The Best Biplane Fighter of WW2

[fare]

Information about FDB-1

Gregor (CCF) FDB-1
(Canada)
The FDB-1 was one of the last biplane fighters developed, first flown in December 1938. It was also one of the cleanest and most beautiful biplane fighters, with an all-round vision, closed cockpit, retractable landing gear, and a gulled upper wing. But it was also clearly an obsolete concept. One built.
Type: FDB-1
Country: Canada
Function: fighter
Year: 1938 Crew: 1 Engines: 1 * 750hp P&W R-1535-SB4-G
Wing Span: 8.53m Length: 6.60m Height: 2.86m Wing Area: 18.02m2
Empty Weight: 1306km/h Max.Weight:
Speed: 440km/h (275m/h) (maximum speed about 470km/h)
Ceiling:
Range: 835km
Armament: 2*mh12.7mm (0.50")

More pictures in:
www.aviation.technomuses.ca/les_collections/ phototheque/dig_img.cfm?

The FDB-1 prototype flying in Chinese Air Forces during WW2.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Cool thanks.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Nice, it is a pretty plane! 8)

 

[Udet]

Can not believe some of the things I´ve read here.

In fact, a fistful of fine soviet pilots managed to shoot down Bf 109s during the first months of the war.

Dare you to tell how many Bf 109s fell to the guns of the ancient Chaikas and Ishaks...not too many; someone here said "they were losing too many planes to biplanes", non-sense.

Also dare you to mention how many of those brilliant soviet pilots were alive when 1942 started.

Right, and as Flyboy commented, a brilliant pilot flying some of the old Polikarpovs could play some lovely acrobatics to escape from a pursuing Bf 109...at least a temporary escape.

Still they would find themselves outclimbed, outdived, outpowered and outgunned by the modern German interceptors.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Right, and as Flyboy commented, a brilliant pilot flying some of the old Polikarpovs could play some lovely acrobatics to escape from a pursuing Bf 109...at least a temporary escape.

Yep - you could only do so many loops and rolls!

 

[cheddar cheese]

And only a couple of ramming attacks before you broke up

 

[FLYBOYJ]

And only a couple of ramming attacks before you broke up

Damn Russians, they have no patience!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

LOL

I do believe that most people realize that even though the old Russian fighters did achieve some limited success they were outclassed and fighting a loosing battle at the beginning of the war.

 

[HealzDevo]

I would say the Polikarpov I-153. I have heard a story that says that Goring actually issued a decree forbidding the Luftwaffe pilots from tackling this plane as they lost too many pilots to it. Has anyone else heard that story? If it is true it shows just how good the plane and its pilots are when monoplane fighters are forbidden to engage it for fear of losses.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

I have not heard anything about that. I do not know if it is true or not, but I find it hard to believe.

 

[plan_D]

That's not true. The Kondor Legion already knew all about the I-15 series fighters from the Spanish Civil War and enjoyed a massive advantage over them.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Pretty much what I knew also.

 

[Iskandar Taib]

Well if it wasn't for them who would have defended Yalta then.

Yalta? Some Russians, maybe?

 

[fare]

¿ The Best Biplane Fighter of WW2 ?

 

[mosquitoman]

Good choice!

 

[cheddar cheese]

I dont consider that a biplane and they were basically drop tanks. Its a monoplane with drop tanks shaped like wings

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

you can't argue about the fact it has two wings though

 

[cheddar cheese]

Until theyre jettisoned it does, and when entering dogfights I doubt the pilot would keep them attached. Thus, in my opinion, it is not a true biplane.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

mmmmm, there must be a specail designation for stuff like this!

 

[Parmigiano]

I believe this is the ultimate site about WWII biplanes !

http://surfcity.kund.dalnet.se/

It is really worth to navigate it, there is an incredible documentation work for all the pilots who flew biplanes.
It is also funny to compare the claims of all sides with the documents of the 'other side'

bon voyage