Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Tens of thousands of heavily armored IL-2 attack aircraft were shot down with 2cm or 3cm mine shells. The F6F won't fare any better.
Among many well documented cases, one that might interest you is the experience that Major Robert Johnson, of the 56th FG, had on 26June43 versus Fw190s.Are there historical statistics which show how many 2cm mine shells were required to shoot down a P-47? That data must exist somewhere.
So davebender thinks the Hellcat ... the fighter with the best kill-to-loss ratio in history until the F-15 ... is roughly similar to the IL-2? Must be smoking a strange weed or maybe had too much beer.
Neat story. I surprised that any P-47s were shot down by the inferior Me 109 Fw 190 weapons platform (2cm 3cm cannon very effective against B-17 B-24, useless against P-47/Hellcat if I read various threadsright). Its also clear that the RAF, USAAF, USN, had much greater pilots, and a much more sound tactical planning to face every scenario presented by the Luftwaffe. Thanks for the information!Among many well documented cases, one that might interest you is the experience that Major Robert Johnson, of the 56th FG, had on 26June43 versus Fw190s.
His P-47 was hit by 20mm cannon fire, damaging his tail, the canopy and shattering his engine. Unable to bail out (cannon damage to the canopy) he headed for home, but not before being attacked repeatedly by another Fw190, who tore his aircraft up with MG fire. Long story short, he made it home safely...
Thanks for the additional info! I doubt however the Brandsprenggranatpatrone/Brandgranatpatrone /Minengeschosspatrone /Panzergranatpatrone /Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Phosphor) /Panzerbrandgranatpatrone (Elektron) rounds would make any difference against the P-47/Hellcat. One needs pilots that can shoot accurately, and weapon platforms that can catch turn with them, which the Luftwaffe did not have. I could be wrong? I read that some German pilots were aces (maybe not becouse of their exagerated/overinflated kill counts)? Thanks again for the info.to set the record straight for DaveB about 2cm Minengeschoss it was not standard on LW fighters until spring of 1944. so what was used was HE and HEI but not the concentrated form of the (M) round.
I think the report shows the three to be very close overall, i was actually astonished a "used" Fw 190 A-5 held up so well against a factory-fresh F4U-1D. It's a good example how top speed figures don't tell as much as some people think they do. The American fighters were, no contest, the better in-fighters but if the Fw pilot played his cards correctly he could probably escape combat with a climb in his comfort zone.