WWII's Largest Military Aircraft Compared
A comparison of the five largest military aircraft from the Second World War, detailing their specifications and operational histories.
The Second World War drove the development of massive military aircraft, with the Allies outproducing the Axis powers in bombers and transports. This conflict turbocharged aviation development as nations sought to sustain operations globally. According to a report examining the era's giants, five aircraft stand out for their immense size.
Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant
The German Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant is considered the largest land-based transport aircraft flown during the war. It was a powered development of the Me 321 military glider, created for a planned invasion of Great Britain. With a total of 213 built, it saw action in Crete, the Soviet Union, and North Africa after the invasion of Britain was canceled. The aircraft could transport approximately 100 fully-equipped troops or military vehicles.
Boeing B-29 Superfortress
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress arrived late in the war and was used primarily against Japan. It was responsible for extensive fire-bombing and dropped the two nuclear bombs that ended the conflict. The aircraft later served in the Korean War, with the last retired in 1960. Two B-29s, including one named 'Doc', remain airworthy today. The B-29 program was the war's most expensive military project at $3 billion, featuring innovations like a pressurized cabin and computer-controlled fire systems.
Comparative Specifications
The source provides key figures for these large aircraft, allowing for a direct comparison of their scale.
| Aircraft | Wingspan (feet) | Max Take-Off Weight (lbs) |
|---|---|---|
| Messerschmitt Me 323 Gigant | 181 | 94,799 |
| Boeing B-29 Superfortress | 141 | 133,500 |
| Douglas XB-19 | 212 | 162,000 |
| Hughes H-4 Hercules | 319 | N/A (Empty: 250,000 lbs) |
| Blohm & Voss BV 238 | 197 | 220,462 |
Douglas XB-19
The Douglas XB-19 was a four-engined experimental heavy bomber, the largest built for the US Army Air Force until the Convair B-36. Designated 'XB' for Experimental Bomber, it was slightly larger than the B-29. The rapid pace of technological change rendered it obsolete before completion. It was considered for conversion to a cargo aircraft but was never modified, flying for the last time on August 17, 1946, before being scrapped in 1949.
Hughes H-4 Hercules 'Spruce Goose'
The Hughes H-4 Hercules, nicknamed the Spruce Goose, is one of the largest aircraft ever flown. Built mostly of birch due to wartime aluminum restrictions, it was a prototype flying boat intended for transatlantic strategic airlift. It flew only once, on November 2, 1947, in a very brief flight. The project, commissioned by the US Department of War in 1942, aimed to bypass German U-boats, but the need had passed by the time it was developed. It is now displayed at the Evergreen Museum.
**Blohm & Voss BV 238**
The Blohm & Voss BV 238 was the heaviest aircraft in the world when it first flew in 1944 and was the largest built by the Axis powers. This massive flying boat was equal in weight to two B-29 Superfortresses and had a reported range over 6,000 miles. Intended as a slow, heavily armored and armed bomber capable of water landings, only one prototype was completed. The sole prototype was destroyed by Allied strafing, causing it to partially sink near Lübeck.
