1939 Aircraft Production Figures Bob Hart October 14, 2008

Discuss this article in the forums.

The aircraft production figures for the top five countries in 1939 were:

• United Kingdom: 7,940
• United States: 2,141
• USSR: 10,382
• Germany: 8,295
• Japan: 4,467

The quoted figures show some very interesting trends, mainly Britain was re-arming at a faster rate than often believed. However many of the aircraft types in production would prove to be obsolete by the middle of 1940. A large proportion of the British numbers were second line aircraft-transports, trainers, and maritime recon. Nevertheless the British aircraft industry was in good shape at this time.

The American aircraft production had not begun to spike, though preparations were in place. The important factor was the United States had a variety of modern types under development which would enter service in the mid war years.

The USSR experience in Spain had proven the front line aircraft of the Soviet Union were obsolete. The lessons of that conflict strongly impacted the Soviet aircraft industry. Modern types were given the highest priority, but many obsolete aircraft would remain in production for some time.

German aircraft production was steadily increasing, though by no means was German industry on a "Total War" footing with many aircraft manufacturers devoting spare production space to the civil economy. Most German aircraft were modern with obsolete types being phased out as the planned second generation aircraft entered service.

Japanese aircraft production showed no particular sign of rapid expansion, though much aircraft production was devoted to newer types.

Source for figures: World War II History Files