Just came late to this thread. There are a couple of other fighters that could be considered for purchase (and were actually used by smaller countries as first line fighters in this period.) Most of them even served with some success in early WW2 years - obviously not much 'cos by then they were obsolete.
Gloster Gauntlet - one of the most maneuverable fighters in service at the time.
Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Mercury VI S2 9-cylinder radial engine, 645 hp (481 kW)
Maximum speed: 200 knots (230 mph, 370 km/h) at 15,800 ft (4,820 m)
Range: 400 nm [3] (460 mi, 740 km)
Service ceiling: 33,500 ft (10,210 m)
Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min [3] (11.7 m/s)
Wing loading: 12.6 lb/ft² (61.6 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.162 hp/lb ( 266 W/kg)
Climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m): 9 min
Bristol Bulldog IV - export version used by Finland
Powered by a 640 hp (480 kW) Bristol Mercury radial piston engine; 18 built by Bristol. Not sure of the performance specs but one did shoot down an SB2 during the Winter War - in a dive!
Hawker Fury - export version used by Yugoslavia and ordered by Spain but not delivered due to Civil War. The Yugoslav ones had two extra guns under the lower wings. Spain apparently ordered these as replacements for their Nieuport Delage 52 because their orignal choice - the Peashooter was too expensive!
The Yugoslav model with cantilever undercarriage, reduced wing area (250 sq. ft), 745-h.p. Kestrel XVI, and 252-m.p.h. top speed at 16,000 ft was the fastest of all versions.
Some pics here - http://www.luciano.tamietto.name/planes/fury3.htm
Bleriot SPAD 510 - last biplane fighter used by France and also supposed to be very maneuverable.
Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs liquid-cooled V12 engine, 516 kW (690 hp)
Maximum speed: 370 km/h (200 knots, 230 mph)
Range: 875 km (472 nm, 543 miles)
Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,650 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.85 m/s (2,920 ft/min)
Armament
4 × 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns
I personally would choose the export Fury - proven design, very easy to fly, fast climber and maneuverable, 4 guns, comparatively big engine for the period with corresponding performance, and cheaper than some of its competitors Peashooter and the I-16 (?).
Gloster Gauntlet - one of the most maneuverable fighters in service at the time.
Powerplant: 1 × Bristol Mercury VI S2 9-cylinder radial engine, 645 hp (481 kW)
Maximum speed: 200 knots (230 mph, 370 km/h) at 15,800 ft (4,820 m)
Range: 400 nm [3] (460 mi, 740 km)
Service ceiling: 33,500 ft (10,210 m)
Rate of climb: 2,300 ft/min [3] (11.7 m/s)
Wing loading: 12.6 lb/ft² (61.6 kg/m²)
Power/mass: 0.162 hp/lb ( 266 W/kg)
Climb to 20,000 ft (6,100 m): 9 min
Bristol Bulldog IV - export version used by Finland
Powered by a 640 hp (480 kW) Bristol Mercury radial piston engine; 18 built by Bristol. Not sure of the performance specs but one did shoot down an SB2 during the Winter War - in a dive!
Hawker Fury - export version used by Yugoslavia and ordered by Spain but not delivered due to Civil War. The Yugoslav ones had two extra guns under the lower wings. Spain apparently ordered these as replacements for their Nieuport Delage 52 because their orignal choice - the Peashooter was too expensive!
The Yugoslav model with cantilever undercarriage, reduced wing area (250 sq. ft), 745-h.p. Kestrel XVI, and 252-m.p.h. top speed at 16,000 ft was the fastest of all versions.
Some pics here - http://www.luciano.tamietto.name/planes/fury3.htm
Bleriot SPAD 510 - last biplane fighter used by France and also supposed to be very maneuverable.
Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Xbrs liquid-cooled V12 engine, 516 kW (690 hp)
Maximum speed: 370 km/h (200 knots, 230 mph)
Range: 875 km (472 nm, 543 miles)
Service ceiling: 10,500 m (34,650 ft)
Rate of climb: 14.85 m/s (2,920 ft/min)
Armament
4 × 7.5 mm MAC 1934 machine guns
I personally would choose the export Fury - proven design, very easy to fly, fast climber and maneuverable, 4 guns, comparatively big engine for the period with corresponding performance, and cheaper than some of its competitors Peashooter and the I-16 (?).
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