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| MILITARY AIRCRAFT of 1919-1939 |
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World War I was regarded as the "war to end all
wars." It also resulted in many war-surplus
airplanes. Governments were reluctant to spend money on
unneeded aircraft and the advancement of military aviation came
to a virtual standstill. The development of leading edge
technology passed to the racing
planes and the airliners.
President Roosevelt assigned the Army Air Corps the job of
delivering air mail, since it had nothing else to do. In
spite of these things, some new airplanes were developed.
The 1930s saw militant powers take over
the governments of Germany Italy and Japan. As the decade
progressed, ominous war clouds rose on the horizon.
Development began on new fighters and bombers. The
planes listed in this section were developed during that period,
but most did not play a major role in the war that
followed. However, many great warplanes were developed
during this period - such as the B-17
Flying Fortress and the British
Spitfire. They and the other great war birds of
1939-45 are listed under World
War II. |
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