1940 Aircraft Production Figures Bob Hart December 15, 2008

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The aircraft production figures for the top five countries in 1940 were:

• United Kingdom: 15,049
• United States: 6,086
• USSR: 10,565
• Germany: 10,826
• Japan: 4,768

On the back of adequate planning and decentralization, the UK aircraft production figures compensated for losses and failures of certain aircraft types. Fighter production was very impressive with the RAF stronger at the end of the Battle of Britain than at the beginning. By early 1941, over 1,000 Spitfires would be based on the Channel Front. The Luftwaffe's bombing campaign barely interrupted British production.

The year 1940 saw the rise of US production based on pre-war plans. As yet the most modern types are still two to four years away, but as the US would not suffer any direct attacks on it's industries and not enter the war until late 1941 development on modern aircraft continued unhindered.

While aircraft production did not rise appreciably during 1940, the Soviet Union continued to steadily replace obsolete types and prepare for the war that was inevitable.

Considering the offensive in the West and the Battle of Britain, the Luftwaffe grew at an appreciably slow rate, especially in the critical area of fighters. Much emphasis was placed on bomber, Stuke and Destroyer aircraft production. It can be argued Germany's tardy aircraft production in 1940 lay the grounds for defeat in 1945.

Again Japanese production was relatively low, but at this point preparations for war were low on the priorities of the Japanese government. Like most air forces the Japanese would discover combat operations would have horrific attrition rates.