As we remember the good men and women who have given their lives for our freedom, we take a look at the Second World War and how developments during this time have paved the way for modern aviation.
When you go home, tell them of us and say: For your tomorrow, we gave our today. – John Maxwell Edmonds
During the second world war, aviation became a crucial weapon of modern warfare. From the Battle of Britain to dropping atomic bombs on Japan, much of WWII was fought in the skies. Investment in aircraft technology during this time drove the aviation industry in general forward in leaps and bounds, paving the way for the modern aircraft used in passenger operations today.
The streamlined cantilevered monoplane design really came into its own during the second world war. Although some biplanes remained in service throughout the war, the design of new aircraft largely lent towards the clean, unbraced monoplane wing design.
Along with this, the use of lightweight metals such as aluminum alloys accelerated, as did the use of enclosed cockpits and variable pitch propellers. The empennage, or tail, became much more similar to those we’re used to seeing today, and aircraft began to use retractable landing gear and landing flaps, which are essential to modern aircraft.
Designed for WWII, the Spitfire was an incredible development for aviation. Small, light and maneuverable, this single seat fighter aircraft spearheaded developments in engine and aerodynamic technologies, much of which has gone on to influence passenger planes in the future.
The first operational jet fighter in the world was the German Me 262. Capable of some 559 miles per hour, it went into service with the Luftwaffe in 1944. This new technology allowed planes to fly higher and faster than ever before, and paved the way for jet engine developments in passenger aircraft around the world.
However, German and British engine technologies were developing quite differently. The Germans opted for the axial flow jet, where air passes continuously through the engine. The British, in contrast, worked on the development of the centrifugal compressor, where air is pushed outwards to compress it before being returned to the turbine.
Although the centrifugal compressor was more successful during the war, its requirement for a large face area made it unsuitable for widespread rollout due to the drag produced. As such, the German axial flow design is the one that has inspired practically all jet engines today.
The largest allied bomber of WWII was the B-29 Superfortress. Responsible for the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, this aircraft also has a less dubious claim to fame. It was one of the first times pressurized cabins had been used, which protected crew from subzero temperatures when flying long-range bombing missions, and is something we all rely on today for long-distance, high altitude flying.
Although there had been some experimentation with pressurization prior to the second world war, it wasn’t until the demands of war really pushed the boundaries of technology that it came into its own. In 1943, the Lockheed Constellation became the first widespread airliner with a pressurized cabin, followed by aircraft like the DC-6 and DC-7, laying the path for the cabins we fly in today.
As well as developing technology used in aircraft themselves, the second world war also saw the widespread use of radar for the first time. Developed in the decade preceding the start of WWII, radar had the capability to detect approaching aircraft from miles away, allowing British fighters to intercept bombers before they arrived.
During WWII, this technology was further developed for use in aircraft themselves. This allowed RAF pilots to find their enemies, even when they could not be seen. Modern radar technology is a world away from these early interactions, but nevertheless an essential component in keeping flight safe in the skies.
At the start of the war, there were very few airports that could support military operations. Throughout the war, aerodromes were rapidly constructed all over participating nations. Many of these became civil aviation bases after the war, heralding the move from flying boats for long haul operations to modern land planes.
Despite the devastating destruction and widespread loss of life incurred in WWII, many of the aviation technologies we take for granted today wouldn’t have happened (or would have happed much more slowly) otherwise. What else can you see in today’s modern aircraft that as inspired by WWII? Tell us in the comments.