Which WWII Axis nation produced most dangerous pilots?

[Chiron]

I heard someone said that US pilots, who participate in both European and Pacific theatures, believed Japanese were the most fearsome opponents in comparison with their German counterparts.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

well yes the japaneese earnt themselfs a fearsome reputation, they we not just fighting for thier homeland, they had centuries of traditions to uphold..........

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Possibly...

I know that the Japanese were not as disciplined in the air as the Germans were. They tended to fight individually and lacked tactical teamwork. Comments?!?

 

[plan_D]

The way of the warrior.

The Germans had a certain warrior code to uphold too. Prussian military history was rich with victory, the Great War was the first loss they'd suffered in over 100 years. I'm sure the Luftwaffe had a certain standard to live up to. I certainly know that German General Staff Officers did.

All that is null and void anyway, we all know the Romanian pilots were the most dangerous Axis pilots.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

All that is null and void anyway, we all know the Romanian pilots were the most dangerous Axis pilots.

Dangerous or crazy

 

[cheddar cheese]

The Finns... 8)

 

[plan_D]

He has a good point. The Finnish were remarkable pilots (and army for that matter). Their lack of effective equipment really made them much less dangerous than they should have been.

 

[FLYBOYJ]

He has a good point. The Finnish were remarkable pilots (and army for that matter). Their lack of effective equipment really made them much less dangerous than they should have been.

Yep - would have to agree - just think "Brewster Buffaloes?!?" and look what they did with them!!!

 

[cheddar cheese]

Oh my god people agreed with me...

 

[FLYBOYJ]

Oh my god people agreed with me...

It's you're luck day! Go buy a Lotto ticket!

 

[plan_D]

They shot down seven Mk.V Spitfires with those Buffaloes! Admittedly, VVS pilots weren't the best the in world...

 

[FLYBOYJ]

They shot down seven Mk.V Spitfires with those Buffaloes! Admittedly, VVS pilots weren't the best the in world...

I said it before, too bad the Finns didn't give combat training to the Marines stationed at Midway

 

[cheddar cheese]

Other that the B-239, what else did the Finns use?

 

[plan_D]

Those French things...I can't remember but they look like a squashed squared Hurricane...

They also used Blenheims. And some Bi-plane...maybe the Gladiator but I can't quite remember...

 

[plan_D]

http://hkkk.fi/~yrjola/war/faf/ww2air.html

The most important fighters available during the Continuation War (1941-1944) were Brewster B-239 ("Buffalo"), Messerschmitt Bf 109G, Morane-Saulnier MS 406, Curtiss 75A (P-36) and Fiat G.50.

http://www.geocities.com/acrawford0/Finn.html

That's an awesome site on the FAF. And they did use Gladiators!

Four units operated the Gladiator during its service with the Finns, these were;

LeLv.12 Flew 67 sorties without loss.

LeLv.14 flew 34 sorties, claimed 3 victories and lost 1 Gladiator.

TleLv.16 flew 2,000 sorties, claimed 1 victory and lost 10 Gladiators.

LLv.26 flew 600 sorties, claimed 30 victories and lost 13 Gladiators.

 

[cheddar cheese]

Dewoitine D.520? Didnt they use Mk.I Hurricanes too?

 

[plan_D]

No, they never came anywhere near a Hurricane Mk.I. The only Hurricanes they came near were Hurricane Mk. IIBs and IICs and that was only to shoot them down 'cos they were Soviet.

 

[the lancaster kicks ass]

but the fins used allot of stuff, including -109Gs i believe.......

 

[cheddar cheese]

Everyone used 109G's Heck, even the Italians did.

 

[plan_D]

I see none of you can read. Scroll up a bit, I've given you two sites and a list of the most important fighter types in the FAF. The list clearly states Bf-109G.