GregP
Major
I'd say the most under appreciated aircraft must include the Soviet Air Force. This includes the Lavochkin La-5 and La-7, the IL-2 and IL-10, the Yak-3-7-9, and Tu-2. People forget the Soviets tied up over half of the German Luftwaffe for more than 3 years. They started with outdated equipment and were shot out of the sky and killed on the ground, but finished with better aircraft and pilots than the Luftwaffe could field.
Talk about a turnaround!
Many people don't appreciate that the Soviet Air Force flew when any other Allied Air Force would have been grounded, mostly because they understood the cold and the snow and the requirements of the cold and the snow. We never did, and neither did the Germans. Ask any German soldier who was within 100 miles of Moscow and thought it was a sure conquest.
Also, I'd nominate the Japanese Emily flying boat and the Kawanishi Shinden-Kai. The Ki-43 was VERY underrated except by those who died when they met it.
The Do-24 saved many thousands of lives and was every bit as good or better than the PBY Catalina.
As stated above, many in the U.S.A. do not credit the Lancaster. I agree, but also do not discount the Halifax, which was a very good aircraft in its own right.
Last, most people discount the Bf 109 when talking about the greatest fighter of WWII. They conveniently forget that pilots flying it shot down more allied aircraft than any other aircraft mount in history. Surely the plane that shoots down the most opponents, regardles of the outcome, should be regarded as a great plane.
The 109 had its faults, but was the best at air-to-air combat by a large margin, if you consider kills by victor type.
My candidate for the least-appreciated aircraft that performed a vital role is the Curtiss C-46. Hauled more than a C-47 and was every bit as rugged. Many still fying.
Another home-grown example is the Martin Baltimore. Did yeoman duty in North Africa for the British.
Many more, including the IAR-80 and IAR-81 and the old reliable P-40, which is largely discounted as a good mount but still compiled a good combat record.
Likewise, the P-39 had its detractors, but was a wonderful performer below 15,000 feet.
Talk about a turnaround!
Many people don't appreciate that the Soviet Air Force flew when any other Allied Air Force would have been grounded, mostly because they understood the cold and the snow and the requirements of the cold and the snow. We never did, and neither did the Germans. Ask any German soldier who was within 100 miles of Moscow and thought it was a sure conquest.
Also, I'd nominate the Japanese Emily flying boat and the Kawanishi Shinden-Kai. The Ki-43 was VERY underrated except by those who died when they met it.
The Do-24 saved many thousands of lives and was every bit as good or better than the PBY Catalina.
As stated above, many in the U.S.A. do not credit the Lancaster. I agree, but also do not discount the Halifax, which was a very good aircraft in its own right.
Last, most people discount the Bf 109 when talking about the greatest fighter of WWII. They conveniently forget that pilots flying it shot down more allied aircraft than any other aircraft mount in history. Surely the plane that shoots down the most opponents, regardles of the outcome, should be regarded as a great plane.
The 109 had its faults, but was the best at air-to-air combat by a large margin, if you consider kills by victor type.
My candidate for the least-appreciated aircraft that performed a vital role is the Curtiss C-46. Hauled more than a C-47 and was every bit as rugged. Many still fying.
Another home-grown example is the Martin Baltimore. Did yeoman duty in North Africa for the British.
Many more, including the IAR-80 and IAR-81 and the old reliable P-40, which is largely discounted as a good mount but still compiled a good combat record.
Likewise, the P-39 had its detractors, but was a wonderful performer below 15,000 feet.