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Admiral Beez
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Clearly, if you're the Japanese you use them as Kamikaze.
Was Erich Hartmann flying that Falco?
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Clearly, if you're the Japanese you use them as Kamikaze.So what does a military do with the older types as the newer ones are going into service, push them into the ocean?
Was Erich Hartmann flying that Falco?It is reported that in 1945, over Croatia, a Fiat CR-42 biplane flown by an unknown Luftwaffe pilot shot down a P-38 that, probably, took the engagement too ligthly..
Clearly, if you're the Japanese you use them as Kamikaze.
Keep the altitude to 15,000 feet or lower and a dozen Westland Whirlwinds have competitive odds against a dozen Kawasaki Ki-100 or Focke-Wulf Ta 152. Many of these 1945 fighters were optimized as high altitude interceptors, with long wingspans, pressurized cockpits, H-A superchargers and in the Ta 152's case requiring MW 50 methanol-water boost (in short bursts only) to exceed 350 mph at low level.A more precise question - Is there any fighter operational in 1940 that you would select as your fighter to equip your Fighter wing against any of a dozen 1945 fighters?
If Wikipedia was for once accurate regarding performance, The P-51A with WI and Allison V-1720-81 had better performance! And the statistics presented (350mph at 15K, 5 min climb to 15K) doesn't speak to GW at T.O. Why is it better than say 1942 vintage P-39Q, Bf 109G-1, Fw 190A-5 or Spit IX? You really want the Whirlwind to be the foundation of your fighter force against F4U-4, F6F-6, Ki 100, Fw 190D-9, Spit XIV, P-51D-20 w/75" or Yak-9 in 1944? Offhand is there one dimension of a.) range, ROC, speed - low to high, maneuverability at medium to high speed, range with bomb load? or 2.) operational flexibility of CAS, air superiority point defense, air superiority at long range, bomber escort at all altitudes?Keep the altitude to 15,000 feet or lower and a dozen Westland Whirlwinds have competitive odds against a dozen Kawasaki Ki-100 or Focke-Wulf Ta 152. Many of these 1945 fighters were optimized as high altitude interceptors, with long wingspans, pressurized cockpits, H-A superchargers and in the Ta 152's case requiring MW 50 methanol-water boost (in short bursts only) to exceed 350 mph at low level.
So, my choice is clear....
Ki 100 at 15,000 feet or lower, sure. The others, no. I chose my 1945 opponents listed above very carefully for a reason.You really want the Whirlwind to be the foundation of your fighter force against F4U-4, F6F-6, Ki 100, Fw 190D-9, Spit XIV, P-51D-20 w/75" or Yak-9 in 1944?
Ki 100 at 15,000 feet or lower, sure. The others, no. I chose my 1945 opponents listed above very carefully for a reason.
Outside of the P-38, I'd put the Whirlwind up against any twin-nacelle, twin- engined, piston-powered fighter 1944/45, such as the Kawasaki Ki-102.
Well yes, that's why 1940's fighters weren't on the front line in 1944/45, or 1942 for that matter.... In this thread we're considering fighter on fighter, 1940 vs. 1945. No one is suggesting a 1940 fighter will make a good interceptor of 1945's strategic bombers, or even a Mosquito for that matter.I'm still curious - they would be lucky to ever intercept a Mosquito or B-29.
Maybe JoeB, my source was a post of, checked the wrong day but on the 12th there were not A6M loss, and the bomber loss was a G3MThe action occurred on the 10th and 12th, the PAAF 6th Pursuit Squadron downed 3 A6Ms and one G4M total before withdrawing.
Typo on my part regarding the G3M, however, I'm glad you mentioned Joe Baugher.Maybe JoeB, my source was a post of, checked the wrong day but on the 12th there were not A6M loss, and the bomber loss was a G3M
Operational History of Boeing P-26Despite their total obsolescence, the Filipino P-26s succeeded in scoring some victories against the Mitsubishi A6M Zero during the first few days of the Japanese attack. One of the Philippine P-26s is credited with shooting down the first Japanese plane destroyed during the early attacks on the islands. The best-known action took place on December 12, 1942, then a group of six Philippine P-26s led by Capt. Jesus Villamor shot one bomber and two Zeros with the loss of three P-26s.