Very nice find, Garg.
Favourite WW2 Aircraft?
-
Hey Guys,
There are so many VARIABLES,…So many ANSWERS. May I ask what qualities we are basing our opinions on?
Beauty
Operational capabilities
Rugedness
Dependability
Most/Least produced
Most advanced technology
By country
By Theater
By Campaign
By Type
Best “fit” for the situationI’m NOT trying to be a “fun-killer” here,…but there isn’t just ONE, because the answer changes whenever you modify the question.
“Tall Paul”
p.s.—My Dad was wounded by a 500 lb. bomb dropped by a flying ME-262 he was trying to point out to his buddies. He really respects the ME-262.
His favorite aircraft is undoubtably the P-47 Thunderbolt. He once saw one attacking a German flak-tower. After taking a direct hit the P-47 staggered, then flew away. My Dad and his buddies saw something fall off of the Thunderbolt, so they went over and found two complete cylinders from the P-47’s radial engine,…yet the “Jug” still flew home. Wow!, Impressive. Dad said the XIX Air Force P-47’s saved his as* on numerous occasions. It was without a doubt, the BEST ground attack aircraft in WW2, possibly of all time.
-
Liquid cooled= P-51
Air cooled= F4U
The P-38 is purdy, my avitar was found on a P-38
Alot of B-17’s took a pounding and made it home….there all good!!! -
I said Zero because while its not visually cool, it was extremly cheap AND efficent (very light and fast)
-
Ciao Noll. Are you sure you didn’t say Zero, because you like to be different!
-
@wittmann:
Ciao Noll. Are you sure you didn’t say Zero, because you like to be different!
LoL
-
Spitfire for me. Early in the war things were going poorly for the allies. At a point in time when France fell, it was uncertain if the US would enter the war and save Britain, London was being pounded and it seems like nothing was going to stop the Nazis….a few brave men in a few airplanes seemed to save the world. In retrospect it was many things on many fronts and levels that won the war and even had Britain fallen the end of civilization was not at hand. But the emotions of a commonwealth were transfixed on that event and the echos of it reverberate throughout the generations. Many of my teachers were English x-pats, with a last name of Churchill, I was educated early and often about he battle of Britain!
-
Probably the P-51D. Most beautiful WWII aircraft by far… but good looks are only the start.
-
Hmmm,
First off, I must have at least twenty different answers to the many variations of this question!
After giving the matter some serious thought, as a military historian, I would have to say, my favorite WW2 aircraft would be the Douglas C-47 Skytrain that hauled the beans, bullets, & bast*rds w/parachutes that made everything else possible.
I kind of surprised myself with this answer after reading so many books about the “Jugernaught” P-47 Thunderbolts and “Whistling Death” F-4U Corsairs.
I’m certain that this isn’t the sexiest answer, and a lot of people here might be groaning now, but I feel that the C-47 in doing it’s job, made more of an impact than any other aircraft in WW2 for the allies.
And remember, General George S. Patton, a serious TANK expert, said the same thing about the 2-1/2 ton truck!
I’d love to “discuss” all of the different variables included in this question. Such as Fighter, Bomber, American, German, most effective, most feared, fastest, etc., etc, etc.
“Tall Paul”
-
Well, as far as favorite goes… it is a matter of opinion and really not based on any particular set of variables.
Paul: Is the C-47 your favorite plane? Disregarding what you think of its historical impact… is it your favorite?
-
LHoffman.
NO!
The C-47 is definately not my favorite WW2 aircraft. I simply answered the question using ONE of the many variables available,…HISTORICAL IMPACT.
The P-51 Mustang was a beautiful aircraft, the P-47 Thunderbolt was a rugged and destructive S.O.B., the F-4U Corsair was a Zero-shredder, the ME-262 was a fearsome-looking design, etc., etc. Another “pretty” design that comes to mind is the Japanese Dinah. Very sleek and pretty lines on this aircraft. Somewhat reminiscent of the HE-111’s clean-flowing design, only better.
Having read and studied some 4,000+ books on WW2 I must admit to having SEVERAL FAVORITES.
I ententionally hoped to provoke some intelligent and interesting discussion on this far-ranging topic. We can all learn from others that may have experinced or read something we have yet to do.
“Tall Paul”
-
Oh, okay. I just thought I’d ask because 99.9% of people would name a plane that is considered a combat/attack aircraft, as opposed to an air transport. I won’t judge your choice… just making sure it is your favorite.
-
Oh, okay. I just thought I’d ask because 99.9% of people would name a plane that is considered a combat/attack aircraft, as opposed to an air transport. I won’t judge your choice… just making sure it is your favorite.
My friend Tall Paul is a philoslopher.
-
Who is the picture of Worsham?
-
ABWorsham,
Haha, that could be construed as either a good or bad comment, but I understand what you meant. I was only trying to show that I, like most of you, have more than only one “favorite” WWII aircraft.
For me it’s very hard to read about Navy “Jolly Rodgers” and Marines units that flew the
F-4U Corsairs without having a healthy respect and warm place in my heart for them and their aircraft. Same for any number of aircraft like the
B-25 “Commerce Raiders” that had up to 14 forward-facing .50 calibre m.g.'s that also flew at tree-top level and skip-bombed ships or para-fragged airbases. And there are so many other examples!@ABWorsham:
My friend Tall Paul is a philoslopher.
I’m happy we all have A&A.Org to share our ideas/opinions with each other. I’m constantly intertained and/or educated. And what a GREAT game A&A is, Wow!
“Tall Paul”
-
@Tall:
ABWorsham,
Haha, that could be construed as either a good or bad comment, but I understand what you meant. I was only trying to show that I, like most of you, have more than only one “favorite” WWII aircraft.
For me it’s very hard to read about Navy “Jolly Rodgers” and Marines units that flew the
F-4U Corsairs without having a healthy respect and warm place in my heart for them and their aircraft. Same for any number of aircraft like the
B-25 “Commerce Raiders” that had up to 14 forward-facing .50 calibre m.g.'s that also flew at tree-top level and skip-bombed ships or para-fragged airbases. And there are so many other examples!@ABWorsham:
My friend Tall Paul is a philoslopher.
I’m happy we all have A&A.Org to share our ideas/opinions with each other. I’m constantly intertained and/or educated. And what a GREAT game A&A is, Wow!
“Tall Paul”
Comment meant with the upmost respect.
-
@wittmann:
Who is the picture of Worsham?
The person in the picture is Maximilian von Spee, leader of the Kaiser’s Asian Cruiser squadron and the victor of the Battle of Coronel.
He may have had the worst situation of any commander in either World Wars. His outdated cruisers were hunted by Japan, Australia, France and England. All he could do, in his own words was cause as much chaos and trouble for the Allies before his death. Met his death in the Falkland Islands.
-
ABWorsham,
@ABWorsham:
Comment meant with the upmost respect.I have no doubt about that. I was only throwing out a little self-criticism to bring forth a little levity.
“Tall Paul”
-
Thank you Worsham. Interesting choice, glad I asked.
-
A very tough question, there are so many great planes!
After a minute or so of hard thinking one rose above the rest.
Had you seen that from below, you would had known that now begun a serious fight for your life.
In that fine aircraft every little detail shines a simple and clear message: Killer.
-
@Tall:
Hmmm,
First off, I must have at least twenty different answers to the many variations of this question!
After giving the matter some serious thought, as a military historian, I would have to say, my favorite WW2 aircraft would be the Douglas C-47 Skytrain that hauled the beans, bullets, & bast*rds w/parachutes that made everything else possible.
I kind of surprised myself with this answer after reading so many books about the “Jugernaught” P-47 Thunderbolts and “Whistling Death” F-4U Corsairs.
I’m certain that this isn’t the sexiest answer, and a lot of people here might be groaning now, but I feel that the C-47 in doing it’s job, made more of an impact than any other aircraft in WW2 for the allies.
And remember, General George S. Patton, a serious TANK expert, said the same thing about the 2-1/2 ton truck!
I’d love to “discuss” all of the different variables included in this question. Such as Fighter, Bomber, American, German, most effective, most feared, fastest, etc., etc, etc.
“Tall Paul”
I found your answer to be very interesting out of the box thinking.
I just want to remind you what would had that plane done if not escorted by fighters? Bring some supplies far behind enemy lines.
Everything in Aerial Warfare starts from fighters. They are the ground to build upon other operations.
Suggested Topics
