Which WWII aircraft would you choose?

[nuuumannn]

For the beauty and extreme exclusivity, I'd probably opt for a VL Pyörremyrsky.

Its at the Finnish aviation museum at Tikkakoski.

Hmmm, I'd go with a Defiant, to recreate a unique Battle of Britain flypast; RAF fighters, with a Spit Mk.I, Hurri Mk.I, Gladiator and Blenheim I, all of which there are airworthy examples. And heck, why not throw in a Luftwaffe element with a Bf 109E, Bf 110C, with a Do 17Z, Ju 88A-4, He 111H and Ju 87B-2?

Love a good mass formation, RAF Bomber Command; Wellington, Whitley, Manchester, Stirling, Halifax, Lancaster, Mosquito, Battle, Blenheim...

FAA formation, Sea Gladiator, Skua, Roc, Swordfish, Albacore, Barracuda, Fulmar, Firefly, Sea Hurricane, Seafire, Martlet, Hellcat, Corsair, Avenger...

WW2 four-engined heavies, Stirling, Halifax, Lancaster, He 177, B-17, B-24, B-29, Pe-8, P-108...

WW2 Jets, He 162, He 280, Me 262, Meteor Mk.I, Vampire, P-80, P-59, Kikka...

I'll settle for these though:

Spitfire formation

1407 RIAT Trenchard Formation

1507 Flying Legends Buchons

 

[GrauGeist]

Grant, don't forget the Ho.IX (Ho229)!

 

[yulzari]

Relentlessly practical but I would choose a Swordfish. Carry four friends, with a squeeze. Land at any airfield. Fold the wings and it goes into any hanger. Plus it is a Swordfish which is reason enough.

 

[nuuumannn]

Grant, don't forget the Ho.IX (Ho229)!

Of course! would be amazing to see one of those in flight.

 

[SaparotRob]

As for any SINGLE, currently non-existent aircraft of WW II, damn the expense, the plane I'd want is the TBD. In memory of the heroic actions of it's crews.
It's tough to choose just one. I agree wholeheartedly with PFVA63. The B239/339 is my favorite. So I'm going with the TBD as the Buffalo has been previously selected.
I'm no pilot. I'd want my friends and I chauffeured around the sky in comfort. I'm with yulzari on that. That would be the PBY Catalina. Love those two "Vista Sky View Lounges" in the back. Fortunately, there's a few PBY's left. C'mon Megamillions!!

 

[tyrodtom]

I'd want a Zero.
From everything I've read, it seemed to viceless when flown normally.
I might be able to fly it myself, not just look at it.

 

[DerAdlerIstGelandet]

A Dornier Do 24.

A truly beautiful plane, and the real overlooked and underestimated queen of the float planes.

 

[GrauGeist]

Well, of course, since money (in this scenario) is not a limit for the build, I might consider having the BV238 resurrected.

The idea behind this is to cruise around the globe, stopping along the way to pick up forum friends and then it's off to South Pacific destinations like Bora Bora for extended R&R

 

[swampyankee]

A Curtiss SOC, if one wants to remain in the realm of "practical." Beyond that realm, a Republic Rainbow, a Fairey Battle (while not a great airplane, its crews were incredibly brave), and an XP-77.

For some other impractical choices:
Kawanishi H8K, Tachikawa Ki-74, He-219, Breguet 697, and the Piaggio P.108.

 

[SaparotRob]

Well, of course, since money (in this scenario) is not a limit for the build, I might consider having the BV238 resurrected.

The idea behind this is to cruise around the globe, stopping along the way to pick up forum friends and then it's off to South Pacific destinations like Bora Bora for extended R&R

I came pretty close to choosing the Boeing 314.

 

[NevadaK]

Ok, I know my first choice was rather hum hum, the P-51H.

My second choice is not. I'm all in for the Hughes H-4 Hercules. Cost and practicality be damned!

 

[SaparotRob]

Ok, I know my first choice was rather hum hum, the P-51H.

My second choice is not. I'm all in for the Hughes H-4 Hercules. Cost and practicality be damned!

I forgot about that one.

 

[GrauGeist]

Cost and practicality be damned!

That's the idea!

Though the H-4 still exists, it would be exciting to see her fly.

 

[swampyankee]

That's the idea!

Though the H-4 still exists, it would be exciting to see her fly.

It may even be able to get out of ground effect.

Was Howard Hughes ever involved in an aircraft project that turned out well?

 

[herman1rg]

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

OOh you rebel.

 

[SaparotRob]

It may even be able to get out of ground effect.

Was Howard Hughes ever involved in an aircraft project that turned out well?

Didn't he successfully break a speed record? Close enough?

 

[Schweik]

I too lack the discipline to pick just one...

I love the sea planes, and I have a model of this one sitting right behind me as I type this, I think it would be ideal for taking a pretty girl with you to go exploring the Carribean islands, Romain Hugault style, with a little firepower in case you run into trouble.

For a fighter, I think the Reggiane Re 2005

and if I needed to just go wreak some havoc, I think a Beaufighter.

 

[Schweik]

A Dornier Do 24.

A truly beautiful plane, and the real overlooked and underestimated queen of the float planes.

Another favorite of mine. This is one (I think maybe the last?) hitting a submerged log while landing in a lake. It was damaged but survived.

 

[Peter Gunn]

To absolutely no ones surprise my pick(s):

P-51B with DFF

After that, Others

Single Engine Fighter: P-39
Twin Engine Fighter: P-38 (E or F with those gorgeously sleek chin radiators)
Twin Engine Bomber: B-25
Four Engine Bomber: B-29
Transport: C-47
Seaplane: OS2U Kingfisher
Big Seaplane: Boeing 314 Clipper
Jet: P-80

 

[Admiral Beez]

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.

Choose for what role?

If for a celebrity's toy collected for future resale, hands down Spitfire Mk.I.