5 Favourite Planes

[cheddar cheese]

yes, the tempest would make a good escort 8) would probably be the most likely of those to be used as an escort and the spits and hurricanes didnt have the range to get to berlin back 8)

 

[Maestro]

yes, the tempest would make a good escort 8) would probably be the most likely of those to be used as an escort and the spits and hurricanes didnt have the range to get to berlin back 8)

No, the Spitfire Mk. IX didn't had the range to get to Berlin and back. But they were able to escort them from Tangmere / Hawkinge to a target near Orléan and back. It was very usefull during the Operation Overlord.

And it was not bad... The Spitfire Mk. IX was the army plane that had the "longer life". It served as a fighter-bomber from 1942 to 1945 and after the war, when the first jets took the place, it served as a recon plane in the "decolonisation wars".

 

[plan_D]

And the Spitfire Mk. XIV was the best dogfighter of the war.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

yes, the tempest would make a good escort would probably be the most likely of those to be used as an escort and the spits and hurricanes didnt have the range to get to berlin back

did you realise the 'stang was on that list, i think they make the best escorts, and the tiffy had a poor ceiling, it wouldn't really be able to fight above 10-15,000ft, which aint a good thing............

 

[plan_D]

The Mustang was the best escort aircraft of the war.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i'm sure lightening guy wouldn't agree............

i would however............

 

[plan_D]

I don't think me and the Lightning guy agree on much.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

very few people ever do agree with you, no offence.......

and i'm still looking for a 5th plane for my list..............

 

[plan_D]

I add depth to the site...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

depth of death?

any ideas for the 5th plane?

and if you say the B-17 you're a dead man.............

 

[plan_D]

Spitfire Mk. XIV...

 

[Lightning Guy]

The Mustang was an excellent escort, I'm not sure it was better than the P-38 and the Lightning was the better plane overall.

How about the P-38 for the 5th spot? People may argue this but I believe the P-38 was just as versatile as the Mosquito and the Ju-88.

 

[plan_D]

Yes, I would argue that.

 

[brad]

ha ha very funny but it was a great war plane and the spit should be at the top

 

[Gemhorse]

I agree that the Mustang was the best escort fighter, and I would say 'all-rounder', as it's long service history and availability today even, testifies...But there wasn't quite an aircraft whose adaptability, realiability, range, ordinanace firepower, theatre of operation and popularity [even post-war] than the De Havilland Mosquito...-Look at what was kept-on post-war...Mustangs, Mosquitos, Spitfires, Tempests [ the Sea Fury was going for years...] - The P-38's were largely scrapped, along with many other American types; the later model Spitfires were around for awhile, and although the Mosquitos weren't really built to last, they were gobbled-up smartly post-war. They were a Unique wooden-creation whose impact came in the War, at a time where nothing else could fill that Gap quite as well as what the Mossie did - The Germans even tried to copy it, combat it, emulate it, and they couldn't ! - De Havilland couldn't make enough of them !...For me, they're No.1. - No.2, Spitfire XIV, - No.3, Mustang, - No.4, Tempest, - No.5, Lancaster....

 

[plan_D]

Nice.

 

[Gemhorse]

Mosquitos ruled....

 

[Lightning Guy]

P-38s were scrapped for economical reasons and the fact that Lockheed was churning out P-80s which were better than eithe the P-38 or the P-51. And why not consider the P-38 one of the most versatile planes of the war? Escort fighter, interceptor, dive-bomber, level-bomber, skip-bomber, ground attack, tank buster, night fighter, fast ambulance, photo recon, and it was even successfully tested as a torpedo-bomber (the USAAF wasn't interested). That's a pretty impressive list. And I've really got to find some more Americans to get on this.

 

[Gemhorse]

Hey, don't get me wrong, I think the P-38 was a terrific aircraft ! - It was sad it was scrapped for those reasons, they would be enjoying the popularity today that the Mustang has...I consider them as a favourite too, but my heart has ALWAYS been for Mosquitos and the thoughtful economy to create a wooden aircraft in such time of other Material shortages...

 

[Lightning Guy]

There can be no doubt that the Mosquito was an excellent plane, extremely versatile, futuristic (in the sense of a no-gun bomber), and a great performer.