FLYBOYJ
"THE GREAT GAZOO"
The export Hawks had 4 .50 cals. Not overwhelming but enough to do the job if flown by a well trained pilot.
Best Fighter in Service Before 1 September 1939
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The export Hawks had 4 .50 cals. Not overwhelming but enough to do the job if flown by a well trained pilot.
Clay_Allison
Staff Sergeant
- 1,154
- Dec 24, 2008
4 .50s is just fine. Wasn't it Thach that said that a pilot who can't hit with 4 guns will miss with 8?
Clay_Allison
Staff Sergeant
- 1,154
- Dec 24, 2008
a .50 and a .30 is not enough when some of the fighters had 20mm cannon.
this is a wrong assumption, japanese Ki-27, and early Ki-43, with 2 .30 shoot down I-16 and many other western allied fighters also in '42, many of polish fighters have 2 .30 and shoot down some Bf 109.
a plane with a 20 mm is not more hard to shoot down, it's more dangerous.
Civettone
Tech Sergeant
Also, at that stage almost all fighters, including the Bf 109E didn't have armoured windshields and the pilot protection of the later E-4 and retrofitted older models.
There are several examples of Fokkers and PZL's with four or even two 0.30 cals shooting down German bombers, transports and fighters. I think the Finnish Air Force during the Winter War is the classic example of how gunnery is the real key, not the calibre nor the number of guns. And remember, they actually fought against armoured I-16s.
Kris
There are several examples of Fokkers and PZL's with four or even two 0.30 cals shooting down German bombers, transports and fighters. I think the Finnish Air Force during the Winter War is the classic example of how gunnery is the real key, not the calibre nor the number of guns. And remember, they actually fought against armoured I-16s.
Kris
Glider
Captain
If we are going for the 1st September 1939 deadline then my personal top 5 would be
1) Me109E
2) Spitfire
3) Hawk 75
4) Me110
5) Hurricane
A couple of comments I didn't think that the 109E 3 was in service in September 1939. It doesn't change my choice just an observation.
I rated the 110 above the Hurricane as it was so much faster than the Hurricane and as long as he wasn't tempted to dogfight the Hurricane the 110 had a very good chance.
Like a number of people I think the Hawk was a good all round fighter and with a bit more speed could have been a real threat.
1) Me109E
2) Spitfire
3) Hawk 75
4) Me110
5) Hurricane
A couple of comments I didn't think that the 109E 3 was in service in September 1939. It doesn't change my choice just an observation.
I rated the 110 above the Hurricane as it was so much faster than the Hurricane and as long as he wasn't tempted to dogfight the Hurricane the 110 had a very good chance.
Like a number of people I think the Hawk was a good all round fighter and with a bit more speed could have been a real threat.
davebender
1st Lieutenant
Hitting and killing are two different things unless you are shooting at unarmored Japanese aircraft.
for the time in this thread so, if, few planes were armoured
Clay_Allison
Staff Sergeant
- 1,154
- Dec 24, 2008
Wikipedia at least says the E-3 saw action in the Spanish Civil War which ended in April 1939
the export model E-3a was delivered from spring '39 so i think there are E-3 in luftwaffe for august
evangilder
"Shooter"
For that time frame, the Bf-109 was the top, with a close second in the Spitfire.
Glider
Captain
Thanks for the info.
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
Macchi C.200?
Clay_Allison
Staff Sergeant
- 1,154
- Dec 24, 2008
Introduced a couple months too late I think.
In contravention to my dislike of Wikipedia as source data:
Operational History
In August 1939 about 30 Macchis, by which time it had been given the name Saetta ("Lightning"), were delivered to 10° Gruppo of 4° Stormo, stationed in North Africa.
Macchi C.200 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Operational History
In August 1939 about 30 Macchis, by which time it had been given the name Saetta ("Lightning"), were delivered to 10° Gruppo of 4° Stormo, stationed in North Africa.
Macchi C.200 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
completely wrong M.C. 200 came in africa only early in '41,
EDIT it's right first delivery go to 10°, was in Gorizia area NE italy, but they refused the plane, so came to 6°. delivery to 10th november only 29, full gruppo have around 50 planes with reserves, so i think can't put the 200 operational at 31/08/39
Last edited:
Lucky13
Forum Mascot
So, to be counted in here, it has to be operational in at least one full squadron strength before 31/08/39?
Njaco
The Pop-Tart Whisperer
Which, along with all the other attributes mentioned, would be the reason I would pick it - it was combat tested.
