Planes Used In The Battle of The Pacific

Aichi D3A

The Aichi D3A 'Val' equipped the dive-bombing squadrons of the Rengo Kantai from the time of Pearl Harbor through Midway and beyond. However, by 1943/4 excessive losses of experienced aircrew and technical obsolescence made it a declining asset.

​

Brewster F2 Buffalo

The courageous fight put up by US Marine pilots in Brewster F2 Buffaloes, obsolescent by the time of Midway, caused many Japanese flyers bombing the atoll base to misidentify them as Wildcats.

​

Grumman F4F-4

Grumman F4F-4 flown by Lt.Cdr. John S. Thach, Officer Commanding VF-3, USS Yorktown, Midway, 4 June 1942

​

 

Douglas SBD Dauntless

Affectionately known to its flyers as the 'barge', the Douglas SBD Dauntless was to be responsible for the destruction of all four Japanese fleet carriers during the Battle of Midway.

​

Nakajima B5N

Some 1,149 Nakajima B5N 'Kates' were produced. The carriers Lexington, Yorktown, Wasp and Hornet all fell victims mainly to this aircraft.

​

Vought SB2U Vindicator

The Vought SB2U Vindicator, nicknamed the 'Vibrator' by its pilots, was another of the obsolescent types flown by the US Marines at Midway.

​