Almost every German air force pilot flew a version of this distinctive tri-level plane in the later years of World War I. But the Fokker, which could make even a mediocre pilot great, made the Red Baron a legend. Flying ace Captain von Richthofen and his fighter struck fear into the hearts of Allied forces until the end of the war in 1918.

Never to be ranked among the sturdiest planes in history, Japan's long-range fighter the Mitsubishi Zero was built purely for speed and maneuverability. Its brittle aluminum body was very light and could dip and dive better than any other plane during World War II. The Zero would become the cornerstone of Japan's suicide "kamikaze" squadrons.

German aircraft-maker Messerschmitt was a warhorse of production during the heaviest fighting of the Second World War. Its super speedy Bf 109 would become the Royal Air Force's most dreaded foe, easily outrunning its competition during the Battle of Britain. The 109 was also the first fighter plane to incorporate modern, retractable landing gear.

More than for any superior technical capability, the Allies' Supermarine Spitfire is best known for its iconic status as the plane that won the Second World War. This small, good-lookin' fighter with a fiery personality was loved by pilots and saw action in every theatre of the conflict.

Despite arriving late on the World War II scene, the macho P-51 Mustang managed to become one of the war's elite planes. A Rolls-Royce engine gave the P-51 amazing range and speed, allowing its American fighters to register more kills on its wings than they did with any other aircraft.

Few fighter aircraft are as recognizable as the U.S. Air Force's F-86 Sabre, with its gaping open front-end often compared to a shark's mouth ready to attack. Production on the Sabres began shortly after WWII, using information gleaned from Germany's defunct Luftwaffe. It was just in time for the Korean War, where the plane performed so well that 25 other countries would later adopt its design.

For many who served in the U.S. Military, the MiG-21 is the definitive symbol of Communism and the Cold War. The USSR's powerful supersonic jet first saw action in the Vietnam War and became a favorite of Eastern Bloc countries due to its low production costs. Many developing nations still fly hand-me-down MiG-21 fighters.

If you've seen any military or action movie in recent years, you've probably seen an F-18 Hornet. Variants of the popular all-purpose jet have been the darlings of the U.S. Air Force and Navy since the early 80s, seeing action in the First Gulf War and in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Pilots love its easy flick-of-a-switch versatility.

All odd angles and clunky appearance, the Stealth bomber might not look good but it sure can do damage on the ground. Stealth aircraft aren't invisible to radar, but are designed to deflect it enough to attack an opponent before being detected itself. The technology has been used for high-value target missions during the recent Middle Eastern wars.

The future of military aircraft might keep pilots out of harm's way altogether. Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles have been in the testing phases by the U.S. Military for years, and wide-scale use in wartime is likely not far off. Besides lives, researchers hope to eventually save production costs with these compact fliers, which have no need for a cockpit, canopy or control panels.

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