If you were a pilot in ww2 which plane would you want to fly

[Peter Gunn]

The Brits were a pretty good judge of 'horseflesh' IMHO -- I'd like to know the impressions of RAF pilots and crew who transitioned to the P-47 late in the war and operated in Burma and thereabouts.
View attachment 597279
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in RAF Service

I'd wager it would depend on what they transitioned from.

If Spitfires, well...

I think a Tiffy pilot would be more interesting considering it's more of a contemporary/compatible aircraft.

 

[Acheron]

The Brits were a pretty good judge of 'horseflesh' IMHO -- I'd like to know the impressions of RAF pilots and crew who transitioned to the P-47 late in the war and operated in Burma and thereabouts.
View attachment 597279
Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in RAF Service

Wow, I read that the Thunderbolt was larger than other aircraft, but I never visualized it.

 

[fastmongrel]

Wow, I read that the Thunderbolt was larger than other aircraft, but I never visualized it.

If you were being shot at you just ran around the cockpit dodging the bullets.

 

[Acheron]

"Give me your lunch money!"

 

[Snautzer01]

P-47: Give me a real fight. Puny war god.

 

[michaelmaltby]

".... it would depend on what they transitioned from."
Blenhiems >> Hurricanes
No. 30 Squadron (RAF) during the Second World War

 

[michaelmaltby]

".... I think a Tiffy pilot would be more interesting considering it's more of a contemporary/compatible aircraft."
now there's a question worth examining ...
"If you were a fighter-bomber pilot during WW2 would you rather fly a Jug or a Typhoon? European theater.

 

[Peter Gunn]

".... I think a Tiffy pilot would be more interesting considering it's more of a contemporary/compatible aircraft."
now there's a question worth examining ...
"If you were a fighter-bomber pilot during WW2 would you rather fly a Jug or a Typhoon? European theater.

"Tough" question...

See what I did there?

 

[fastmongrel]

".... I think a Tiffy pilot would be more interesting considering it's more of a contemporary/compatible aircraft."
now there's a question worth examining ...
"If you were a fighter-bomber pilot during WW2 would you rather fly a Jug or a Typhoon? European theater.

Going from fading memory you were more likely to make it home safely flying a Typhoon than a P47, though the difference was pretty small. I believe it was something to do with the Typhoon had all its radiator, oil and engine in a small compact block giving a smaller more easily armoured target. The P47 had a bit more plumbing spread out along the fuselage possibly making a bigger target.

 

[GrauGeist]

Going from fading memory you were more likely to make it home safely flying a Typhoon than a P47, though the difference was pretty small. I believe it was something to do with the Typhoon had all its radiator, oil and engine in a small compact block giving a smaller more easily armoured target. The P47 had a bit more plumbing spread out along the fuselage possibly making a bigger target.

There's several cases where the P-47 had portions of it's engine shot away and they still flew back across the channel.
There was even one P-47 that flew through an Olive orchard after strafing German positions in Italy. The pilot managed to keep it under control and flew over 100 miles back to base - with damaged wings, engine cowling and all four props bent back.

 

[fastmongrel]

I am sure there's lots of anecdotes of P47s returning with bits missing but it's like a boxer better not to be hit in the first place. I don't know the exact figures but more pilots made it back intact per sortie flying a Typhoon which is the important bit.

 

[SaparotRob]

Both planes are pretty awesome.

 

[michaelmaltby]

Does anyone have a deep longing to fly a Sturmovik?

 

[Husky]

I may have chosen the Bristol Beaufighter as well but wasn't on the list.

 

[GrauGeist]

I am sure there's lots of anecdotes of P47s returning with bits missing but it's like a boxer better not to be hit in the first place. I don't know the exact figures but more pilots made it back intact per sortie flying a Typhoon which is the important bit.

From the forum's "Tree Trimming" thread.

This particular P-47 struck a chimney and still made it safely back to base.
Granted, it's not flak or 30mm cannon-fire, but still pretty impressive.

 

[Peter Gunn]

Does anyone have a deep longing to fly a Sturmovik?

No.

 

[rob23]

I have to go with the F4U. Good solid airplane, tough, fast, fairly agile and good armament. But please let it be a shore based squadron!

 

[DBII]

Looks like I am the only one to choose the B25. It is the family's favorite. For all arounf fighter, I would grab the P47. I met a man that flew P47s and then A36s. He shot down 2 planes but many close air support missions. He perfered the flying characterists of the A36 to the firepower od the P47.

 

[swampyankee]

Does anyone have a deep longing to fly a Sturmovik?

I certainly don't. Neglecting the general downsides of flying for the Soviet Union, there's the problem that the Il-2 was also performing extremely risky flying in general.

 

[Maachi]

Mine aren't on the list... Reggiane Re.2005 or Bristol Beaufighter.