Specials

Timelines

Aircraft timeline special

Was the F-111A Aardvark operational before or after the F-4J Phantom II? The answer might surprice you. Our timeline overviews will give you a detailed insight in the operational dates of US Post-war fighter jets, attack & bomber aircraft, European build jets or transport & support aircraft. Besides military timelines this section will also include civil timelines, showing you for instance the most operated civil airliners.

More timelines will be added over time, so do look back from time-to-time for new additions.

This timeline shows a chronological overview of European build fighter-jets, attack- and fighter-bomber jets. From the earliest designs born out of necessity during wartime to the current generation of supersonic fighter-interceptor jets like the Typhoon, designed and build in conjunction by multiple countries.

The development of advanced bomber and attack aircraft played a crucial role in shaping the outcome of conflicts and establishing American air superiority. Let's embark on a journey through time, exploring the key aircraft in our timeline overview.

In this timeline we will look into the operational history of US fighter jets since World War 2. From the P-80 in 1945 till the F-35C in 2019, the US Air Force, Navy and Marines operated 47 major types in the role of air superiority fighter / interceptor or multi role fighter aircraft.