defensive weaponry and armor.
Although it faired better than the Heinkel and Dornier,
its combat losses dictated serious changes in its design. |
|
 The
Messerschmitt 109 was tested and perfected in combat
during the Spanish Civil War and in the German conquests
of Poland, the Low Countries and France. Its appearance
in the skies over Britain was wrapped in a mystique of
invincibility based on its previous battle experience
and a carefully orchestrated German propaganda campaign.
In addition to wing-mounted machine guns, it sported
a cannon in the spinning hub of its propeller giving
the nimble fighter devastating fire-power. |
|
|
 Introduced
at the same time as the Heinkel, the Dornier's shape
earned it the nickname the "Flying Pencil." The
bomber's poor defensive armament and lack of crew-protecting
armor led to the tactic of it being flown at extremely
low levels to avoid radar detection and subsequent attack
by British Hurricanes and Spitfires |
|
 Know
as the "Scourge of Europe," this dive bomber carried
a crew of 2 and achieved phenomenal success during the
early phase of the war, unleashing terror as well as
bombs upon its victims. However, it was slow and its
minimal defensive firepower made it an easy target for
the British Spitfires and Hurricanes. It was soon withdrawn
from the Battle of Britain. |
|
 This
twin-engine fighter suffered from a lack of speed and
maneuverability. Easily outclassed by its Hurricane and
Spitfire opponents, it experienced catastrophic losses
during the battle. |
|
|
This
wooden-framed, canvas-covered fighter entered service
in 1936 becoming the first monoplane in the Royal Air
Force. It packed an offensive wallop of eight machine
guns. The Hurricane was responsible for the lion's share
of the defense during the Battle of Britain and accounted
for more enemy aircraft destroyed than its more glamorous
cousin, the Spitfire.
The
Spitfire joined the RAF in 1938 and went on to become
one of the legendary aircraft of World War II. During
the Battle of Britain, the Spitfire was typically delegated
the task of attacking the bombers' fighter escorts while
the Hurricanes took on the bombers themselves. The Spitfire
was fairly evenly matched with its German counterpart
- the Messerschmitt 109 - with victory in their duels
based on tactics and pilot skill.