In regards to the Devastator, it can be easily argued that it was a lousy aircraft given it's performance at Midway. For it's time however, it was a good aircraft, but like so many other aircraft of it's day, it became obsolete too fast when WW II broke out. Another point is that the Japanese fighters were brought down to sea level to attack the Devastators, which allowed the SBD Dauntless dive bombers to attack and sink the Japanese carriers virtually unmolested by fighters.
What was the worst Aircraft of WWII?
- Thread starter Hot Space
- Start date
Ad: This forum contains affiliate links to products on Amazon and eBay. More information in Terms and rules
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
Has anybody considered what the Finns did in the Buffalo? Eino Juutilainen scored 34 kills in a Buffalo (one possibly over a Spitfire!) and Hans Wind had 39 kills in a Buffalo. Don't ask me to explain it ('cause I can't) but pretty impressive considering the thumping the Buffalo took everywhere else.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
i've said it before, and it looks like i'm gonna say it again, obviously you don't know about the blackburn B-25 Roc, it was the same concept as the defaint, but allot worse, it was designed to intercept bombers, with a top speed of 198mph, both planes were not manouverable, but the defaint was more manouverable then the Roc, the Roc had a shorter range, and at least the defaint could hit 300mph, so i don't think the defaint was thet bad when compared to a Roc................
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
I agree that the Roc was a lousy plane, but it was lousy because it was built to meet a lousy specification. I think it was pretty much recognized as lousy and never really saw service, I may be wrong on that point.
The Devestator did have some early war success during the early carrier raids and at Coral Sea. The carrier raids, however, were launched against targets where Japanese defenses were minimal and at Coral Sea it had the benefit of fighter escort and dive-bomber support. I just can't get around the Midway debacle.
The Devestator did have some early war success during the early carrier raids and at Coral Sea. The carrier raids, however, were launched against targets where Japanese defenses were minimal and at Coral Sea it had the benefit of fighter escort and dive-bomber support. I just can't get around the Midway debacle.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
you're right, the Roc was identified as a crap plane, and after some early success, so was the defaint, but the defaint was considdered good enough to be used as a night fighter..............
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
Because it had a crew of two and, while it's performance was nothing to right home about, it was better than the Blenheims that were being used.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
i think the best brittish nightfighter had to be the beaufighter..................
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
The Beau was the best to see service during the Blitz. But it wasn't in action when the Defiant was switched to nightfighter duty was it?
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
i don't know, but the defiant wasn't much cop as a nightfighter either, it was just better than most..................
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
They were both pretty crummy planes. Did the P-26 see any action? I know a few were still in service but I don't remember if they ever got into combat.
They fought with the Chinese airforce in 1937, and with the Philippines air force against the Japanese in December 1941 but apparently they got shot down after a few days. I can't find the exact date but apparently it was one of the first, if not the first American stressed skin monoplane to see combat.
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
If they saw any service during the war, the Phillipines was probably the place so that makes sense to me.
Lightning Guy
Master Sergeant
- 2,511
- Apr 29, 2004
I would hate to have to fly against Zero's in a peashooter.
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
poor them, and thanks for agreeing with me on the Roc, i know how hard it must have been for you 
............
............
the lancaster kicks ass
Major General
- 19,937
- Dec 20, 2003
oh, it's just that normally people don't agree with me easily, especailly on the lancaster issue................
