Best Fighter Plane Of The War?

[General Mayhem]

Originally Posted by Dac

Reginald Mitchells Spitfire was one of the soundest designs of the war. Its only real handicap was lack of range due to the fact it was intended as a point defence weapon. This limited the Spitfires effectiveness later in the war when much of the aerial combat took place deep inside occupied Europe. Otherwise an amazing aircraft, still in production after the end of WW II.

On the handling of the P-51, pilots needed to be very carefull when flying with full tanks as the 90 gallon tank behind the pilot upset the center of gravity when full. Pilots first drained it to 45 gallons before shifting to the drop tanks to regain proper center of gravity. This would have caused problems for the Mustang when used in the intercepter role.

I'm more into WWI airplanes but here's my 2 cents. Once again as with tanks I just lovethe look of the P-38, though wasn't it hard to fly?
As to best fighter well I'll rely here on what I've watched and read by pilots of th period before during and since. "In the air, speed is everything." By that rule wasn't the P-51 the fastest prop plane of the war?

[kfz]

Originally Posted by General Mayhem

I'm more into WWI airplanes but here's my 2 cents. Once again as with tanks I just lovethe look of the P-38, though wasn't it hard to fly?
As to best fighter well I'll rely here on what I've watched and read by pilots of th period before during and since. "In the air, speed is everything." By that rule wasn't the P-51 the fastest prop plane of the war?

Not hard just a bit different. IT had a few novel features, interestingly the P38 was one of the few twin engines aircraft to have handed props. The props rotated different direction to cancel out the torque problems with big powerfull engiene and little airframes like Mosey or the JU88. Tricylce undercarriage too, well before its time.

Not convinced on the speed of the P-51. This US built repuation seems to come from competion machine racing after the war. I dont beleive the P51 was as fast as the big late war British fighters like Griffon spits and Furies or Tempests. Taking nothing away from the P51 it was a fantastic fighter, speed is not everything. Range, weight of shot and reliability all qualiites of the P-51.

vote oft he Best.

JU88

Kev

[cash_13]

An interesting topic that will go on as time does and everybody throwing their ideas into the arena!

Well as a fly in the ointment and not really a fighter as such although more than able to hold its own was the Mosquito

Able to cope with whatever adaptions that were needed wether it was a nightfighter ground attack recon its done it all and came back at nearly the same speed as the slower fighters on one engine and also able to withstand an incredible amount of damage...........

Ok Ok its not a fighter

So its the Spitfire then!!!

Not that I am biased living surrounded by 11 Group fighter stations like Biggin Hill Redhill and Kenley

[Gotthard Heinrici]

I went with the Me110. A truly formidable aircraft after dark!

[cash_13]

Originally Posted by Gotthard Heinrici

I went with the Me110. A truly formidable aircraft after dark!

It needed to be it was a dead duck in the daylight!!!