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Polikarpov's lineage I-16 -> I-180 -> I-185 matches perfectly the criterium of the growing potential. The latter was produced even in a small series for front-line tests. The problem of Polikarpov's fighters was rather soviet voluntarism than any performance or technological issues. I-185 was undoubtedly the best soviet fighter in 1942-1943. Even in 1944-1945 it could outperform any other soviet fighter upon the condition of its further development.No other 1930's fighter can match that.
Is there any part at all that work on P-47 that came from the P-43, aside from fasteners (rivets, screws, nuts. etc?). P-35-P-43-P-47 is a direct lineage.
It's a long ten years with rapid advances. Nothing from 1930 can compete with 1939. With this in mind we need to look at each year in isolation, or maybe periods of 2 years. For example, fighter aircraft introduced in 1931-32 include the Hawker Fury, Curtiss F11C Goshawk, Polikarpov I-5 and Fiat CR.30.Basically if we are looking for the best fighter of 1930s and not a favorite we are looking at fighters that went into service in 1938-39.
I like it. It takes some Google Foo skills to find them all. Here's a good list to start with List of fighter aircraft - WikipediaOr we can use "moving best" from 1930 to 1939 start with a 1930 and end with a 1939 fighter
Well, the P-44 was not mentioned but the P-43 and P-44 were definitely in the conceptual food chain to the P-47B. They were essentially re-worked P-43 to adapt to higher gross weight and new R-2800Is there any part at all that work on P-47 that came from the P-43, aside from fasteners (rivets, screws, nuts. etc?)
It seems like there was a bunch of stuff different and it was not just a scale up job. Yes there is a lot of family resemblance.
P-40 gets scratched too. 1st production plane showed up in April 1940 and was delivered to the Army in June of 1940.We may debate if first flight or introduction date is the better to decide on where an aircraft fits on the timeline, but to me introduction date is best. For example, the Focke-Wulf Fw 190 first flew in spring 1939, but did not enter service until summer 1941, which IMO disqualifies the Fw 190 as a "1930s fighter".
Well the P-47 and P-43 may in conceptual food chain but then so were the Hurricane and TyphoonWell, the P-44 was not mentioned but the P-43 and P-44 were definitely in the conceptual food chain to the P-47B. They were essentially re-worked P-43 to adapt to higher gross weight and new R-2800
OK.All had turbosuperchargers
The P-44 was supposed to be powered by the R-2180, a 14 cylinder engine using the same size cylinders as the R-2800. Most drawing show two guns in the cowl and 2 guns in each wing. Not sure if they ever cut any metal on the P-44.P-44 and P-47 powered with P&W R-2800
I guess my vote goes to P35 for no 3 in the 1930s based on the traceable geneology to XP-47J.
P-47 was a brand new aircraft, not yet another derivative of the P-35 (just like the F8F was a brand new aircraft, not the F6F Lite, let alone a new version of the F4F, or just like the Tempest was not yet another derivative of the Hurricane).If your critiera is the design with the best growth potential, the P-35 wins, hands down. P-35-P-43-P-47 is a direct lineage. No other 1930's fighter can match that. Compare the 1945 P-47N to the other designs derived from 1930's fighters and no other even comes close. The P-47 was better at everything that was important, capable of longer range, better altitude capability and was even superb at ground attack.
In contrast, the P-36-P-40 and Hurricane pretty much ran out of steam by 1942, the Spitfire would have been relegated to training had Sir Hooker not come up with the 60 Series Merlin,
he USAAC competition that led to procurement of both the P-36 and P-35 was a remarkable acquisition effort. Having two "winners" provided the best USAAF fighters in the short term, equally vital to the Allies, as well as leading to a lineage that was vital in the longer term.
It took too long to get into service. The first production P-36A was delivered to Wright Field in April of 1938. The problems were many and the 4th squadron to get any at all 1938 got theirs in Dec 1938.Curtiss P-36 Hawk (United States): The P-36 Hawk, developed by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, was an important transitional fighter between the biplane and monoplane eras. It featured retractable landing gear and an enclosed cockpit, marking significant advancements in design.
Polikarpov I-16 (Soviet Union): The I-16, known as the "Ishak" or "Rata," was a Soviet fighter with an innovative design for its time, featuring a cantilever monoplane layout, retractable landing gear, and gull-winged design. It was among the world's first low-wing monoplane fighters with retractable landing gear.
Kind of covered above.Hawker Hurricane (United Kingdom): Like the Spitfire, the Hurricane's significance is often associated with World War II. However, it first flew in 1935 and was already in service by the late 1930s. The Hurricane played a crucial role in the early years of the war, particularly during the Battle of Britain.
Argentina ordered the P-36 with fixed undercarriage. See details here, Curtiss Model H75OLet's say you're argentina or a democractic non aligned hungary or Romania in the 1930s, which plane, politics and contracts aside would serve as the best? I'd say the best choices are the Spitfire and Bf-109. He-112, Hurricane and P-36s as distant second places.
What can you actually make? Or what can you buy or beg from suppliers?Let's say you're argentina or a democractic non aligned hungary or Romania in the 1930s, which plane, politics and contracts aside would serve as the best?
Argentina bought at least one demonstrator in 1937. They bought 30 Hawk 75-Os delivered in Nov-Dec 1938 and they took out a license and started making them (20) in 1940 with Curtiss suppling many of the complex components of the aircraft and some of the jigs and tools needed. While the first of the 20 was delivered in Sept 1940 the last was not finished until the end of 1941 with some help from Curtiss.Argentina ordered the P-36 with fixed undercarriage. For their needs I think this was a good choice.
And a large part of my invasion force from several year ago.Argentina bought at least one demonstrator in 1937. They bought 30 Hawk 75-Os delivered in Nov-Dec 1938 and they took out a license and started making them (20) in 1940 with Curtiss suppling many of the complex components of the aircraft and some of the jigs and tools needed. While the first of the 20 was delivered in Sept 1940 the last was not finished until the end of 1941 with some help from Curtiss. 20 of them were still reported as "combat ready" in June of 1954 by the USAF, make of that what you will.
simply taking which had more victories isn't really that relevant. e.g. The 109 had more opportunities than something like the spitfire, up until 1940, so you'd expect it to have more victories.I like the Hawk 75/P-36 too, but rather than just guess or promote our favorites, does anyone have statistics showing which 1930s fighter shot down the most AC before 1 Jan 40?
Curtiss would offer a license for local production for most of their designs, and would fit equipment as desired by the customer.Let's say you're argentina or a democractic non aligned hungary or Romania in the 1930s, which plane, politics and contracts aside would serve as the best?
I'd say the best choices are the Spitfire and Bf-109.
He-112, Hurricane and P-36s as distant second places.
And the Mustang to ground attack?.the Spitfire would have been relegated to training had Sir Hooker not come up with the 60 Series Merlin
So we are forgetting about all the Spitfires up to the Mk24, all the Seafires up to the Mk47, all the PR Spitfires up to the Mk19 and finally the Spiteful?. The Me109 and Spitfire are tied for first, Hurricane definitely second with the Hawk.If your critiera is the design with the best growth potential, the P-35 wins, hands down. P-35-P-43-P-47 is a direct lineage. No other 1930's fighter can match that. Compare the 1945 P-47N to the other designs derived from 1930's fighters and no other even comes close. The P-47 was better at everything that was important,