WWII Aircraft |vs| Star Wars Spacecraft - THE SHORT LIST

While WWII and Star Wars are completely different in some aspects, i.e. there were no X-Wings in the Battle of Britain, nor were there Hawker Hurricanes in the Battle of Endor, there are some similarities between the two.

Here they are from the perspective of aircraft.

SECTION I - FIGHTERS/FIGHTER BOMBERS

X-Wing & P-51 Mustang

T-65 X-Wing

North American P-51D Mustang

These are similar because they were both primary, long-range fighters later on in the wars. They fought in all the main battles in multiple theaters. And they were both heavily armed fighter bombers, if equipped.

Y-Wing & P-38 Lightning

Y-Wing Starfighter

Lockheed P-38 Lightning

These two are similar in payload and look. Although the Y-Wing had torpedoes and bombs, and the P-38 had only bombs and rockets, they did the same things. The twin engines of the Y-Wing are positioned sort of like the engine nacelles of a P-38, and the fuselage of both are at the same position. The Y-Wing is like some early WWI fighters, in that it had a rear gun originally and rear gunner, which, as it was in real life, was taken out to free up space and save weight.

A-Wing & P-47 Thunderbolt

A-Wing

Republic P-47 Thnuderbolt

These aren't similar in looks, but they are exactly the same in roles. Both the P-47 and A-Wings are interceptors, which means they are heavy hitting aircraft. The P-47 has 8× .50 Caliber machine guns, and the A-Wing has an assortment of laser canons. 

Star Destroyer & Aircraft Carrier

Imperial Star Destroyer

USS Enterprise, the second one at least. The first nearly perished in a legendary WWII naval battle, which is another story entirely... Also it was decommissioned.

These two are both fighter carriers... No more to be said. Many huge guns, a huge crew, and lots of protection. 

That's all for the short list. The long list will include much, much more.