WWII: range of combat aircraft 1939-1945
During the war, several heavy bombers had a maximum range exceeding 3,000 kilometers (roughly 1,850 miles), meaning that they could hypothetically travel 1,500km behind enemy lines before returning to base. However, other factors affected the maximum range of aircraft such as weight, weather, and altitude. For example, a bomber's payload could weigh several tons, which would require more fuel and therefore shorten its range, and the difference in weight before and after dropping a payload would also have to be taken into account when choosing targets.