What's the best end-of-WW2 propeller fighter?

**DragoonGuard** · 14 Jul 09,, 21:10

Hawker Tempest, Big tough, decent armament, great in the ground attack role, looks mean as hell too.

I don't know how accurate the flight characteristics of these planes are on say the likes of CFS-3, but that's one of the best all rounders I've played with on the PC.

**perfectgeneral** · 08 Nov 09,, 10:58

Originally Posted by glyn

If we are counting twin engined types we cannot ignore the de Havilland Hornet. It had it all, speed, range, firepower and manouvrability. There is a marvellous story about the type. In the early 1950s the retiring AOC of the RAF used one to fly to that huge base in the Philippines. His USAF General chum agreed to have a squadron of F-80s at a known place and altitude to escort him. He had climbed to a great height and when he saw the P-80 formation he dived down to their level and just behind them. By this time he was travelling really fast so he shut one engine down and feathered the prop. The American pilots were astounded to see a piston fighter easily sail past them with one engine stopped! Even the navalised Sea Hornet could exceed 460mph statute.

A protoytpe did 485 mph during ww2 but it didn't enter service during the war.

The (Sea) Fury is another example. Superb aircraft, but too late for the war. The Dornier Arrow (Do335) was faster and sooner. It would have to win an unbiased survey.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dornier_Do_335
French ace Pierre Clostermann claimed the first Allied combat encounter with a Pfeil in April 1945[1]. Leading a flight of four Hawker Tempests from No. 3 Squadron RAF over northern Germany, he intercepted a lone Do 335 flying at maximum speed at treetop level. Detecting the British aircraft, the German pilot reversed course to evade. Despite the Tempest's considerable speed, the RAF fighters were not able to catch up or even get into firing position.
...
The aircraft was test flown from a grass runway at Oberwiesenfeld, near Munich, to Cherbourg, France while escorted by two P-51s. The Do 335 was easily able to out distance the escorting Mustangs and arrived at Cherbourg 45 minutes before the P-51s.

**StevoJH** · 08 Nov 09,, 11:29

It missed the war, but the CA-15 Kangaroo probably would have been a good fighter had it been able to enter service (RAAF Cancelled it and bought jets).

**perfectgeneral** · 08 Nov 09,, 19:10

I've seen a Mustang P-51D and a Spitfire fly overhead (I live near Duxford), but I haven't seen a Do-335, as I expect is the case for most of us. Seeing is not the whole of the truth.

**RustyBattleship** · 08 Nov 09,, 19:29

Well, I didn't vote on any of them as I'm torn between P-38 Lightning and the P-51 Mustang with the F4U Corsair not far behind.

**Big K** · 08 Nov 09,, 21:30

p51 & F4u can go as lone wolf but p38 can not i think.

**Gun Grape** · 08 Nov 09,, 23:15

Voted other.

F-8F Bearcat.

**perfectgeneral** · 19 Dec 09,, 13:04

I'd like to mention another prototype, one that could have entered the war in production had it been given the go ahead:

The Republic XP-72

**perfectgeneral** · 19 Dec 09,, 13:29

Originally Posted by Gun Grape

Voted other.

F-8F Bearcat.

The F8F prototypes were ordered in November 1943 and first flew on 21 August 1944, a mere nine months later. The first production aircraft was delivered in February 1945 and the first squadron was operational by 21 May, but World War II was over before the aircraft saw combat service.

Although another nice aircraft, does this count? It was operational I suppose. Slower than the Do 335 Arrow, but naval.

**Mattdan63** · 22 Dec 09,, 13:17

P47 - Could give and take punishment with the best of them. The Do335 was a hell of an achievement though.

**junoth1001** · 22 Dec 09,, 22:28

There is also this: The Martin Baker MB5, described as being the best piston engine fighter of its generation. Sadly, it nevered entered production due to the end of the war.

**ErrantVenture11** · 12 Jan 10,, 23:57

I would eliminate the Zero and BF109 from the list entirely. Both are older airframes. I voted Corsair because I am biased toward the Navy.

**Aussiegunner** · 13 Jan 10,, 11:47

I voted Mustang because it was a match or outclass for any contemporary opponent, could do any job that military might ask of a single seat fighter and it was comparitively cheap. All very boring and utilitarian I know but thems the facts.

**~~Black Prince~~** · 30 Jan 10,, 19:29

My understanding was that the Do335 wasnt as fast (474mph) as late model P51H Mustangs which clocked 487mph . Late model Thunderbolts too could exceed 480mph.

Why has no one mentioned the Nakajima Ki 84 Hayate (Frank) which though not nearly as fast as allied fighters could fly rings round them at most altitudes . Unlike the zero it actually had some protection too. As I understand it in tests after the war using the much higher octane fuel used by US fighters the Frank was nearly 40mph (achieved 430mph) faster (without modification) than when in Japanese service ! Imagine that airframe subtituting the dodgy and unreliable Homare engine for a Twin Wasp !