Best World War II Aircraft?

[GrauGeist]

I thought the c-46 had difficulty getting the altitud to make it over the Hump? Might be wrong....

The C-46 had a superior service ceiling well over 27,000 feet and made the "hump" no problem, the C-47 wasn't too bad with a ceiling of 26,400 feet.

The DC-3s they used early on was a harrowing ride due to it's much lower max altitude

 

[davparlr]

The C-46 seems to be one of those very good aircraft that was overshadowed by a much more noted contemporary. It certainly had much better performance than the C-47, but was not so prevalent.

 

[parsifal]

genuine question....did the C-46 remain in service for as long as some of the c-47s?

If the C-46 could do everything the c-47 could do, and had no serious vices, why have we determined that the c-47 was the best aircraft. surely the Dak was a transport aircraft, but if not the best, then why arent we giving the gong to the best in that class????

 

[FLYBOYJ]

The C-46 seems to be one of those very good aircraft that was overshadowed by a much more noted contemporary. It certainly had much better performance than the C-47, but was not so prevalent.

Had an instructor when in A&P shcool who flew both. According to him the C-46 performed better but wasn't as smooth to fly, it was also more difficult to maintain.

genuine question....did the C-46 remain in service for as long as some of the c-47s?

If the C-46 could do everything the c-47 could do, and had no serious vices, why have we determined that the c-47 was the best aircraft. surely the Dak was a transport aircraft, but if not the best, then why arent we giving the gong to the best in that class????

The C-46 is still around, not as many as the -47 but some can be found in Alaska.

The C-46 was able to out perform the -47 in some cases but it was more difficult to fly and harder to maintain. The C-47 was more efficent to operate and was more user friendly. Additionally Douglas supported their product in the field better, probably because of the numbers that were being used in the post WW2 era.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

The C-46 is still around, not as many as the -47 but some can be found in Alaska.

I think there are still some flying in Canada and believe there are some in Kenya and other places in Africa.

 

[Ratsel]

yep. Buffalo Airways in Canada (NWT) flies a C-46.

 

[p47thunderboltking]

I dont know
Id guess the P-51 was up there somewhere

 

[zoomar]

K-class blimps. Seriously, there is no such thing as a single "best" airplane in WW2. "Greatest", yes, best no.

 

[VinceReeves]

Cromwell Tank!

 

[vinnye]

That Cromwell gets my vote!

 

[parsifal]

Thats gonna hurt when it lands.....

 

[Denniss]

Must be hard for the suspension system as well

 

[Shortround6]

Early versions could do 40 mph. Later versions were re-geared to limit top speed to about 32mph. In part to help save the suspension systems even if few drivers attempted to "fly".

 

[VinceReeves]

Taking off to intercept some MiG's over Korea....

 

[Glider]

That photo always reminds me of an incident in WW1. One of the first tanks did a demonstration in front of the King which involved going down a huge drop. When the demo was over four or five of the crew came out and were introduced to the King. He wanted to look inside but was stopped by an officer who distracted him and away he went. It was only later he found out that the reason he had been stopped was because the rest of the crew were lying around inside the tank unconsious.

 

[Readie]

A contender?

 

[gjs238]

Is it powered by a Merlin?

 

[Readie]

In 1942, developed an experimental wiroszybowiec called Hafner Rotabuggy which was created as a modification of the popular jeep . In December 1942, the inventor of Rotabuggy, Raoul Hafner proposed to build a similar wiroszybowca based on infantry tank Valentine. Hafner developed powerful rotor diameter of 152 feet (46 m) and a small stabilizing tail that were to be attached to Valentine.

I'll have a pint of whatever Mr Hafner was drinking !

 

[Readie]

Madder than mad?

 

[meatloaf109]

Only if he is trying to lift the truck!