Recent content by MikeGazdik

As much as I like the P-63 / 39 line of aircraft, I think the Grumman F8f out-classes the Bell by a wide margin. I cannot think of any scenario in which the Grumman would not be a better fighter. The Supercobra is what was needed in 1943, still without range. The F8F was icing on the cake...

Thanks for the added info Greg. I like all Mustangs, especially all the original canopy types, A/B/C. I think I like the Allison powered Mustangs because they are even more rare, and again because of how it came to be with North American promising a better plane than the P-40, but with the...

Can't wait to see some pics at least. One of my favorite planes when I was at the "Gathering of Mustangs and Legends" in Ohio in 2007, was getting to see Polar Bear. Not exactly correct but she had the Allison! Almost regardless of the model, I have a greater love for the earlier marks in...

I think a pilot would choose the P-38, simply due to the comfort of having a second engine. I think a commander may choose the P-51 or P-47N, depending on which qualities he found to be most important. I would have to imagine the perceived stress of long over-water flights in a single...

Charts and Stats be damned, the second question is most important to me. With the listed contenders, Grumman F8f. I like a lot of the other aircraft listed, but if my butt is on the line, I want a Bearcat in this fight. This is due to it's overall package, not one particular part of its...

Oh nice. That cruise altitude puts the B-24 right in the area where the Corsair would be best. Even a better reason for the Corsair to have been given a shot. I knew the B-24's and B-17's flew in their own formations, but thought it was due to cruise speeds alone. Another thought is IF...

I made a typo in my first post. Late 1942 for introduction, not 1943. The Corsair would have been a huge improvement over the P-40's. I don't know how soon the 9th started using P-47's, other than for sure when they moved up North in preparation for D-Day. I see the Corsairs being used...

Something fun; You are tasked at forming an experimental Wing / Group. Your job is to take this group into a mission that it has not yet been assigned to that type of aircraft. What aircraft and what theatre would you decide. The only rules are it has to be aircraft that are being...

I love the Jug but.... The aircraft carrier and the arresting gear on the ship is the least of any concern. In fact, I would bet they could have been made to accept the speed / weight of the P-47. As tough as the P-47 was, it was just not designed as a carrier plane period and don't think...

Hey, this is a fantasy, don't throw facts and reality in the way!!!! As a hot rodder, first you put the big engine in, then you figure out all the other stuff. How about a nice thick cord prop, stretch the diameter to as much as can be handled. Put the P-40K airframe behind it with the...

Sorry, my eyes glossed over reading all the posts on this topic. Somehow, I came away from this fantasizing that if the Allison V-12 didn't make the cut, there may have been Wright R2600 P-36's running around at some point. Droooool.

Not sure with airplanes, but in a car, "toe in" creates a very twitchy vehicle. Toe out is more stable. But a car does not go through the dynamics of a landing plane. I could see, toe in or toe out, that on landing this would be much more of a problem than on take-off. On take-off the...

I recenlty had an interaction and wished I had pursued it further. I was in a local store, and saw a gentlemen with a "B-17 , 8th AF, WWII" hat. When I see folks like that , showing military service, I thank them often. I did thank him. On this day, I added "my grandfather flew with the...

Hang a couple of turboprops on there and you could market that as a "new" design. Those babies were sweet!

I think the success in the Airacobra with Russia is that the airplane was what they needed, when they needed it. Despite any mechanical problems with the early aircraft. The P-39 was used by the Russians in the altitudes it performed best. It also allowed Russia to have a first rate aircraft...