Selected List of Planes in use by the AAF, December 1941–August 1942

Type	Model & Series	No. of engines	Normal Crew	Range	Service Ceiling	Armament	Bomb Load	1st Accept. Date
Heavy Bombardment	B-17 E	4	6-10	2000/4000	36600	1 x .30; 8 x .50	2 x 2000	Sept. 41
	B-24 C	4	6-10	2100/5000	34000	7 x .50	4 x 2000	Dec. 41
Medium Bombardment	B-18 A	2	6	1100/4000	23900	3 x .30	4 x 1100	June 38
	B-25 B	2	5-6	1300/3000	23500	1 x .30; 4 x .50	6 x 500	Aug. 41
	B-26 B	2	5-6	1150/3000	21-25000	2 x .30; 4 x .50 or 12 x .50	2 x 2000, 1 x 1000 or torpedo	Apr. 42
Light Bombardment	A-20 A	2	2-4	525/2400	29300	8 x .30	16 x 100 & 4 x 250	Dec. 40
	A-24	1	2	950/1000	26000	2 x .30; 1 x .50	1 x 1000 & 2 x 100	June 41
Fighters	P-26 A	1	1	550/None	25000	1 x .30; 1 x .50	1 x 500	1933
	P-35	1	1	1.000/300	30800	1 x .30; I x .50	10 x 30	July 37
	P-36 A	1	1	825/None	33000	1 x .30; 1 x .50	None	Apr. 38
	P-38 E	2	1	500/None	39000	4 x .50; 1 x 20-mm	None	Oct. 41
	P-39 D	1	1	800/500	32000	4 x .30; 2 x .50; 37-mm or 20-mm	1 x 500	Feb. 41
	P-40 D	1	1	800/500	30600	4 x .50	1 x 500 & 6 x 20	May 41
	Spitfire Vb	1	1	335/None	37770	4 x .303; 2 x 20-mm	None	–
Reconnaissance& Photo	F-4	2	1	1100/None	40000	None	None	–
	O-47 A	1	3	500/None	23200	2 x .30	None	Dec. 35
Transport	C-39	2	2-4	1500/12pl & 2cr.	20600	None	12 pl. or 3330#	Jan. 39
	C-47	2	2-4	1600/6700	24000	None	27 pl. or 10000#	Jan. 42
	C-53	2	3-4	1600/6700	24000	None	27 pl. or 10000#	Oct. 41
	C-75	4	3-5	1750/33 places	23300	None	33 places	–
	C-98	4	15	–	–	None	74 pl. or 10500#	–

Explanatory Notes

Series:

As the performance data for each aircraft model vary greatly with the series, it has been necessary to specify a series designation for each aircraft model listed. An attempt has been made to select that series in widest use in all theaters during the period December 1941-August 1942.

Normal Crew:

Except for those aircraft whose design definitely limits the number of crew members that may be carried, the above figures indicate the size of the crew generally used.

Range:

The specific range listed on the left side of the column is an idealistic range in statute miles based on an arbitrary load within practical limits of the aircraft. No allowance is made for warm-up, take-off, climb to altitude, reserve, wind, etc. Optimum altitudes and cruising speeds are used and bombs are assumed dropped at halfway point. The load carried at this range is listed at the right side of the column.

Service Ceiling:

That altitude at which the rate of climb decreases to 100 feet per minute. These figures are based on design gross weight.

Bomb Load:

NOTE: The range indicated above is idealistic and based on an arbitrary load within the practical limits of the aircraft. No allowance is made for warm-up, take-off, climb to altitude, reserve, etc. Optimum altitudes and cruising speeds are used and bombs are assumed dropped at halfway point. Range should not be confused with radius of action – the distance a plane can fly and return to base without refueling. For more specific data, which takes into consideration the differences between series, see p, 748.