Best possible fighter

[plan_D]

What was the ceiling on the Ju-86P? It must have been high because Spitfire VI and VII were intercepting them at heights of 45,000 - 50,000 feet.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Ju-86P ceiling = 12,800 meters. Cant be bothered to work that out in ft, but the Ju-86R's ceiling was higher, at 13,000m.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The Ju-86R was 42,650ft and the Ju-86P was approximatly 41,984ft.

 

[plan_D]

That's not actually that good, I expected it to be better.

 

[cheddar cheese]

I did as well. Tell me more about these Spitfires though... 8)

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The Ju-86P and R's alltitude was really good for when they first came out but were quickly overshadowed by better and better fighters that could match its alltitude. When the 86 was first being designed the main British fighter was the Hurricane.

 

[cheddar cheese]

I like the Ju-86. Wouldnt want to be the Ventral Gunner though.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

All in all it was not very good though.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

and useless in combat.........

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

How was it useless in combat. It could still drop bombs. Sometimes I think you just throw things in there, thats probably how you got your 12000 + posts huh!

 

[plan_D]

It was a recce plane more than anything. High altitude Spitfire VI and VII were well known to intercept them at high altitude over North Africa and Italy. The VVS were begging Britain for Spitfire IX to intercept them.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Oh I believe it dont take me wrong. She was not a very good plane, I just think it is funny sometimes how Lanc posts stuff but give you no reason.

 

[plan_D]

I believe they did a few high level raids on Moscow during '43 and the VVS were requesting Britain to deliver Spitfire IXs for PVO duty.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I am surprised the Russians did not have anything that could fly that high because the altitude was not that great.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

alder, look into the combat achievements of the plane, apart from herald the creation of new high altitude spitfires, what did the -86 do that made it not useless in combat??

 

[plan_D]

Only the MiG-3 was capable of high altitude combat in the VVS. The Spitfire IX was superior to any variant of the MiG-3.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

alder, look into the combat achievements of the plane, apart from herald the creation of new high altitude spitfires, what did the -86 do that made it not useless in combat??

I think the plane is crap too, dont take me wrong Lanc but it could still drop bombs and act as a recon aircraft in some areas. The Swordfish was completly obsolete and outclassed and out performed by anything in the sky but was it useless? No.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

no it wasn't useless because it actually achieved something, the -86 didn't really which is why i made my original comment.........

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

In that case I will agree with you.

 

[P38 Pilot]

Guys im having a tough discision about what was the better fighter: P51D Mustang or German ME262.

P51 had better turning and movement
Me262 was faster
P51 packed .50 cal
Me262 was packing six guns(i cant remember what model gun though!)

So what do u think was better?