Best WW2 plane for Ukraine today?

[special ed]

Must have been the fumes.

 

[GrauGeist]

Must have been the fumes.

Lots of sci-fi authors have military or military related careers.
Gene Roddenberry was a B-17 pilot in the PTO, for example.
All this would make for a great thread, now that I think of it...

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

A lot of folks don't realize that the Americans were trying to field an attack drone in WWI.

World War 1 History: The Kettering Bug, the World's First Drone

The Germans launched their V-1 flying bombs during World War 2, but the very first pilot-less bomb was developed by the Americans during World War 1. Read on for the full history of how the Kettering Bug changed the world.

owlcation.com

 

[GrauGeist]

A lot of folks don't realize that the Americans were trying to field an attack drone in WWI.

World War 1 History: The Kettering Bug, the World's First Drone

The Germans launched their V-1 flying bombs during World War 2, but the very first pilot-less bomb was developed by the Americans during World War 1. Read on for the full history of how the Kettering Bug changed the world.

owlcation.com

Yep, the Bug was impressive but too late to the war.
Of interest, Mr. Sperry himself was involved in the project, too.

 

[hawkeye2an]

Biafra Baby is what is needed

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Biafra Baby is what is needed
View attachment 699348

Carl von Rosen - balls of steel!

 

[GrauGeist]

Perhaps the best option for intercepting and downing UAVs over Ukraine would be an attack helicopter rather than a fixed wing type.

Something along the lines of an AH-1Z, which is fast, heavily armed and highly maneuverable.

 

[RichardSuhkoi]

Perhaps the best option for intercepting and downing UAVs over Ukraine would be an attack helicopter rather than a fixed wing type.

Something along the lines of an AH-1Z, which is fast, heavily armed and highly maneuverable.

About 20 years ago I think there were over 500 old Cobra fit for service after only light refurbishment.AH-1J etc. Bell blocked sale to Romania because they wanted to see new build. I so hate sleaze.
These would be welcomed by Ukrainian forces. Drone intercepts might be easier with small plane like Super Tucano as it is quicker. I am very fond of the Slovak twin 20 mm gun pod that fits STANAG hard point, but just the 50 cal would knock down the slow Shahead and similar. I think it's necessary to keep a good 400 meter standoff due Bomb size.
I am waiting for tiny suicide racing drones with 500 grams explosives to collide or proximity burst. Less than say $1000 units with just a few on range.

 

[SaparotRob]

My vote would be the StuG IV

Hit reply by accident.

 

[hawkeye2an]

Carl von Rosen - balls of steel!

He and Zelensky

 

[GrauGeist]

Hit reply by accident.

It's no accident - admit it, the StuG IV is badass.

 

[SaparotRob]

Ya' got that right!

 

[Admiral Beez]

Okay, more Total Recall. What WW2 AFV would be most welcome in Ukraine? This would encompass tanks, armoured cars, assault guns, self-propelled guns, infantry fighting vehicles, and armoured personnel carriers.

The Daimler Armoured Car or other fast armoured cars are contenders, imo.

 

[GrauGeist]

My vote is the StuG IV

 

[SaparotRob]

M-4 Sherman 'cause they're so gosh darned cute.

 

[wlewisiii]

Centurion MKI was in prototype when the war ended, though, alas for this thought experiment it didn't go into production until November 45.

Pershing wasn't really worth a damn till the M46 version fixed some of the automotive issues.

Honestly, the M-51 Isherman would be the best possible WWII produced and massively upgraded vehicle possible. Stick a thermal sight, a laser rangefinder and a ballistic computer and I'd be willing to ambush Russians in it.

 

[Admiral Beez]

Honestly, the M-51 Isherman would be the best possible WWII produced and massively upgraded vehicle possible.

I wonder what the Ukrainians could do with the IS-3 - Wikipedia. Though my vote is to give the AFU a WW2-era AFV that can add mobility to the infantry or punch to the artillery, rather than try to fight Russian MBTs.

Did the M29 Weasel have any armour? If so, it's amazing capacity to traverse snow and mud is useful.

 

[wlewisiii]

Like all soviet heavies - poor automotives, non-existent fire control, insanely bad ergonomics, & a poor rate of fire.

Better to use even an old MBT like the upgraded T-55's & T-62's than the heavies.

 

[Thumpalumpacus]

My vote is the StuG IV

Maybe a Jagdpanther with an 88 instead? Neither gun will take out a T-72 frontally, but side or rear, the heavier round might could matter?

 

[ThomasP]

Maybe something like these (with modern sighting systems) for anti-drone work.