The Best Bf - 109 Variant ?

[the lancaster kicks ass]

that's the one.................

 

[MP-Willow]

A spitfire's range was not that much better then the 109. Now granted the spit did develope range better. But for range in a fighter I'll take the A6M2

Lanc, a Stringbag was slow cold and did well because it was so bad. But when the Spits got to Malta the Swordfish were not flown.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

yes they were, well firstly it was mainly beauforts doin the anti-shipping role, but swordfish were still used, the spit couldn't be used at a torpedo plane could it..................

 

[Gemhorse]

Not too sure if they tried that, but they tried it with floats....

 

[Andrew]

The Spit, in any variation, was sexier than the 109...

The Spitfire in any variation was far sexier than anything, apart from the Mosquito

 

[Lightning Guy]

I've never seen anything about trying a spit with a torpedo. I imagine the length of British torpedoes might have caused a bit of a problem.

 

[lesofprimus]

I do remember seeing a Spit with floats on it, but not with a torp strapped to its belly....

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

i've seen a pic of a spit with floats, but there's no way a landbased spit could take a torp....................

 

[lesofprimus]

I agree...

 

[MP-Willow]

Floats yes I have a poor picture of it. It was an experiment I think much like the Japanese and the A6M on floats. Both were looking for fighters that could patrol the islands in the Pacific as I remember before carriers were all the rage and not a lot of Island bases. But both programs were not developed.

Now if you want Sex appeal in a fighter, the Italians did have that But I would take Mae West

 

[lesofprimus]

The Shiden started out as a float plane in the initial stages of its developement...

 

[Lightning Guy]

Float plane fighters, in general, weren't very good ideas. The drag the floats imposed serious limits on performance.

 

[MP-Willow]

Yes the floats were not a good idea, but it was intended as a stop gep thing. If I want a floatplance I want a Seaplane, A PB2Y or Martin PBM

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

The Shiden started out as a float plane in the initial stages of its developement...

are you sure, the shiden was a land based intorceptor...............

 

[Lightning Guy]

The Shiden began life as the N1K1 Kyofu ("Mighty Wind") codename: Rex.

 

[GermansRGeniuses]

For a seaplane as a "personal pet" aircraft, I'd want a Martin Seamaster jet flying boat...

 

[Lightning Guy]

Or a SeaDart . . . a supersonic jet flying boat.

 

[MP-Willow]

Both of them are nice craft, but I would just like one to be able to fly over the Maine Woods and land in some lake for a little fishing and swim. The SeaDart was an interesting project why that it was killed off was sad. SeaPlanes are just a great way to get around.

Lanc, is that one of the 4,000lb bombs that is shown in your little picture under your name?

 

[Lightning Guy]

I believe that is a 12,000lb Tallboy under his name.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

LG you're closer than MP, but it's actually a grand slam, easy mistake to make though.....................