Thumpalumpacus
Lieutenant Colonel
I've been hit three times on a bike by cars; fortunately no major injuries in the events. We're so much smaller and harder to see that it's drilled into me when driving a car to be especially attentive.
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On land, as a cyclist, I know that quite well. Motorcyclists also know well. For both our groups, the sleepy/distracted/ignorant driver without the right-of-way may lose a few dollars and may even get a twinge of guilt when they hit us. Both bicyclists and motorcyclists get, if lucky, massive medical bills and months of rehab.
I've been hit three times on a bike by cars; fortunately no major injuries in the events. We're so much smaller and harder to see that it's drilled into me when driving a car to be especially attentive.
On land, as a cyclist, I know that quite well. Motorcyclists also know well. For both our groups, the sleepy/distracted/ignorant driver without the right-of-way may lose a few dollars and may even get a twinge of guilt when they hit us. Both bicyclists and motorcyclists get, if lucky, massive medical bills and months of rehab.
Well it kind of goes both ways, at least for the overconfident/ignorant motorcyclist. You know the ones riding their crotch rocket at 110 mph in a 60 mph zone, zipping in between cars, cutting in between them, and acting like a fool. I see it all the time, every day. Half the time you don't even know they are coming behind you until they vrooom right past you. If I was trying to change lanes, I'd never see them until his head is flying through my rear view window.
Yet we are supposed to"watch out for bikers." No, how about bikers take some responsibility too. And for those that don't, I have no sympathy…
As an aside, I don't wish to intrude on the prior folk's motorcycle discussion, so don't mind me...
I think the PBY would score higher had the poll been worded differently. There's gotta' be a poll for underrated plane of WW II or similar topic. The question was which plane would you like to fly in WW II. I chose the Mosquito since, statistically speaking, I should be able to run away from anything.I must admit I am surprised by some of these results, or lack thereof. I do think the original post skews selection towards what folks think the "most effective and/or survivable combat aircraft in WW2" is, however I am far more intrigued by the question of what folks think the "most influential while simultaneously survivable aircraft" are.
For example, sure the F8F is a phenomenal flying airplane and can go toe-to-toe with pretty much any other aircraft in WW2, but if you were flying such an aircraft into war, would you actually be doing much of anything at all? No, would be my answer, considering the historical record of the Bearcat in WW2, by the simple matter of timing.
One aircraft I see no votes for but had a tremendously outsized, yet humble, service record is the PBY Catalina. Serving valiantly in ASW patrols, convoy interdiction, reconnaissance and reconnoitering from all manner of forward operating positions. It provided sterling service in both the Pacific and Atlantic, while proving a remarkably stable, reliable, and 'polite' aircraft to fly. A fact which matters substantially more when you consider Catalinas were flying through and into adverse weather, and operating out of forward operating bases with very little infrastructure for repair or maintenance. Yet despite all of these factors, not to mention the threats from enemy airpower and flak, Catalinas suffered fairly light losses through the War.
I'd be curious to hear folks thoughts on that idea though, since I know there's little glamor and few speed records you'll be collecting from the ol' Catalina, but nonetheless I think it probably deserves a greater showing in this thread.
As an aside, I don't wish to intrude on the prior folk's motorcycle discussion, so don't mind me...
I think the Mosquito is an entirely fair choice. Indeed it would've probably been my No.2 or No.3, though I admit I would kill to fly a C-46. Still, I was more highlighting the PBY because I was surprised no one would chose to fly one of those, I think it's probably one of the better aircraft you could fly if your goal was to get out the other end alive, but actually do something as well.I think the PBY would score higher had the poll been worded differently. There's gotta' be a poll for underrated plane of WW II or similar topic. The question was which plane would you like to fly in WW II. I chose the Mosquito since, statistically speaking, I should be able to run away from anything.
My actual choice, not listed, is a nice, big, comfy C-54 or C-69. Nowhere near anybody shooting at me.
an even more interesting question is why the P51 has two entries in the list.I must admit I am surprised by some of these results, or lack thereof. I do think the original post skews selection towards what folks think the "most effective and/or survivable combat aircraft in WW2" is, however I am far more intrigued by the question of what folks think the "most influential while simultaneously survivable aircraft" are.
For example, sure the F8F is a phenomenal flying airplane and can go toe-to-toe with pretty much any other aircraft in WW2, but if you were flying such an aircraft into war, would you actually be doing much of anything at all? No, would be my answer, considering the historical record of the Bearcat in WW2, by the simple matter of timing.
One aircraft I see no votes for but had a tremendously outsized, yet humble, service record is the PBY Catalina. Serving valiantly in ASW patrols, convoy interdiction, reconnaissance and reconnoitering from all manner of forward operating positions. It provided sterling service in both the Pacific and Atlantic, while proving a remarkably stable, reliable, and 'polite' aircraft to fly. A fact which matters substantially more when you consider Catalinas were flying through and into adverse weather, and operating out of forward operating bases with very little infrastructure for repair or maintenance. Yet despite all of these factors, not to mention the threats from enemy airpower and flak, Catalinas suffered fairly light losses through the War.
I'd be curious to hear folks thoughts on that idea though, since I know there's little glamor and few speed records you'll be collecting from the ol' Catalina, but nonetheless I think it probably deserves a greater showing in this thread.
As an aside, I don't wish to intrude on the prior folk's motorcycle discussion, so don't mind me...
Nearly all fighters or light attack planes.I must admit I am surprised by some of these results, or lack thereof. I do think the original post skews selection towards what folks think the "most effective and/or survivable combat aircraft in WW2" is, however I am far more intrigued by the question of what folks think the "most influential while simultaneously survivable aircraft" are.
For example, sure the F8F is a phenomenal flying airplane and can go toe-to-toe with pretty much any other aircraft in WW2, but if you were flying such an aircraft into war, would you actually be doing much of anything at all? No, would be my answer, considering the historical record of the Bearcat in WW2, by the simple matter of timing.
One aircraft I see no votes for but had a tremendously outsized, yet humble, service record is the PBY Catalina. Serving valiantly in ASW patrols, convoy interdiction, reconnaissance and reconnoitering from all manner of forward operating positions. It provided sterling service in both the Pacific and Atlantic, while proving a remarkably stable, reliable, and 'polite' aircraft to fly. A fact which matters substantially more when you consider Catalinas were flying through and into adverse weather, and operating out of forward operating bases with very little infrastructure for repair or maintenance. Yet despite all of these factors, not to mention the threats from enemy airpower and flak, Catalinas suffered fairly light losses through the War.
I'd be curious to hear folks thoughts on that idea though, since I know there's little glamor and few speed records you'll be collecting from the ol' Catalina, but nonetheless I think it probably deserves a greater showing in this thread.
As an aside, I don't wish to intrude on the prior folk's motorcycle discussion, so don't mind me...
I think the PBY would score higher had the poll been worded differently. There's gotta' be a poll for underrated plane of WW II or similar topic. The question was which plane would you like to fly in WW II. I chose the Mosquito since, statistically speaking, I should be able to run away from anything.
My actual choice, not listed, is a nice, big, comfy C-54 or C-69. Nowhere near anybody shooting at me.
The Kingfisher was also a hero for downed aviators.... and if you were an F4F pilot who'd been shot down, a PBY would be your plane of choice.
The question is, why would you want to sit on a load of high explosives, flying straight and level so you'd be a sitting duck to the benefit of all flak and fighters having only 10% change to survive your first tour of missions?Nearly all fighters or light attack planes.
I was one of the few that choose a heavy bomber.
The B-29 crewman survival probability of around 77% for completing 25 missions.The question is, why would you want to sit on a load of high explosives, flying straight and level so you'd be a sitting duck to the benefit of all flak and fighters having only 10% change to survive your first tour of missions?
There were quite a few B-29s downed in home island bombing missions.The B-29 crewman survival probability of around 77% for completing 25 missions.
That was the one I chose.
I'm sure it was a piece of cake to attack a formation of B-29s with dozens of 50 cal MG spitting thousands of slugs toward the enemy fighters.
Indeed, any combat aircraft has its dangers when it goes into combat. Warships as well.There were quite a few B-29s downed in home island bombing missions.
Flak, interceptors and mechanical failures were such, that the USN stationed subs, like my Uncle Fred's USS Cavalla (SS-244), in position for lifeguard duties.
And they rescued quite a few crews.