Favourite Biplane of WWII

[Ascent]

As the title says really, what biplanes do you like and why?

Being a Brit I have a soft spot for the Gladiator. I know it's been romantacized with 'Faith, Hope and Charity' and all that and wasn't really all that succesful but I still like it.

I think the CR32 was a lovely looking thing as well, something about that under chin radiator, and for some reason the I-153 with it's uper gull wing just appeals to me.

Come to think of it the Stringbag is a lovely thing as well even if not the best looking of things.

Mmm..... Is there a biplane I don't like?

 

[futuredogfight]

The Gloster Gladiator. They Held Malta for a long time and the Finns were mildly successful with them.

 

[oldcrowcv63]

Mmm..... Is there a biplane I don't like?

Gloster Gladiator for me. too.. especially the Sea Gladiator. Talk about stepping up to a challenge!

 

[vikingBerserker]

I have to go wtih the Swordfish, IMO it was the biplane that impacted the war the most.

 

[norab]

Gladiator for me

 

[Tankworks]

N3N-3 on floats. Designed and built by the US Navy, served through WWII, very pretty in its yellow paint. There is a fellow owns one locally.

 

[baclightning]

As others have said, the Swordfish was the biplane that impacted the war the most, but for looks, I have to go with the Beech C-43 as my favorite. Even in Olive Drab, it's beautiful.

 

[model299]

I've always had a soft spot in my heart for the Henschel Hs 123.

The Beech staggerwing is a lovely aircraft.

 

[Rick65]

I've always been impressed by the Mitsubishi F1M "Pete"
The Japanese built over 1100 of these versatile and aerodynamically clean floatplanes and used them in a huge variety of roles throughout the Pacific.
Mitsubishi F1M PETE - reconnaissance float-plane
There are numerous end of war photos of Petes pulled up, often shot up and abandoned on Pacific beaches,
I wish some of these attractive and efficient planes had been saved, there haven't been many 200mph plus float biplanes.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I have to go with the Stringbag. Great impact, and ugly enough to be pretty.

 

[buffnut453]

Oh where to start with this one? Gladiator, Swordfish, CR-42, Hs123, Fury, Audax, Hart, Shark and last, but by no means least, Vildebeest. Love 'em all, I'm afraid. And that's before we consider the Tiger Moth, Staggerwing, PT-17 etc.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

If I had to make a top 3 it would be:

1. Stringbag
2. PT-17
3. Hs 123

Stringbag for the reasons I stated in my other post. I also really like the Stearman. A very elegant aircraft. I would love to own one.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

CR.32. It looks like an Italian Fighter!

 

[Crimea_River]

Avia B534, simply on looks alone:

 

[buffnut453]

I lobbed the Vildebeest in there simply because of the Endau Raid - real "Charge of the Light Brigade" stuff. If you've never heard of this event, read about it in "Bloody Shambles Vol 2" - incredible bravery by the crews!

 

[GrauGeist]

I've always liked the Curtiss SOC-3 Seagull

 

[A4K]

Henschel Hs 123, De Havilland DH 82 Tiger Moth and DH 89 Dominie.
Some other beauties aswell, but these are my favourites.

 

[parsifal]

No surprises...Stringbag for me.

As far as fighters, i like the CR42.

 

[Marcel]

Fokker C.X. Did a great job against all odds. And most of them survived.

 

[nuuumannn]

Fairey Swordfish here, too. In a kind of perverse way, I also like the Supermarine Walrus.