Which fighter brought the biggest new advantage when introduced?
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syscom3
Pacific Historian
The P38 when introduced into the pacific, gave the allies an huge advantage over the Japanese.
pbfoot
1st Lieutenant
It sure wasn't the 262 that caused concern it was the Fw 190 on its arrival made all the Spit V a complete underdog and caused huge concern in every venue .
syscom3
Pacific Historian
It was over the Zero. And it had more of a proven impact than the -262.
I interpreted the question differently, not focussed on the individual pilot. Of course I agree that the ME262 gave a huge advantage for it's pilot against the props, but didn't give a huge advantage for Germany because of the few numbers, you already mentioned.
The ones I mentioned gave an advantage for their own country over others. I realise I forgot one, the P51, giving the huge advantage to escort bombers all the way to Berlin.
evangilder
"Shooter"
I say the 262 also. While I do see the points about the P-51, the 262 not only ushered in the jet age, but also was the beginning of the end for piston based fighters. It was too little, too late for the Germans, but it was still of great concern to allied planners.
The Zero didn't really outperfrom the allied fighters. The Zero became mythic in it's capabilities, and many of it's "strengths" were not as great as the myths made them out to be.
The Zero didn't really outperfrom the allied fighters. The Zero became mythic in it's capabilities, and many of it's "strengths" were not as great as the myths made them out to be.
Problem with calling the 262 revolutionary is there were at least two other aircraft in production (the P-80 and the Glouster Meteor) using jet engines at roughly the same time. Granted, they did not use swept wing technology, but they did have better engines from the standpoint of reliability. From that perspective, the 262 is evolutionary and not revolutionary.
To consider the 262 the most effective when it was introduced would be to assume that it changed the course of the war in some way. It didn't. It was effective in it's role as a fighter, but not enough to stop (or even significantly affect) daylight bombing. Such an event happened in the Korean War when the Mig-15 forced the USAF to fly B29 missions at night. Didn't happen with the 262.
If it had better management or been introduced earlier, that is possible. But the war went it's way in spite of the advantages brought on by the 262.
To consider the 262 the most effective when it was introduced would be to assume that it changed the course of the war in some way. It didn't. It was effective in it's role as a fighter, but not enough to stop (or even significantly affect) daylight bombing. Such an event happened in the Korean War when the Mig-15 forced the USAF to fly B29 missions at night. Didn't happen with the 262.
If it had better management or been introduced earlier, that is possible. But the war went it's way in spite of the advantages brought on by the 262.
evangilder
"Shooter"
There were 2 other jet fighters in production, but the 262 was the first one to go into combat. The engines could have been more reliable if Tungsten had been available to the Germans in a much larger quantity. The 262 was the start of a dramatic change in fighter designs and technology.
No one said it was the most effective, but it was had a big advantage with speed. And as Erich pointed out, bomber crews were very concerned with the Me-262.
No one said it was the most effective, but it was had a big advantage with speed. And as Erich pointed out, bomber crews were very concerned with the Me-262.
Messy1
Master Sergeant
Which was the bigger innovation? The ME-262's being the first jet fighter in combat, or being the first with a swept wing?
Then I guess we'd have to define what "biggest new advantage" means. If we take it as being totally unknown before the introduction, then I guess the swept wings would be it for the 262 (as there were already jet engines being used and heavy cannon as well).
Does anyone know if there was another bird out there, in service, using swept wings?
SoD Stitch
Banned
The question is "best new advantage", not which one affected the War the most, so I voted for the 262. The 262 was years ahead of the competition when it was introduced.
SoD Stitch
Banned
Me 163.
Me 262 for certain.
Yes it did not win the war, but it was a major advantage over piston engined aircraft, against bombers, and certainly against the Meteor and possible against the P-80.
If Hitler had not ordered to be built as a bomber and put it into production, it might well have been able to stop the Allied bombing offensive and delay the end of the war.
Yes it did not win the war, but it was a major advantage over piston engined aircraft, against bombers, and certainly against the Meteor and possible against the P-80.
If Hitler had not ordered to be built as a bomber and put it into production, it might well have been able to stop the Allied bombing offensive and delay the end of the war.
Ramirezzz
Senior Airman
I-16 - first all - metal fighter monoplane with the retractable landing gear 
seesul
Senior Master Sergeant
Good point. And, it was rocket powered. Not very effective, but extremely novel.
ToughOmbre
Senior Master Sergeant
Me-262
No doubt about the leap in technology and performance.
But with only something like 1433 built and only about 250 ever seeing combat, they didn't have the desired impact.
TO
No doubt about the leap in technology and performance.
But with only something like 1433 built and only about 250 ever seeing combat, they didn't have the desired impact.
TO
The reason it's the Me-262 is not only because it was better than anything else in the air during the war, but also because that at its introduction and till the end of the war it was better than any Allied fighter still in development, which includes the Meteor P-80.
