WWII Recon Aircraft

16KJV11 · Oct 13, 2007

Ok, here's an exciting one:8)
What was the most effective recon aircraft of WWII.
I like the Arado 234B-1 for speed and altitude.

comiso90 · Oct 13, 2007

Mossie....!

For every possible reason..

Although I'd distinguish between which Theater and Naval vs Overland. Different rules apply. The Japs had some great long aircraft but their low speed offered no protection.

Gotta like the PBY and Condor too

.

.

glennasher · Oct 14, 2007

The Mossie has to get two thumbs up. In the Pacific, perhaps the F-5 Lightning or the F-6 Mustang would also get mentions, along with the Catalinas. At least the Mustang was armed, so it could defend itself........

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 14, 2007

For effectivness I go with the Mossie only because of its longer service record.

Now having said that the best recon aircraft hands down was the Arado Ar 234 Blitz. Besides it was one pretty aircraft. If you have not seen it go to the NASM in Washington DC and check her out.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 14, 2007

I added a poll to the site. Sorry if I forgot some aircraft. I am not up to date on the British, American and Russian recon aircraft.

Also what was the photo recon version of the P-38 Lightning. I used to have a page saved in my favorites that had all the varients of the Lightning but I cant seem to find it.

drgondog · Oct 14, 2007

At the end of the war the Ar234.. for continuous service the Mosquito.. for the US a toss up between F-5 (P-38) and F-6 (P-51) because it was armed.

All had great speed, range and high ceiling making it difficult to stop any of them.

evangilder · Oct 14, 2007

The Photo recon version of the P-38 was the F-4 and the F-5.

P-38 Lightning: F-4/5 Recon Lightnings

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 14, 2007

Ah thanks for the info guys.

16KJV11 · Oct 14, 2007

DerAdlerIstGelandet said:
For effectivness I go with the Mossie only because of its longer service record.

Now having said that the best recon aircraft hands down was the Arado Ar 234 Blitz. Besides it was one pretty aircraft. If you have not seen it go to the NASM in Washington DC and check her out.

Anyone have a link to this?

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 14, 2007

Have a link to what?

Soundbreaker Welch? · Oct 14, 2007

For a recon aircraft, any kind with two engines is better than one, or not?

Like, would a Mossie or P-38 be better than a P-51?

Limbergh said he didn't want to engines, because one of them might break down. But wouldn't that actually be better? To have a spare engine in a long flight over water?

Glider · Oct 14, 2007

I would like to go for the Spitfire but the Mk XI out of choice. It was prodiced in the largest numbers, had an excellent range and was used on the most dangerous missions with great success.

There were faster ones e.g. Mk XIX but for all round ability the Mk XI would take the prize.

syscom3 · Oct 14, 2007

The P38 and Mossie had an advantage in that it had plenty of room to mount the camera(s) and not interfere with internal fuel stowage.

That makes the them superior to the F6.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 14, 2007

Somehow I knew syscom would vote for the P-38 even though there are clearly better aircraft on the list (I would call the P-38 a good number 3 though)

AL Schlageter · Oct 14, 2007

syscom3 said:
The P38 and Mossie had an advantage in that it had plenty of room to mount the camera(s) and not interfere with internal fuel stowage.

That makes the them superior to the F6.

The PR Mossie could mount cameras the F-5 (P-38 ) could not. The Americans ordered PR Mossies. Two points that put the Mossie ahead of the F-5 (P-38 ).

The Japanese had a good plane in the Ki-46 Dinah. The Americans had a hard time catching it.

The Arado took the first German photos of the Normandy beach area in Aug 1944.

16KJV11, Arado Ar 234B-2 Blitz

Civettone · Oct 14, 2007

The Mosquito PR.VIII? If I'm not mistaken, there were only a handful built. As such I can hardly vote for it even though I consider the Mosquito the best overall aircraft of WW2.

Ar 234 was damn good too but arrived too late and achieved very little.

I like the Dinah but also the C6N was impressive, 610 kmh and great range.

There are also some observation planes in the list, that makes it even more difficult to chose.

Kris

syscom3 · Oct 14, 2007

AL Schlageter said:
The PR Mossie could mount cameras the F-5 (P-38 ) could not. The Americans ordered PR Mossies. Two points that put the Mossie ahead of the F-5 (P-38 ).

The Japanese had a good plane in the Ki-46 Dinah. The Americans had a hard time catching it.

The Arado took the first German photos of the Normandy beach area in Aug 1944.

16KJV11, Arado Ar 234B-2 Blitz

The P38 had its advantages, in that it was all metal construction and a single seater.

AL Schlageter · Oct 14, 2007

syscom3 said:
The P38 had its advantages, in that it was all metal construction and a single seater.

That means the pilot has to do the navigation and pilot the plane. Recon flights are not normally of short duration.

Wood doesn't give the same radar profile as metal.

syscom3 · Oct 15, 2007

AL Schlageter said:
That means the pilot has to do the navigation and pilot the plane. Recon flights are not normally of short duration.

Wood doesn't give the same radar profile as metal.

P38's flew 3200 mile missions.

Metal engines are not hidden by wood.

Metal aircraft are easier to build and maintain.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · Oct 15, 2007

Civettone said:
The Mosquito PR.VIII? If I'm not mistaken, there were only a handful built. As such I can hardly vote for it even though I consider the Mosquito the best overall aircraft of WW2.

Then vote for the Mossie itself if you believe it was the best. I was not sure how many were built....

WWII Recon Aircraft

Best Recon Aircraft of WW2.

de Havilland Mosquito PR.VIII

Supermarine Spitfire PR.IV

Arado Ar 234 Blitz

Blohm un Voss Bv 141

Focke Wulf Fw 189

Focke Wulf Fw 200

Dornier Do 24

Messersmitt Bf 109G-10/R-2

Lockheed F-5 Lightning (P-38 )

Piper L-4 Grasshoper

Vought F4U-4P Corsair

Vought-Sikorsky OS2U Kingfisher

PBY Catalina

Mitsubishi Ki-46 "Dinah"

Nakajima C6N Saiun

North American F-6 Mustang (P-51)

Airman

Senior Master Sergeant

Senior Airman

Private Chemtrail Disperser

Private Chemtrail Disperser

Major

"Shooter"

Private Chemtrail Disperser

Airman

Private Chemtrail Disperser

Tech Sergeant

Captain

Pacific Historian

Private Chemtrail Disperser

Banned

Tech Sergeant

Pacific Historian

Banned

Pacific Historian

Private Chemtrail Disperser

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