P
The P-51was a long range fighter manufactured by North American Aviation Company in the United States. Primarily used by the United States Army Air Force, Royal Air Force and numerous others. Introduced in 1942. Approximately 17,000 built.
Panhard 178
The Panhard was a French armored car manufactured by Panhard in France. Originally designed for the French Cavalry before World War II, it seated of a crew of four and was equipped with a 25 mm main armament and a 7.5 mm coaxial machine gun. It had a top speed of 72 km/h (45 mi) with a range of 300 km (186 mi). Making its debut in 1937, it had a long service history until 1964. There were over 700 of the Version A built and later, approximately 400 of the Version B.
Panzerkampfwagen I
The Panzer I was a light tank manufactured by Henschel, MAN, Krupp, Daimler in Germany. It was mass produced from 1934 to 1936 with around 850 units built. Its service history spanned from 1934 to 1954 and it was used by several countries other than Nazi Germany. It saw significant action in three wars. Its thin armor made it extremely vulnerable in combat. The tank weighed a light 5.4 tons and had a top speed of 50 km/h (31 mi) with an operational range of 200 km (124 mi). Its primary armament was two 7.9 mm MG-13 machine guns. The Panzer I’s contribution to the early Nazi victories during WWII was significant as it was used in all major campaigns between September 1939 and December 1941.
Panzerkampfwagen II
The Panzer II was a light tank manufactured by Henschel, MAN, Krupp, Daimler in Germany. Originally designed as a stop-gap tank while other tanks were being developed, it played an important role during the Polish and French campaigns. Produced between 1935 and 1943, there were around 1,850 built. It weighed 7.2 tons, had a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mi) and an operational range of 200km (124 mi). Its primary armament was a 1×2 CM KwK 30 Ausf.A-F, 1×2 CM KwK 38 Ausf.J-L, with a secondary armament of 1×7.92 mm Maschinegewehr 34. By 1943, it was largely removed from front line service, but its chassis were used in the manufacture of several other armored vehicles.
Panzerkampfwagen 35(t)
Manufactured by Skoda and CKD in Czechoslovakia, there were around 430 of these light tanks built. Although they were Czechoslovakian in origin, these tanks were mainly used by the German army after they seized a large number of them during the occupation of Bohemia-Moravia in 1939. In German service, these tanks were given the designation of Panzer 35(t) or Pz.Kpfw.35(t). At a cost of around 750,000 Koruna, production lasted from 1936 to 1940. It weighed 10 ½ tons and had a four man crew. Its primary weapon was 3.7 cm KwK 34 (t) gun, but it also had 2x 7.92mm MG 37(t) machine guns. It had a range of 190km (120 mi), and a top speed of 34km/h (21 mph). The LT vz 35s were used during the invasion of Poland, the Battle of France and the subsequent invasion of the Soviet Union.
Panzerkampfwagen 38(t)
The Panzer 38(t) was a light tank was manufactured by Skoda and CKD in Czechoslovakia. Produced from 1939 to 1942, there were around 1,400 built. These tanks were used during the invasions of Poland, France and the Soviet Union. The Panzer 38 (t) was one of the most reliable and easy to maintain tanks developed during World War II. It weighed close to 10 tons, had a primary armament of 1x 3.7 cm KwK 38 (t) L/47.8 and a secondary weapon of a 2x 7.92 mm ZB53 (MG 37(t)) machine gun. It had a range of 250km (160 mi) with a top speed of 42 km/h (26 mph). It was primarily used by the German army, and to a lesser extent, other European Axis countries.
Panzerkampfwagen III
The Panzer III was a medium tank manufactured by Daimler-Benz in Germany. Produced between 1939 and 1943, it was one of the most widely produced tanks by Germany with 5,800 built. It had a six year service history which spanned 1939 to 1945 and was mainly used by Nazi Germany as well as other Axis powers. Its main purpose was to fight enemy armored vehicles and to serve alongside infantry supporting Panzer IV units. It had a weight of 23 tons with a top speed of 40 km/h (25 mi) and an operational range of 154 km (96 mi). Its primary armament was a 1×3.7 cm KwK 36 Ausf.A-F; however, later models were fitted with larger guns. They were also equipped with a 2-3×7.92 mm Maschinegewehr 34. The Panzer III was built to be the primary battle tank of the German forces and although it outclassed most of the tanks of its time with its three man turret, it was inferior in armor and gun power.
Panzerkampfwagen IV
The Panzer IV was a medium tank manufactured by Krupp, Steyer-Daimler-Puch in Germany. Produced between 1936 and 1944, there were an estimated 8,800 built. It had a long service history which spanned from 1936 to 1969. It was not only used by Nazi Germany, but also by several other nations. Designed as an infantry support tank, it was the most widely manufactured and deployed German tank of the Second World War. The Panzer IV’s base was used for many other fighting vehicles including tank destroyers and anti-aircraft guns. Being Germany’s most reliable tank, it saw service in all German combat campaigns. It is the only German tank to be in production throughout the course of World War II. Weighing 25 tons, it had a top speed of 42 km/hr (26 mi) and an operational range of 200 km (124 mi). Its primary armament was a 7.5 cm (2.95 in) KwK 40, and its secondary was a 2-3 x7.92 mm Maschinegewehr 34. The Panzer IV was the backbone of the German blitzkrieg.
Panzerkampfwagen V Panther Tank
The Panther Tank was a medium tank manufactured by Daimler-Benz, Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nurnbergag (MAN) in Germany. Produced between 1942 and 1945, there were approximately 6,000 manufactured. Weighing around 49 tons, it had a top speed of 55 km/h (34 mi) and an operational range of 250 km (155 mi). Its primary armament was a 1×7.5 cm KwK 42 L/70 and it was also equipped with a 2 x7.92 mm Maschinegewehr 34. Entering service in 1943 at a crucial phase of WWII, the Panther Tank, which was considered one of the best tank designs of WWII, was hampered by Germany’s declining war position. The loss of fuel and training space, along with the declining quality of tank crews denied the Panther Tank the chance to realize its full potential.
Panzerkampfwagen VI Tiger I
The Tiger I Tank was a heavy tank manufactured by Henschel in Germany. Produced between 1942 and 1944, there were about 1,350 built. Weighing 57 tons, it had a top speed of 38 km/hr (24 mi) and an operational range of 195 km (121 mi). Primary armament was a 1×8.8 cm KwK 36 L/56 with a secondary 2 x7.92 mm Maschinegewehr 34. The Tiger I gave the Wehrmacht its first tank with an 88 mm gun mount, which was very effective against both aircraft and tanks. The Tiger I saw action on all German battlefronts and was one of the most feared German tanks. Although a formidable opponent, the Tiger I’s relatively low production numbers were due to its cost and expense to maintain.
The Pe-8 was a heavy bomber manufactured in Factory 124 in the Soviet Union. Primarily used by the Soviet Air Force. Introduced in 1940. Approximately 90 built.
The P.108 was a heavy bomber manufactured by Piaggio in Italy. Primarily used by the Reggia Aeronautica and the Luftwaffe. Introduced in 1942. Approximately 35 built.
The Chaika (aka “Seagull”) was a bi-plane fighter manufactured by Polikarpov in the Soviet Union. Primarily used by the Soviet Air Force. Introduced in 1933. Approximately 3,300 built.
The Rata (aka “Rat”) was a fighter manufactured by Polikarpov in the Soviet Union. Primarily used by the Soviet Air Force. Introduced in 1934. Approximately 8,600 built.
This sub-machine gun was developed in 1942 for the Soviet Red Army and was manufactured by State Factories in the Soviet Union. It had a blowback, open bolt action system that fired 7.62x25mm cartridges fed by a 35-round detachable magazine. Its light weight of 2.95 kg (6 ½ lbs.) and rate of fire at 600 rounds a minute, helped turn the tide of war on the Russian front.
This light sub-machine gun has a high rate of fire and continues to be produced today. Manufactured by State Factories in Russia, the PPSh-41 became the staple of the Red Army during WW II. Its bolt and spring firing system projected a 7.62x25mm cartridge from a 35-round detachable box or 71 round drum magazine. It had the incredible ability to fire 900 rounds per minute. The fact that it was so easy to manufacture and its light weight of 3.64 kg (8 lbs.) made the PPSh-41 one of the most widely produced weapons for its time.
PZL P.7
The P.7 was a fighter manufactured by PZL in Poland. Primarily used by Poland. Introduced in 1933. Approximately 150 built.
The P.11 was a fighter manufactured by PZL in Poland. Primarily used by Poland. Introduced in 1934. Approximately 320 built.
The PZL.23 was a light bomber and reconaissance aircraft manufactured by Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze in Poland. Primarily used by the Polish Air Force and the Bulgarian Air Force. Introduced in 1936. Approximately 250 built.
The P.24 was a fighter manufactured by PZL in Poland. Primarily used by the Turkish Air Force, Romanian Air Force, Bulgarian Air Force and Helenic Air Force. Introduced in 1933.
The PZL.37 was a medium bomber manufactured by Panstwowe Zaklady Lotnicze in Poland. Primarily used by the Polish Air Force, Romanian Air Force and the Luftwaffe. Introduced in 1938. Approximately 120 built.
