This list covers Luftwaffe Aircraft that served in World War II as defined by the year 1939-1945, organized by the RLM designation system.
The Luftwaffe of the Third Reich officially existed from 1933-1945, training for a German air force had been going on as earlier the 1920's before the Nazi's came to power. The first list attempts to focus on the more significant aircraft that participated in the main part of the war. The second is a more all encompassing list to include the time before, though projects are not covered. Captured aircraft also have a list. Internal projects of manufacturers are not listed as are not many prototypes. A list of aircraft of the from 1933-1945 can be found here in the form of the Reich Aviation Ministry's list of aircraft. Planes from all branches are currently listed.
A plane's number was usually related to its RLM designation and sometimes to its manufacturer (foreign ones with captured aircraft). The RLM-GL/C designations are not all correct and sometimes are used twice. The RLM would sometimes reassign numbers, some pre-1933 aircraft just used their company names, etc.. The Aircraft names are the most common names. Other key data is sometimes listed afterward. See RLM aircraft designation system for a full explanation of the RLM system.
Primary Aircraft
This list does not primarily include projects, prototypes, captured aircraft. Consists mostly of the most common aircraft of German Luftwaffe that participated in the second world war. See German aircraft production during WW2 for most produced types.
(While the luftwafffe was not public until 1935 it had been in development in secret since the 1920's, and many aircraft made in the inter-war years were used during WW2)
Fighters and Interceptors
Arado Ar 64, fighter (biplane)
Arado Ar 65, fighter/trainer (biplane - re-engined Ar 64)
Hermann Göring to re-instate the Luftwaffe, although the Treaty was still in force, Germany had been breaking it without sanction from Britain and France.
As modern as these aircraft were, they alone couldn't be the magic bullet to prevent Germany's total defeat in the air.
No Luftwaffeaircraft were lost during the campaign, but the force's role proved to be controversial in Germany because of the strong sentiment still present in the population that is opposed to the use of force by Germany in international affairs.
The Luftwaffe had the ideal opportunity to test its pilots, aircraft and tactics in the Spanish Civil War of 1936–1939, when the Condor Legion was sent to Spain in support of the anti-Republican government revolt led by Francisco Franco.
The Luftwaffe was central to the German Blitzkrieg doctrine, as the close air support provided by Stuka dive bombers and an overwhelming force of tactical fighters were key to several early successes.
No Luftwaffeaircraft were lost during the campaign, but the force's role proved to be controversial in Germany because of the strong pacifist sentiment still present in the population that is opposed to the use of force by Germany in international affairs.
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