best fighter of ww II

[Lightning Guy]

The daylight raids couldn't have been (and were) continued with the P-38. P-38s were the first Allied fighters over Berlin. Unfortunately they were never available in the ETO in the numbers really required.

 

[Lightning Guy]

Sorry, but I have a typo in that last post. Couldn't should have read could've.

 

[lesofprimus]

They could have been available in the ETO, but since they had problems performing there, they were sent to the PTO, where they were screaming for them....

 

[Lightning Guy]

And don't forget they were screaming for them in the MTO where they were facing essentially the same opposition they were facing in the ETO.

 

[lesofprimus]

I dont know about the Med, but the reason they were screamin in the PTO was because the planes they were usin were crap vs the Zero....

I dont think the planes that were bein used in the Med by the Allies were crap...

And as far as i know, there was only one unit that transitioned from -47's to the -38.... All the others transtioned OUT of the -38 and into a new replacement aircraft... Not really typical of the "Best Fighter"...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

our hurricanes (and some spits) were doing ok for themselfs in the med.....................

 

[Lightning Guy]

But only the P-38 had the range to hit targets over the Med. And it was in the MTO that the P-38 earned the nicknamed "Fork-tailed Devil." It should also be noted that by the time the P-38L was arriving in Europe the decision had already been made to switch to the P-51. That decision probably had more to do with economics (P-51s being cheaper to build and maintain) that with performance.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

numerous twin engined bombers and a couple of fighters (pricipally the beau) had the range for the med, the P-38 wasn't the only one...............

 

[lesofprimus]

It should also be noted that by the time the P-38L was arriving in Europe the decision had already been made to switch to the P-51. That decision probably had more to do with economics (P-51s being cheaper to build and maintain) that with performance.

I dont really believe that... In all circles that I have read about, or watched, the P-51 was generally superior to the P-38 (except maybe the pilots that flew -38's...) which is why they implemented the transition... ...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

any documentary will tell you that all pilots loved the P-51 and said it was a pilot's dream, and that it was the best plane they ever flew, some of those men had already flown the P-38.........................

 

[lesofprimus]

Good point.. I have also seen this as well....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and you can't argue with someone who's flown both..................

 

[lesofprimus]

If they are a crap ass pilot u can, but most of these guys were seasoned vets with many combat hours logged...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

you coulod still argue with a "crap ass" pilot (of which there were none), he's flown both with the same skill and can tell which is better to fly/fight in.....................

 

[lesofprimus]

Yea, but there are also a minority of pilots that flew both and liked the P-38 more....

2 sides to every coin Lanc...

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but that's only very few of those, most will tell you the P-51 is the best plane they ever flew.....................

 

[lesofprimus]

I agree...

LG wouldnt....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

LG's just out to start arguments................

 

[lesofprimus]

Actually I think we are instigating this one ....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

lets make a statement and see if LG can resist aguing...........