World War II occurred as aeronautical technology was undergoing a significant transformation. Though many new technologies, such as jet and rocket propulsion, radar, and helicopters were emerging before the outbreak of war, the unprecedented flow of government funds for research, development, testing, and production resulted in a dizzying transformation of the pilot’s environment in just a few years. The following pages reveal a wide range of complexity and ingenuity as seen on 34 aircraft operated by the major combatants during World War II. These aircraft reside today in the collection of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. Some examples, such as the Aichi Seiran, have seen at least a decade of meticulous restoration to overcome the ravages of time. Others, such as the Bell Kingcobra, have weathered the years well with no intervention whatsoever. The Kyushu Shinden illustrates another group that is in desperate need of restoration and looks it. While several aircraft, like the Enola Gay, have been restored to a specific wartime moment (August 6, 1945), the Northrop Black Widow and Martin Mariner represent aircraft that continued their service well beyond the war years and whose cockpits reflect postwar modifications.
Many of the aircraft seen herein are on display, either at the Smithsonian’s flagship museum complex on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., or at the spectacular Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center located in Chantilly, Virginia. A number of the aircraft are in storage awaiting restoration at the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Suitland, Maryland. Several examples are on loan to other museums around the nation. These aircraft represent only a portion of the extensive World War II collection at the National Air and Space Museum. Some examples were excluded because of their inclusion in the previous volume of In the Cockpit or because of condition or lack of accessibility.
For many years, we have had the privilege to work around the exteriors of these aircraft. Preparing this book has given us a new appreciation for those who designed, built, and flew these incredible machines. We hope that beyond enjoying the sheer artistry of Eric and Mark’s photographs, you will come away with just a little more understanding of what it was like to fly in those turbulent times.