Your favorite WWII era (piston engine) fighter?
Your favorite WWII era (piston engine) fighter? 16 votes
7 votes
4 votes
3 votes
2 votes
Comments
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Vought F4U CorsairThe P-51 was a far superior aircraft, but the Corsair just has something cool about it.
'Der gabelschwanz teufel' P-38 is pretty fucking cool, too. I watched one at Oshkosh do aerobatics with only one engine running.
I always thought the Hawker Typhoon and the Junkers Stuka were cool as well. -
Vought F4U Corsair
Stuka was a dive bomber so no inclusion here of course. Hawker Typhoon was pretty kick ass but just not as important to the outcome of the war. P-51 is without a doubt the greatest all around piston fighter ever made, but like you I am partial to the Corsair. @Southerndawg once pointed out to me it was actually designed by a UW engineering grad and it's most famous operator was, of course, a UW guy- i.e., Pappy.dflea said:The P-51 was a far superior aircraft, but the Corsair just has something cool about it.
'Der gabelschwanz teufel' P-38 is pretty fucking cool, too. I watched one at Oshkosh do aerobatics with only one engine running.
I always thought the Hawker Typhoon and the Junkers Stuka were cool as well. -
Vought F4U CorsairSo, P-51 is the most bad ass air to air radial ever. Everyone knows that. But, and I know I am not alone in this, nothing says screaming death like close air support capable aircraft. A2A is cool or whatever in movies, but you ask any WWII island hopping Marine what the greatest sight in their life was and it was USN or USMC stamped Corsairs flying low and fast and absolutely pounding the shit out of Jap gun emplacements that had them pinned down under withering fire. CAS saves lives. American lives. The Corsair is the ultimate radial expression of that.
I flew F-18's, and HATED the fact that I couldn't fly the A-6. Glory boys all wanted F-14s, but the real life saving is done at 300 feet and 400 knots...fucking shit up. See A-10 for details. -
Focke Wulf 190Wolf Fucker 190 sounded cool
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Vought F4U Corsair
P-51 had a liquid cooled V-12, not radial, but still...TYFYS!!Swaye said:So, P-51 is the most bad ass air to air radial ever. Everyone knows that. But, and I know I am not alone in this, nothing says screaming death like close air support capable aircraft. A2A is cool or whatever in movies, but you ask any WWII island hopping Marine what the greatest sight in their life was and it was USN or USMC stamped Corsairs flying low and fast and absolutely pounding the shit out of Jap gun emplacements that had them pinned down under withering fire. CAS saves lives. American lives. The Corsair is the ultimate radial expression of that.
I flew F-18's, and HATED the fact that I couldn't fly the A-6. Glory boys all wanted F-14s, but the real life saving is done at 300 feet and 400 knots...fucking shit up. See A-10 for details.
CAS planes I feel are some serious NTD, BB shit, hence my affinity for the Corsair. They were still flying those things in Korea and to great affect as you point out. Hell, the Navy was still flying A-1 Skyraiders in Vietnam. It's a shame that we've gone to the stupid jack of all trades, master of none F-35 model.
P-47 was obviously a great ground attack plane too. -
Vought F4U Corsair
Obvious oversight on my part. How could I forget the Rolls Royce Merlin engine? Don't get me started on Rolls Royce "jet" engines. Fucking spool up time from hell that REALLY REALLY sucks when trying to fly the ball. Almost killed me once in a trainer. No joke.YellowSnow said:
P-51 had a liquid cooled V-12, not radial, but still...TYFYS!!Swaye said:So, P-51 is the most bad ass air to air radial ever. Everyone knows that. But, and I know I am not alone in this, nothing says screaming death like close air support capable aircraft. A2A is cool or whatever in movies, but you ask any WWII island hopping Marine what the greatest sight in their life was and it was USN or USMC stamped Corsairs flying low and fast and absolutely pounding the shit out of Jap gun emplacements that had them pinned down under withering fire. CAS saves lives. American lives. The Corsair is the ultimate radial expression of that.
I flew F-18's, and HATED the fact that I couldn't fly the A-6. Glory boys all wanted F-14s, but the real life saving is done at 300 feet and 400 knots...fucking shit up. See A-10 for details.
CAS planes I feel are some serious NTD, BB shit, hence my affinity for the Corsair. They were still flying those things in Korea and to great affect as you point out. Hell, the Navy was still flying A-1 Skyraiders in Vietnam. It's a shame that we've gone to the stupid jack of all trades, master of none F-35 model.
P-47 was obviously a great ground attack plane too.
Hellcat is cool too. Skyraider was cool as fuck.
All my favorite planes are CAS. Skyraider, Thunderbolt, Hellcat and Corsair, giving way to the A-6, AV-8B (even though it's engines are wonky as fuck) and A-10 are the stuff of my wet dreams.
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Vought F4U CorsairSwaye said:
Obvious oversight on my part. How could I forget the Rolls Royce Merlin engine? Don't get me started on Rolls Royce "jet" engines. Fucking spool up time from hell that REALLY REALLY sucks when trying to fly the ball. Almost killed me once in a trainer. No joke.YellowSnow said:
P-51 had a liquid cooled V-12, not radial, but still...TYFYS!!Swaye said:So, P-51 is the most bad ass air to air radial ever. Everyone knows that. But, and I know I am not alone in this, nothing says screaming death like close air support capable aircraft. A2A is cool or whatever in movies, but you ask any WWII island hopping Marine what the greatest sight in their life was and it was USN or USMC stamped Corsairs flying low and fast and absolutely pounding the shit out of Jap gun emplacements that had them pinned down under withering fire. CAS saves lives. American lives. The Corsair is the ultimate radial expression of that.
I flew F-18's, and HATED the fact that I couldn't fly the A-6. Glory boys all wanted F-14s, but the real life saving is done at 300 feet and 400 knots...fucking shit up. See A-10 for details.
CAS planes I feel are some serious NTD, BB shit, hence my affinity for the Corsair. They were still flying those things in Korea and to great affect as you point out. Hell, the Navy was still flying A-1 Skyraiders in Vietnam. It's a shame that we've gone to the stupid jack of all trades, master of none F-35 model.
P-47 was obviously a great ground attack plane too.
Hellcat is cool too. Skyraider was cool as fuck.
All my favorite planes are CAS. Skyraider, Thunderbolt, Hellcat and Corsair, giving way to the A-6, AV-8B (even though it's engines are wonky as fuck) and A-10 are the stuff of my wet dreams.
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Vought F4U CorsairIf you haven't heard a Rolls Merlin scream overhead at low altitude, you are really missing out.
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Vought F4U CorsairI take little Yella Snow to the Museum of Flight about once a month in the winter. Best indoor playground in Seattle. He's only 4 but knows many of the planes names already.
He wants to be a pilot some day but then 6'6" - 6'7" + 20/400 will kick in. -
North American P-51Meant to click P-38, but all good.
Ps, too much war imagery. -
Vought F4U Corsair
Ejection seats can be quite fun at 6'6", if being decapitated is your thing.YellowSnow said:I take little Yella Snow to the Museum of Flight about once a month in the winter. Best indoor playground in Seattle. He's only 4 but knows many of the planes names already.
He wants to be a pilot some day but then 6'6" - 6'7" + 20/400 will kick in. -
Vought F4U CorsairI would normally avoid a shit show like Oshkosh at all costs, but you won't ever see a collection of WWII fighters and bombers like that anywhere else.
If you haven't been, you should go at least once just to hear the Merlins and big Wright radials. -
Swaye said:
Ejection seats can be quite fun at 6'6", if being decapitated is your thing.YellowSnow said:I take little Yella Snow to the Museum of Flight about once a month in the winter. Best indoor playground in Seattle. He's only 4 but knows many of the planes names already.
He wants to be a pilot some day but then 6'6" - 6'7" + 20/400 will kick in.
https://youtu.be/CLPyf3Xj2YU -
Focke Wulf 190Focke me focke you focke everybody (except for aryans)
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Vought F4U Corsair
Interesting article on F4U vs P51 in actual air to air combat (against each other) during the "Football War" between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969. Never sell the Corsair short. That was one badass plane in its day.
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/last-piston-engine-dogfights-180956250/?no-ist
As @YellowSnow mentioned, the Chief Engineer for the F4U was indeed a Husky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Buren_Beisel
As was it's most famous pilot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappy_Boyington
Unfortunately when I think of Pappy Boyington these days I can't help but recall one of the most embarrassing and shameful progtarded things to come out of my alma mater.
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?26473-Students-reject-honor-to-Baa-Baa-Black-Sheep-hero&p=155657&viewfull=1
Thankfully public pressure mostly righted the wrong, but fer fucksake, it should have been automatic to honor the guy. -
Vought F4U CorsairSoutherndawg said:
Interesting article on F4U vs P51 in actual air to air combat (against each other) during the "Football War" between Honduras and El Salvador in 1969. Never sell the Corsair short. That was one badass plane in its day.
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/last-piston-engine-dogfights-180956250/?no-ist
As @YellowSnow mentioned, the Chief Engineer for the F4U was indeed a Husky.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rex_Buren_Beisel
As was it's most famous pilot.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pappy_Boyington
Unfortunately when I think of Pappy Boyington these days I can't help but recall one of the most embarrassing and shameful progtarded things to come out of my alma mater.
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?26473-Students-reject-honor-to-Baa-Baa-Black-Sheep-hero&p=155657&viewfull=1
Thankfully public pressure mostly righted the wrong, but fer fucksake, it should have been automatic to honor the guy.
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Write-In OptionFokker only because you can make better jokes about these Fokkers
https://ww2db.com/aircraft_spec.php?aircraft_model_id=m49
Forgot link -
Focke Wulf 190
Man Who Fuck Wolf is Swaye's cousinCuntWaffle said:Wolf Fucker 190 sounded cool
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Vought F4U Corsair
Iceman was like a giant at 6' tall in real life. He towered over midgets like Maverick and Goose.Swaye said:
Ejection seats can be quite fun at 6'6", if being decapitated is your thing.YellowSnow said:I take little Yella Snow to the Museum of Flight about once a month in the winter. Best indoor playground in Seattle. He's only 4 but knows many of the planes names already.
He wants to be a pilot some day but then 6'6" - 6'7" + 20/400 will kick in. -
Focke Wulf 190Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
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Vought F4U Corsair
Both the Hawker Sea Fury and Bearcat had greater performance than the P-51 but neither made it into the war, of course.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
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Vought F4U Corsair
The ultimate Bearcat. Incredible plane.YellowSnow said:
Both the Hawker Sea Fury and Bearcat had greater performance than the P-51 but neither made it into the war, of course.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/the-bear-is-back-136220946/ -
Vought F4U Corsair
4,500 HP? Holy phuck!!Southerndawg said:
The ultimate Bearcat. Incredible plane.YellowSnow said:
Both the Hawker Sea Fury and Bearcat had greater performance than the P-51 but neither made it into the war, of course.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
https://www.airspacemag.com/history-of-flight/the-bear-is-back-136220946/ -
Vought F4U Corsair
Dick Bong apparently thought the P-38 had a decent turn radius. So did the 40 pilots he shot down.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
The P-51 is the king of kills, with the Grumman F6F Hellcat just behind it. The Corsair only had 2140 claimed kills, but only 189 were lost in combat.
I had a chance to fly in a P-51 years ago and didn't do it. I often look back and think about what a faggot I was.
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Write-In OptionPerformance wise the P-51, Corsair and Hellcat were the best. But for pure looks I have always thought the P-38 was the shit!
It also killed Yamamoto. Remember Pearl Harbor! -
Focke Wulf 190
Dick Bong also flew against a lot of pilots who didn't have the experience that he had, and who flew planes that didn't have the armor to withstand the .50cal and 20mm he could throw at them. You could ask him, I suppose, but he'd probably tell you that most aerial combat kills are made by surprise. The P-38 just wasn't very maneuverable. Powerful and well-armed, yes, but not particularly maneuverable.dflea said:
Dick Bong apparently thought the P-38 had a decent turn radius. So did the 40 pilots he shot down.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
The P-51 is the king of kills, with the Grumman F6F Hellcat just behind it. The Corsair only had 2140 claimed kills, but only 189 were lost in combat.
I had a chance to fly in a P-51 years ago and didn't do it. I often look back and think about what a faggot I was.
There's a local guy who has recently started flying his Bearcat out of the Watsonville Airport and buzzing the beaches between La Selva and New Brighton. Fun to watch the aerobatics, and even more fun to hear that engine. -
Vought F4U Corsair
Good points here. Shitty pilot training / replacement was just one of many reasons the Japanese got turkey shooted.BearsWiin said:
Dick Bong also flew against a lot of pilots who didn't have the experience that he had, and who flew planes that didn't have the armor to withstand the .50cal and 20mm he could throw at them. You could ask him, I suppose, but he'd probably tell you that most aerial combat kills are made by surprise. The P-38 just wasn't very maneuverable. Powerful and well-armed, yes, but not particularly maneuverable.dflea said:
Dick Bong apparently thought the P-38 had a decent turn radius. So did the 40 pilots he shot down.BearsWiin said:Would have voted for the F8F Bearcat, but it didn't see combat in WWII. Fw190 was just the best plane, even though my personal favorite was probably the Razorback/Thunderbolt. Always liked the look of the P-38, but it couldn't turn for shit
The P-51 is the king of kills, with the Grumman F6F Hellcat just behind it. The Corsair only had 2140 claimed kills, but only 189 were lost in combat.
I had a chance to fly in a P-51 years ago and didn't do it. I often look back and think about what a faggot I was.
There's a local guy who has recently started flying his Bearcat out of the Watsonville Airport and buzzing the beaches between La Selva and New Brighton. Fun to watch the aerobatics, and even more fun to hear that engine. -
Vought F4U Corsair
It was. So was the SR-71. Kelly Johnson, nuff said on that.Sledog said:Performance wise the P-51, Corsair and Hellcat were the best. But for pure looks I have always thought the P-38 was the shit!
It also killed Yamamoto. Remember Pearl Harbor! -
Write-In Option
Kelly Johnson was unbelievable!Southerndawg said:
It was. So was the SR-71. Kelly Johnson, nuff said on that.Sledog said:Performance wise the P-51, Corsair and Hellcat were the best. But for pure looks I have always thought the P-38 was the shit!
It also killed Yamamoto. Remember Pearl Harbor! -
Focke Wulf 190
