Which WWII aircraft would you choose?

[GrauGeist]

Ok, so you have the finances and technical connections to have any single aircraft of WWII that actually existed during the war, built from the ground up, regardless of type or nationality - what would it be and why.

For me, it would be the He280 because it has a destinct 1930's look to it's design, it was a nimble and responsive aircraft and it was the world's first combat jet and no examples exist, making it extremely rare.

 

[rochie]

Really tough question Dave.

 

[NevadaK]

I guess I can't say all of them.

I kind of lean towards later war designs and after seeing one in person recently I'm going with the P-51H. Ask me again in an hour and I'll probably say something else.

 

[Snautzer01]

Potez 540. This french hen house will shock anybody. Watching the skies at a meeting... Spitfire... hurricane.. yes bf109 ... what da f.... My eyes ..... and where is the bucket.

 

[Dash119]

Do-335, just for the novelty...

 

[vikingBerserker]

I'd go for one that there are no examples left, Me 321/323, He 177 or the Douglas B-17.

 

[GregP]

For the beauty and extreme exclusivity, I'd probably opt for a VL Pyörremyrsky. I'd want a spare engine, prop, and a couple of sets of brakes.

They only made one. It LOOKS like it wouldn't be too difficult to add a second seat for a friend. And nobody else would have one at any airshow in the world.

Of course, that can be said for a LOT of WWII-era aircraft ... but this one is both a great performer and virtually unknown. You could say the same about rarity for the Reggiane Re.2005 but, then again, there IS one in a museum. They built only 48, which is more than they actually delivered of the Ta-152, and there IS one in a museum for this one, too.

Any of these three would offer some exceptional rarity, but the other two are surely more well-known.

 

[michaelmaltby]

A Jug ... P-47N.
Range Rugged,. Comfort, oh ya!

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

Bf 109G variant

Just my favorite.

 

[rochie]

For the rarity value, I'd go for a Whirlwind !

 

[GregP]

A Whirlwind would be way cool to see flying!

Anybody know if there are any flyable Peregrines left? I haven't seen or heard of one, but that doesn't count for much. They only built 301 of them and almost all were in Whirlwinds or were spares for Whirlwinds. Once we find Peregrines, then we need to find at least a pair of suitable propellers.

 

[pbehn]

A Halifax, just to listen to it

 

[PFVA63]

Hi,
I'd like to see a Buffalo/F2A/B239 or B339 of some sort.
Pat

 

[BiffF15]

I'll take an original. Saburo's last Zero, Hartman's Bf-109, Bongs last P-38, Tex Hills AVG P-40, Johnnie Johnson's Spit, the list could go on.

 

[Mainly28s]

Hard choices.

Single engine? Messerschmitt Bf 109 G or Focke Wulf 190 G or D.
Twin engine? Junkers Ju 188 or 388.
Tri-motor? Savoia-Marchetti SM-79 or Junkers Ju 352.
Four-engine? Focke-Wulf FW 200.
Six engine? Junkers Ju 390.

 

[cherry blossom]

Being a spoilsport, I would like an aircraft whose performance has inspired long arguments on this forum and elsewhere. Of course, even when these aircraft exist, for example the Ki-84, N1K2-J and J2M, it still seems impossible to reliably estimate their performance. However, the Fw-187 v6 or the MB-157 prototype might be able to answer one or two questions. Another less puzzling "might have been" fighter would be the I-185 had its factory not been unnecessarily moved.

 

[GrauGeist]

All great choices, guys!

Don't get me wrong, I love the Spits, Stangs and other popular types that are a mainstay of Airshows and Museums, but just imagine seeing an IAR80, He100 or even a Stirling make a pass at your local airfield.

Love reading everyone's picks, keep 'em coming!

 

[wuzak]

McDonnell XP-67

McDonnell XP-67 - Wikipedia

Which I would re-engine with V-1710s or Merlins.

or a Republic XF-12 Rainbow.

Republic XF-12 Rainbow - Wikipedia

 

[wuzak]

Something else I'd like to do is make a running Vulture, for ground running (obviously). No complete engine exists, let a lone one running.

 

[GrauGeist]

Something else I'd like to do is make a running Vulture, for ground running (obviously). No complete engine exists, let a lone one running.

If they can locate a wreck of an early Mark of the Manchester, then they may be able to salvage a Vulture.