Greatest Fighter Aircraft of All Time

The Basket · May 16, 2011

Also the Bf 109 developed fighter tactics.

I dont agree....the Spitfire prototype did fly roughly same time as 109 prototype but in terms of production or operational readiness the 109 was 2 years ahead of the Spitfire. The 109E was coming down stream same time as the Spitfire I

It shot down its first aircraft in July 8th 1937 well before production of Spits had even started.

Greatness is not about this or that but the whole package...not just about numbers but what it did and what it allowed. The Bf 109 allowed the Germans to go to war. And that is what makes it historically one of the most important aircraft ever built.

Glider · May 16, 2011

The Basket said:
Also the Bf 109 developed fighter tactics.

This I disagree with, its the pilots who develop the tactics, not the plane.

I dont agree....the Spitfire prototype did fly roughly same time as 109 prototype but in terms of production or operational readiness the 109 was 2 years ahead of the Spitfire. The 109E was coming down stream same time as the Spitfire I

To a degree I am with you on this with a but. When the 109 B - D versions were in production they were outclassed by the Hawker Hurricane which was a lot faster and more heavily armed. The 109 E as we know outclassed the Hurricane but was a fair match for the Spitfire I which had a similar development path.

It shot down its first aircraft in July 8th 1937 well before production of Spits had even started.
Greatness is not about this or that but the whole package...not just about numbers but what it did and what it allowed. The Bf 109 allowed the Germans to go to war. And that is what makes it historically one of the most important aircraft ever built.

This I agree with but as mentioned above in performance terms the Hurricane had the advantage over the early 109's and the Me 109 never dominated all its potential opponents. The balance swung between them and no one is doubting its performance or claim to fame.

Njaco · May 17, 2011

Not sure I agree with you totally Glider. I believe the 109 did dominate the Spit I at least in the first few months of the BoB. The fuel injection gave it an advantage over the Spitty. The only disadvantage that I see - for that time - was the short time it had for battle. While the pilots of the LW were more experienced at that stage the constant worry of fuel range I would say played a major role in length of combat. Many times, escorting 109s simply left the scene to scoot back to France or ditch the Channel. Without that, the 109 would have duked it out with Spit for a longer period and shown its dominance. In fact I think I read somewhere - will have to look - that there were more Spits shot down from A2A combat with fighters than 109s shot down. I could be mistaken.

The Basket · May 17, 2011

It was the 109 which drove production of the Spitfire in the 1930s.

Greatest is not about top speed at 16,000 ft. Because the F-15 is faster than either the 109 OR Spitfire

If purely figures were the basis then the Mig-25 would win this hands down.

Njaco · May 17, 2011

in WWII?

The Basket · May 17, 2011

This is greatest of all time. Not ww2...nor the best.

Njaco · May 17, 2011

You're right! My mistake. Been readig too much of the Spit vs Fw 190 thread!!!

DerAdlerIstGelandet · May 17, 2011

While I do not agree that the Bf 109 was on the best fighter of all time, it certainly was just as important as the P-51, Fw 190 and Spitfire and would deserve to be in contention with them.

Out of the aircraft on this list, I find it hard to go against the F-15.

Glider · May 17, 2011

Njaco said:
Not sure I agree with you totally Glider. I believe the 109 did dominate the Spit I at least in the first few months of the BoB. The fuel injection gave it an advantage over the Spitty. The only disadvantage that I see - for that time - was the short time it had for battle. While the pilots of the LW were more experienced at that stage the constant worry of fuel range I would say played a major role in length of combat. Many times, escorting 109s simply left the scene to scoot back to France or ditch the Channel. Without that, the 109 would have duked it out with Spit for a longer period and shown its dominance. In fact I think I read somewhere - will have to look - that there were more Spits shot down from A2A combat with fighters than 109s shot down. I could be mistaken.

I can understand your points and do not, definately do not want, to start another which is the best debate. Most consider them a good match for the majority of the time with a slight advantages to one or the other depending on the versions involved and the year/month in question. However I don't believe that one dominated the other and even if it did, it, either SPit or 109, certanly didn't dominate the skies for 30 years as the F15 did. Its that period of time which is what I base my case on

The Basket · May 18, 2011

The reason i choose the 109 is not climb rate but historical significance. The Hawker Sea Fury is easily better than the 109 but what did the Sea Fury do in comparison?

Glider · May 18, 2011

Its as good a reason as any.

Greatest Fighter Aircraft of All Time

Which is the best

Sabre F-86

Mig 21 Fishbed

Mig 15

Spitfire

FW-190

P-51

Harrier

F-15 Eagle

Sopwith Camel

Fokker DR1

F4-Phantom

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