Hawker Typhoon

The Hawker Typhoon is, in my opinion, one of the neatest-looking planes from WWII. It didn't do so well at high altitudes, but as a ground attack aircraft, it excelled. It was also used as a fighter-bomber, as it could carry up to two 1,000 lb. bombs. It was also a very stable gun platform, even at high speeds.





http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawker_Typhoon

Is the plane in the upper picture firing a torpedo or a rocket?

It's a rocket. From 1943 onward the Typhoon could be armed with four "60 lb" RP-3 rockets under each wing. Although the rocket projectiles were inaccurate and took some considerable skill to aim properly and allow for the drop after firing, "the sheer firepower of just one Typhoon was equivalent to a destroyer's broadside."