List of World War II military aircraft of Germany


This list covers aircraft of the German Luftwaffe during the Second World War from 1939 to 1945. Numerical designations are largely within the RLM designation system.
The Luftwaffe of the Third Reich officially existed from 1933–1945 but training had started in the 1920s, before the Nazi election, and many aircraft made in the inter-war years were used during World War II. The main list highlights the most significant aircraft that participated and includes minor types. Pre-war aircraft not used after 1938 are excluded, as are projects and aircraft that did not fly.
Listed roles are those for which the aircraft were being used during the war – many obsolete pre-war combat aircraft remained in use as trainers rather than in their original more familiar roles. Captured or acquired aircraft are listed separately as many were used only for evaluation while those available in large enough numbers were commonly used as trainers, while a small number were used for special operations, with exception of some Italian aircraft used sometimes in large numbers mostly as transports. A full list of aircraft from 1933–1945 can be found in the Reich Aviation Ministry's list of aircraft at list of RLM aircraft designations and a full explanation is at RLM aircraft designation system. A small number of surviving pre-1933 aircraft were overlooked by the RLM system and just used the company names or designations.

Luftwaffe aircraft

The primary types operated by the Luftwaffe are shown highlighted, with the most numerous in bold.
RLM #AircraftRoleProduction
Status		# built/used1st FlightNotes
192AGO Ao 192 Kuriertransportproduction61935used by senior officials
68Arado Ar 68trainer/night-fighterproduction5111934biplane, obsolete by 1939
76Arado Ar 76trainerproduction1891934biplane
80Arado Ar 80experimentalprototype31935used to test Fowler flaps
95Arado Ar 95trainingproduction271936seaplane, built for export
96Arado Ar 96trainerproduction28911938
196Arado Ar 196reconnaissanceproduction5411937ship-borne seaplane
197Arado Ar 197fighterprototype31937carrier aircraft derived from Ar 68
198Arado Ar 198reconnaissanceprototype11938
199Arado Ar 199trainerprototype21939seaplane
213Arado Ar 231reconnaissanceprototype61940folds to fit on U-boat
232Arado Ar 232 Tausendfüßlertransportproduction201941
234Arado Ar 234 Blitzreconnaissance/bomberproduction2101943Bomber Jet
240Arado Ar 240fighterprototype141940
440Arado Ar 440fighterprototype419421 converted from Ar 240
349Bachem Ba 349 Natterinterceptorproduction361945rocket, only 1 manned flight attempted
40Blohm & Voss BV 40 Ersatzjägerinterceptorprototype71944glider
138Blohm & Voss BV 138 Seedrachemaritime patrolproduction2971937diesel trimotor flying-boat
139Blohm & Voss Ha 139transportprototype31936long-range seaplane
140Blohm & Voss Ha 140maritime patrolprototype31937flying-boat
141Blohm & Voss BV 141reconnaissanceprototype281938asymmetrical
142Blohm & Voss BV 142maritime patrol/transportprototype41938
144Blohm & Voss BV 144transportprototype11944
155Blohm & Voss BV 155interceptorprototype31944built to counter B-29
222Blohm & Voss BV 222 Wikingtransportproduction131940six-engined flying-boat
238Blohm & Voss BV 238maritime patrolprototype11944six-engined flying-boat,
largest Axis aircraft flown
131Bücker Bü 131 Jungmanntrainerproduction5000 ca.1934biplane, also used for night harassment
133Bücker Bü 133 Jungmeistertrainerproduction250 ca.1935aerobatic biplane
180Bücker Bü 180 Studenttrainerproduction501937
181Bücker Bü 181 Bestmanntrainerproduction34001939
182Bücker Bü 182 Kornetttrainerprototype41938
313Caproni Ca.313Gtrainerproduction1641939purchased from Italy.
38DFS SG 38 Schulgleitertrainerproduction10000 ca.1938glider, widely copied
228DFS 228reconnaissanceprototype21944rocket-powered, unpowered flights only
230DFS 230transportproduction1600 ca.1937glider
331DFS 331transportprototype11942glider
12Dornier Do 12 Libelletrainerprototype11932impressed seaplane
16Dornier Do 16 Waltrainingproduction461922flying-boat, most retired by 1939
17Dornier Do 17 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction21391934
18Dornier Do 18maritime patrolproduction1701935flying-boat
19Dornier Do 19transportprototype31936only 1 flown, built as heavy bomber
22Dornier Do 22maritime patrolproduction41938built for export
23Dornier Do 23bomberproduction2821934withdrawn after invasion of Poland
24Dornier Do 24maritime patrolproduction2181937flying boat, was for export
26Dornier Do 26reconnaissanceproduction61938long-range seaplane
215Dornier Do 215 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction1051938
217Dornier Do 217 Fliegender Bleistiftbomber/night-fighterproduction19251938
317Dornier Do 317bomberprototype61943Bomber B
335Dornier Do 335 Pfeilfighter/bomberproduction371943push-pull engines
5Fieseler Fi 5trainerproduction29 ca.1933acrobatic sportsplane
103Fieseler Fi 103R Reichenbergmanned bombproduction1751944manned variant of V-1 missile
156Fieseler Fi 156 Storchreconnaissanceproduction28671936
167Fieseler Fi 167bomberproduction141938ship-borne biplane
256Fieseler Fi 256transportprototype6–91941
184Flettner Fl 184reconnaissanceprototype11936helicopter
282Flettner Fl 282 Kolibrireconnaissanceproduction241941Synchropter helicopter
223Focke-Achgelis Fa 223 Drachetransportproduction201940helicopter
330Focke-Achgelis Fa 330reconnaissanceproduction2001942autogyro kite, rarely used
152Focke-Wulf Ta 152fighterproduction491944improved Fw 190, production curtailed
154Focke-Wulf Ta 154 Moskitonight-fighterproduction30 ca.1943development curtailed
44Focke-Wulf Fw 44 Stieglitztrainerproduction1700 ca.1932biplane, widely exported
56Focke-Wulf Fw 56 Stössertrainerproduction1000 ca.1933parasol monoplane
58Focke-Wulf Fw 58 Weihetrainerproduction13501935
61Focke-Wulf Fw 61experimentalprototype21936twin rotor helicopter
62Focke-Wulf Fw 62reconnaissanceprototype41937ship-borne biplane seaplane
186Focke-Wulf Fw 186reconnaissanceprototype11937autogyro
187Focke-Wulf Fw 187 Falkefighterprototype91937
189Focke-Wulf Fw 189 Uhureconnaissanceproduction8641938
190Focke-Wulf Fw 190 Würgerfighterproduction20000 ca.1939many exported to client states
191Focke-Wulf Fw 191bomberprototype31942Bomber B
200Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condormaritime patrol/transportproduction2761937originally airliner, some exported
145Gotha Go 145trainerproduction11821934
146Gotha Go 146transportprototype41936
147Gotha Go 147experimentalprototype11936tailless
242Gotha Go 242transportproduction15281941glider
244Gotha Go 244transportproduction1761941powered Go 242, 133 converted
345Gotha Go 345transportprototype11944glider
430Gotha Ka 430transportprototype121943glider
46Heinkel He 46trainerproduction5121931parasol recon. Used for night harassment raids.
50Heinkel He 50reconnaissance/bomberproduction781931biplane
51Heinkel He 51trainerproduction7001933obsolete fighter, few remained by 1939
59Heinkel He 59reconnaissanceproduction1441931biplane seaplane
60Heinkel He 60reconnaissanceproduction2051933ship-borne biplane seaplane
70Heinkel He 70 Blitztransportproduction151932
72Heinkel He 72 Kadetttrainerproduction2000 ca.1933
100Heinkel He 100fighterproduction251938also used He 113 designation
111Heinkel He 111bomber/transportproduction56561935many exported
112Heinkel He 112fighterproduction1041935
114Heinkel He 114reconnaissanceproduction29 ca.1936seaplane
115Heinkel He 115bomberproduction1381937seaplane, some exported.
116Heinkel He 116reconnaissanceprototype141937
119Heinkel He 119high-speed reconnaissanceprototype81937
162Heinkel He 162 Spatzlight jet fighterproduction3201944jet, Volksjäger winner
172Heinkel He 172trainerprototype11934He 72 with NACA cowling
177Heinkel He 177 Greifheavy/strategic bomberproduction11691939engine problems until major redesign
219Heinkel He 219 Uhunight-fighterproduction300 ca.1942
280Heinkel He 280fighterprototype91940jet
123Henschel Hs 123ground attackproduction2501935
125Henschel Hs 125trainerprototype21934
126Henschel Hs 126reconnaissanceproduction600 ca.1936
127Henschel Hs 127bomberprototype21937
128Henschel Hs 128experimentalprototype21939high-altitude test aircraft
129Henschel Hs 129ground attackproduction8651939
130Henschel Hs 130bomberprototype131939high-altitude
229Horten Ho 229fighterprototype31944jet flying wing, only one flown under power
n/aJunkers W34trainerproduction202419261920s transport.
52Junkers Ju 52 Tante Jutransportproduction48451931Spanish Civil War bomber, widely exported
86Junkers Ju 86bomber/reconnaissanceproduction6321934
87Junkers Ju 87 Stukabomberproduction65001935many exported to client states
88Junkers Ju 88bomber/night-fighterproduction151831936variants filled numerous roles
89Junkers Ju 89bomberprototype21937originally Ural bomber
90Junkers Ju 90transportproduction181937
188Junkers Ju 188 Rächerbomberproduction12341940
252Junkers Ju 252transportproduction151942
287Junkers Ju 287bomberprototype21944jet
288Junkers Ju 288bomberprototype221940Bomber B design winner
290Junkers Ju 290maritime patrol/transportproduction651942
322Junkers Ju 322 Mammuttransportprototype21941glider
352Junkers Ju 352 Herkulestransportproduction501943
388Junkers Ju 388reconnaissance/bomberproduction101 ca.1943fighter variants also planned
390Junkers Ju 390bomberprototype21943Amerika Bomber
31Klemm Kl 31trainerproduction301931
35Klemm Kl 35trainerproduction2000 ca.1935sportplane, many exported
36Klemm Kl 36transportproduction12 ca.1934
108Messerschmitt Bf 108 Taifuntrainerproduction8851934many exported
109Messerschmitt Bf 109fighterproduction339841935many exported to client states
110Messerschmitt Bf 110 Zerstörerfighterproduction61701936
162Messerschmitt Bf 162 Jaguarbomberprototype31937
163Messerschmitt Bf 163reconnaissanceprototype11938designation reused for interceptor
163Messerschmitt Me 163 Kometinterceptorproduction3701944rocket
209Messerschmitt Me 209racerprototype41938
209Messerschmitt Me 209-IIfighterprototype41943unrelated to previous Me 209
210Messerschmitt Me 210fighterproduction1081939
261Messerschmitt Me 261 Adolfinereconnaissanceprototype31940
262Messerschmitt Me 262 Schwalbefighterproduction1400 ca.1941jet
263Messerschmitt Me 263interceptorprototype11944rocket, did not fly under power
264Messerschmitt Me 264 Amerikabomberprototype31942
309Messerschmitt Me 309fighterprototype41942
321Messerschmitt Me 321 Giganttransportproduction2001941glider
323Messerschmitt Me 323 Giganttransportproduction1981942powered variant of Me 321
328Messerschmitt Me 328fighterprototype91944pulse jet
410Messerschmitt Me 410 Hornissefighter/reconnaissanceproduction11891942improved Me 210
104Siebel Fh 104 Halloretransportproduction461937
201Siebel Si 201reconnaissanceprototype21938
202Siebel Si 202 Hummeltrainerproduction661938sportplane
204Siebel Si 204trainerproduction12161940also used as transport

Captured or acquired aircraft

NameSourceLuftwaffe Role# Notes
Avia B-534CzechoslovakiatrainerThree modified for carrier trials. Some sold.
Avia B-71Czechoslovakiabomber
AVIA FL.3Italytrainer145Sent to flying schools in Austria.
Bloch M.B.175Francebomber
Bloch M.B.151Francefighter/trainerVichy MB.152 also transferred to Luftwaffe In 1942.
Boeing B-17 Flying FortressUSspecial operationsUsed by special units such as KG 200.
Cant Z.506Italysearch & rescueused from 1943 with mixed Italian/German crews.
Cant Z.1007Italytransportused from 1943
Caudron C.445 GoélandFrancetransport
Curtiss H-75 HawkFrance & NorwayfighterUsed pending delivery of Bf 109's. Some sold to Finland.
Dewoitine D.520Francetrainer182Some sold.
Douglas 8A-3NNetherlandstrainer3 ca.
Douglas DC-2Netherlandstransport3ex-KLM aircraft
Fiat CR.42Italyground attack
/night fighter		112+from 1943, flown by NSGr.9 and JG.107
Fiat G.50/BItalytrainer
unk.from 1943, flown by 7th Nacht Schlacht Gruppe based in Croatia
Fokker C.VVarioustrainerunk.
Fokker C.XNetherlandstrainerunk.
Fokker D.XXINetherlandsfighter
Fokker T.VIIINetherlandsmaritime patrolfloatplane
Fokker G.INetherlandstrainersome used in 1941 for Bf 110 crews.
Gloster GladiatorLatvia via USSRtrainer1captured from Soviets, glider/target tug.
Hawker HurricaneFrance, Jugoslavia & N. AfricafamiliarizationNot used for combat.
Ilyushin Il-2USSRn/anever used
Lioré et Olivier LeO 451Francetransport39+from May 1943, flown by IV./TG4.
Lockheed P-38 LightningUSAfighter1provided by defector.
Macchi MC.202Italytrainer47used from 1943. Some transferred to Croatia.
Macchi MC.205Italyfighter25used from 1944. II/JG 77
Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-3USSRn/aTried to sell 22 to Finland
Morane-Saulnier M.S.230Francetrainer
Morane-Saulnier M.S.406Francetrainer46+25 sold to Finland in 1941
Nakajima E8NJapanreconnaissance seaplane1employed on the German auxiliary cruiser Orion
North American NAA 57Francetrainer
North American NAA 64FrancetrainerMost received in crates
PZL.37 ŁośPolandn/atested but not used
Rogožarski IK-3Yugoslaviafighter
Reggiane Re.2002Italyfighter25from 1943, Reggiane ordered to build more
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79Italytransportused from 1943.
Savoia-Marchetti SM.82Italytransport430used 1942–1945.
Supermarine SpitfireUnited Kingdomfighter
Zlín Z-XII & 212Czechoslovakiatrainer