SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK XVI
A legendary fighter aircraft, the Spitfire participated in the Battle of Britain’s victorious outcome. With a total of 20,351 built, it as also successfully operated in the reconnaissance and ground attack roles. This Spitfire Mk XVI is displayed with the markings of Adjudant Charasse of Free French 340 Squadron “Île-de-France”, Free French Air Forces (FAFL).
P-51D MUSTANG
Powered by the Spitfire’s British engine, the Mustang was the best American fighter of the Second World War. From 1943, it was operated to escort the allied bombers, but also in the reconnaissance and ground attack roles. It was still operational during the Korean War. Exhibited version D represented about half of the 15600 units completed.
REPUBLIC P-47D THUNDERBOLT
A long-range fighter-bomber, the Thunderbolt was also used to escort bombers over Germany. Extremely robust, fast and heavily armed, it was very popular with its pilots. A total of 15660 were built and operated by the Americans, the British and the Free French Air Forces (FAFL) pilots.
RMARTIN B-26G MARAUDER
Despite its controversial reputation, the Marauder proved to be the best American medium bomber of World War II. It saw action on al fronts, and primarily participated in the reconquest of occupied Europe. This Marauder is displayed with the markings of GB 11/20 "Bretagne”, one of the six French bomber groups that operated during the war.
POLIKARPOV I-153 TCHAIKA
One of the last biplanes that operated during World War II, the I-153 was totally outperformed during the June 1942 German invasion. Despite being technically inferior to the German aircraft, it was flown by several Soviet Aces. The aircraft displayed here was captured by the Wehrmacht in Ukraine in November 1941 and brought to France to be evaluated.
YAKOVLEV YAK-3
The production of Yakovlev fighters is the greatest in history. With 36732 aircraft built, including 4848 Yak-35. When it appeared on the front, the Yak-3 proved as fast and more agile than the German fighters, to which it caused heavy losses. It was operated by the Soviet air force and namely by the “Normandie-Niemen” Fighter Regiment which logged 273 victories on the Eastern Front. In June 1945, this unit returned to Le Bourget with its 40 Yak-35, offered by Stalin. The aircraft shown here is the sole survivor of this saga.
FOCKE WULF FW 190A-8
Operating from Le Bourget airfield in 1941, a unit of Fock-Wulf Fw 190s was assigned to the Channel Front where it outperformed the British Spitfire. Very robust, agile and fast, it was used as an interceptor, but also as a fighter-bomber. More than 20000 were built. This aircraft displayed with the markings of Josef Priller, a German Ace with 101 victories.
DOUGLAS C-47 SKYTRAIN
The C-47 Skytrain, designated Dakota by the British, is the military verson of the legendary Douglas DC-3. Thousands were to be used for airlift or airborne operations. In the night of 5-6 June 1944, 940 C-47 Dakotas dropped 15000 British and American paratroopers on the Cotentin in order to disrupt the rear area of German lines.
V-I BOMBE VOLANTE
More than 1500 Vis or “flying bombs”, a weapon built in retribution to the Allied bombings on Germany, were fired on southern England, most of them on London. An aerial torpedo launched from a fixed ground ramp, the missile then headed automatically towards its target.
