Best looking WW2 fighter

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Feb 10, 2020

michael rauls said:
Would agree that the G is the best looking of the 109s. I have heard/ read alot of people say they find them un attractive because of the bulges etc. But ive always thought they were by far the best looking.

The bulges are one of the reasons I like them. I just think the G and K look like "war birds" and not some pretty lil racer, and that is why I think they are the best looking. Especially from the front.

GregP · Feb 10, 2020

Honorable Mention: Fiat G.56. They only made ONE, but it "fixed" most of the Bf 109's shortcommings.

https://www.artscale.eu/out/pictures/z1/48A21771-F3C2-46D6-BDF2-9EEAABDE3A6E_sh72182.jpg

Had a decent windscreen, wide-set landing gear, actual rudder and elevator trim, and was said to fly beautifully. They needed to make a LOT more, but that's a "what if" I will not pursue.

#2: McDonnell XP-67 "Bat." It wasn't produced but it flew, and it looked quite good even if the performance numbers weren't quite up to the level of the specified-but-never-seen horsepower of the experimental engines.

http://www.lonesentry.com/images/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xp-67-bat-experimental-plane.jpg

#1: To me, the best-looking fighter of the war was the Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero.

https://www.flyingmag.com/resizer/M...aws.com/public/RDT3BWIZWWQIT57M4BGYR2DNEQ.jpg

Really looks like my idea of a WWII fighter. Yes, it had limited power, but the lines appeal to me. As an added bonus, I got to work on it a bit during the last overhaul.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Feb 10, 2020

Actually two G.56 prototypes were built if I remember correctly. Splitting hairs though...

nuuumannn · Feb 10, 2020

Timppa said:
quidquid Latine dictum sit altum videtur

Yak-3

Uh oh, I watched that very aeroplane hit a crane on landing!

DSC_4025

Although I agree, the Yak-3 is sweet from any angle (taken at the same airshow).

DSC_4011

nuuumannn · Feb 10, 2020

Personally though, I love a Griffon engined Spitfire.

Spitfire static-8

Spitfire XVIII

Spitfire XIV taxi

Although Dimlee's got a point about the P-38.

DSC_0559

Elvis · Feb 12, 2020

I know I already mentioned the P-40 and I really do think that's one of the most iconic looks in WWII aircraft, but nuuuumannnn's mention of the P-38 reminded me of one other aircraft that should not be denied, at least in the looks department....

...The F7F...

...By God, if one R-2800 is good, then two is just that much better!...and regardless of what you think of this aircraft, you gotta admit, THAT is the American way.....of thinking.

TheMadPenguin · Feb 12, 2020

F7F "twiggy" (my name for it) needs to put on a bit of weight in the fuselage for looks alone, if not for fuel storage, radar electronics, ordnance stores, and ammo for extended strafing runs.

vikingBerserker · Feb 12, 2020

I vote for the Shinden or the Do 335

michael rauls · Feb 12, 2020

GregP said:
Honorable Mention: Fiat G.56. They only made ONE, but it "fixed" most of the Bf 109's shortcommings.

https://www.artscale.eu/out/pictures/z1/48A21771-F3C2-46D6-BDF2-9EEAABDE3A6E_sh72182.jpg

Had a decent windscreen, wide-set landing gear, actual rudder and elevator trim, and was said to fly beautifully. They needed to make a LOT more, but that's a "what if" I will not pursue.

#2: McDonnell XP-67 "Bat." It wasn't produced but it flew, and it looked quite good even if the performance numbers weren't quite up to the level of the specified-but-never-seen horsepower of the experimental engines.

http://www.lonesentry.com/images/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/xp-67-bat-experimental-plane.jpg

#1: To me, the best-looking fighter of the war was the Mitsubishi A6M5 Model 52 Zero.

https://www.flyingmag.com/resizer/M...aws.com/public/RDT3BWIZWWQIT57M4BGYR2DNEQ.jpg

Really looks like my idea of a WWII fighter. Yes, it had limited power, but the lines appeal to me. As an added bonus, I got to work on it a bit during the last overhaul.

Now that I think about it I think I should have included the A6m as tied fot 3rd in my pics. Not my very favorite, but close. Have always loved the simplicity and balanced proportion of its appearance.

Elvis · Feb 12, 2020

TheMadPenguin said:
F7F "twiggy" (my name for it) needs to put on a bit of weight in the fuselage for looks alone, if not for fuel storage, radar electronics, ordnance stores, and ammo for extended strafing runs.

I don't know man.
1200 miles range, without extra tanks. 1000 lbs. of bombs AND one of its hardpoints can carry a torpedo.
All that and its 80 mph faster than an F6F and 10 mph faster than an F8F.
I think it does just fine all on its own.
The F7F's sharp angles and slim profile reminds of the later Cobra helicopter.

Elvis

TheMadPenguin · Feb 12, 2020

Shinden: Just because you can does not mean you should.
Do 335: Fastest plane to make no difference in the war.
These aren't SWEET lookers. Oddball standouts, but not sweet. Not "fighter aircraft at their best looks".
F7F is too skinny for "best looks" department. And not enough ammo. After Radar is added it has 4 20mm with 200 rpg. Germany is a BIG strafing target. Japan isn't much smaller.

MIflyer · Feb 12, 2020

At least one F7F was modified with a big built in tank for as role as a forest fire tanker. It was not pretty!

Elvis · Feb 12, 2020

TheMadPenguin said:
F7F is too skinny for "best looks" department. And not enough ammo. After Radar is added it has 4 20mm with 200 rpg. Germany is a BIG strafing target. Japan isn't much smaller.

...and that is YOUR opinion.
I think its got some very sexy line and the dark blue paint scheme just adds a little badassery while implying a sense of "the little black dress".
It looks FAN-TASTIC. Don't you worry.

Elvis

Admiral Beez · Feb 12, 2020

I agree, the F7F looks unbalanced. Best twin prop carrier fighter, Sea Hornet.

Even in the hangar it looks sharp.

michael rauls · Feb 12, 2020

Elvis said:
...and that is YOUR opinion.
I think its got some very sexy line and the dark blue paint scheme just adds a little badassery while implying a sense of "the little black dress".
It looks FAN-TASTIC. Don't you worry.

Elvis

Thumbs up just for using the term badassery.

nuuumannn · Feb 12, 2020

Admiral Beez said:
Best twin prop carrier fighter, Sea Hornet

Yesss... The Hornet.

Elvis · Feb 12, 2020

Admiral Beez said:
I agree, the F7F looks unbalanced. Best twin prop carrier fighter, Sea Hornet.

View attachment 569551

Seriously?
If anything is unbalanced, its that Hornet.
It's like a flat chested girl with a giant....derriere.
No front, all back.

Elvis

tyrodtom · Feb 12, 2020

Elvis said:
Seriously?
If anything is unbalanced, its that Hornet.
It's like a flat chested girl with a giant....derriere.
No front, all back.

Elvis

Really !
With those two big spinners up front, it's like a girl with no chest ???
They remind of what they used to call Dagmars on 50's car's.
Dagmar was the 50's actress with the tremendous Ta-Tas.

TheMadPenguin · Feb 12, 2020

I'd have wished the engines back a bit on the Hornet & f7f, moving the pilot a bit forward for center of balance and a clearer field of view.
(and F7F pilot wouldn't have those 4 20mm's going off right behind his ears with muzzle flash past his face).
I've thought the same (engines back, pilot forward) with the Mosquito, one of my fav planes.

nuuumannn · Feb 12, 2020

Elvis said:
It's like a flat chested girl with a giant....derriere.

Heyyy! Like Tyrodtom says, no flat chest there, buddy, and what's wrong with a big rear end?

Best looking WW2 fighter

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