Favourite WW2 plane
Discussion
Stating the obvious, I would say Spitfire, but,,, when playing IL2 Forgotten Battles,, it has to be one of those late Russian thingies,, the LA7,, a joy to fly and dogfight in 
If you like WW2 planes, you NEED to buy this game, along with the ACES and Pacific Fighters expansion pack,, it's the most realistic sim you can buy, and very very detailed, down to the writing in the cockpits!!!
>> Edited by chris watton on Monday 3rd January 10:53
If you like WW2 planes, you NEED to buy this game, along with the ACES and Pacific Fighters expansion pack,, it's the most realistic sim you can buy, and very very detailed, down to the writing in the cockpits!!!
>> Edited by chris watton on Monday 3rd January 10:53
I don't have any one favourite. Most of these powerful piston engined fighter do it for me. I must admit that I have a huge regard for the last generation of these aircraft - the Griffon engined Spitfires (Mk XIV, Mk 24 etc) for example and planes like the Hawker Sea Fury and Grumman F8F Bearcat. Although, to be fair, the last two entered service after WW2. I was hugely impressed with the Lavochkin displaying at Goodwood in 2003. Sadly, it now lives in New Zealand although it is now for sale and may return to the UK. I gather it is a real handfull.
I also like a lot of the WW2 era bombers - particularly the British ones, and particularly the twin engined bombers that were in use in the early part of the war - planes like the Handley Page Hampden and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. Not that they were often that good, but I have huge respect for the young men who had to go to war in them..
I also like a lot of the WW2 era bombers - particularly the British ones, and particularly the twin engined bombers that were in use in the early part of the war - planes like the Handley Page Hampden and the Armstrong Whitworth Whitley. Not that they were often that good, but I have huge respect for the young men who had to go to war in them..
Pretty though the Mosquito undoubtedly was, it was extremely tricky to fly on one engine. A colleague who flew them tells me that an engine problem on take-off, particularly with a high AUW, would invariably prove fatal. The Meteor was also very dangerous in this respect!
Personal favourite was the Spitfire XIV.
Had I been around at the time, my posting of choice though would have been nightfighting in Beaufighters.
Regarding the other side, the Me 262 was amazingly advanced! As was the supercharger technology used in Daimler-Benz engines; a captured Spitfire flown with a DB motor fitted performed far better than when fitted with the equivalent Merlin. But it didn't look anything like as pretty!
Personal favourite was the Spitfire XIV.
Had I been around at the time, my posting of choice though would have been nightfighting in Beaufighters.
Regarding the other side, the Me 262 was amazingly advanced! As was the supercharger technology used in Daimler-Benz engines; a captured Spitfire flown with a DB motor fitted performed far better than when fitted with the equivalent Merlin. But it didn't look anything like as pretty!
There are too many impressive planes from that period really.
Although if asked if I liked the Messerschmitt 109 I'd probably not sound too enthusiastic, for some reason my model collection contains more 109 variants than any other single type - I've got a 109D, 109E, 109F, 109G and two versions of the Czech derviative - the Avia S99 (single seater) and S199 (two seater). I think I'm just fascinated by the evolution of this aircraft (well beyond its "use by" date too). It was in production from 1935 to the early 1950s and started life fitted with a Rolls Royce engine (the Kestrel) and finished life with another Rolls Royce engine (the Merlin).
I also love the German jets nad rockets planes. I've a couple of Me262 models plus an Arado Ar234 jet bomber and a Horten 229 Flying Wing.
Although if asked if I liked the Messerschmitt 109 I'd probably not sound too enthusiastic, for some reason my model collection contains more 109 variants than any other single type - I've got a 109D, 109E, 109F, 109G and two versions of the Czech derviative - the Avia S99 (single seater) and S199 (two seater). I think I'm just fascinated by the evolution of this aircraft (well beyond its "use by" date too). It was in production from 1935 to the early 1950s and started life fitted with a Rolls Royce engine (the Kestrel) and finished life with another Rolls Royce engine (the Merlin).
I also love the German jets nad rockets planes. I've a couple of Me262 models plus an Arado Ar234 jet bomber and a Horten 229 Flying Wing.
nickwilcock said:
a captured Spitfire flown with a DB motor fitted performed far better than when fitted with the equivalent Merlin. But it didn't look anything like as pretty!
From here - www.unrealaircraft.com/hybrid/spitfire.php
A Hurricane also underwent the same treatment.
Probably has to be the ME262.
A few years back saw a documentary including photographic footage from a daylight American bomber, and the ex-airman described seeing three ME262s coming in at the formation, and three bombers going down without anyone having come close to the ME262s. With sufficient numbers, or earlier delivery, they could have stopped the US daylight raids completely.
A few years back saw a documentary including photographic footage from a daylight American bomber, and the ex-airman described seeing three ME262s coming in at the formation, and three bombers going down without anyone having come close to the ME262s. With sufficient numbers, or earlier delivery, they could have stopped the US daylight raids completely.
A "what if" plane. If only they had fitted Merlins instead of Peregrines to the Westland Whirlwind. First flown in 1938.
Details here
Details here
I always liked the Whirlwind too. As far as I know there is only one piece of film showing Whirlwinds in flight. It was probably taken at a "press day" when they were unveiled as a new fighter bomber for the first time.
Quite a few aeroplanes came a cropper by being designed with Rolls Royce engines other than Merlins in mind. The Manchester and the Vulture come to mind as do a couple of planes which were supposed to have used the Goshawk. All failed because these engines were pressed into service without adequate development.
Bristol seemed to do a far better job with designing and building a range of engines than Rolls Royce were able to achieve.
Quite a few aeroplanes came a cropper by being designed with Rolls Royce engines other than Merlins in mind. The Manchester and the Vulture come to mind as do a couple of planes which were supposed to have used the Goshawk. All failed because these engines were pressed into service without adequate development.
Bristol seemed to do a far better job with designing and building a range of engines than Rolls Royce were able to achieve.
The Huricane would be my fave early warbird, the Mosquito and of course the Spitfire would be close behind, the aircraft that had the most impact on me personally was post war, the TSR2, A neighbour of years ago worked on the design team, I lost interest in aviation after reading about this stunning aircraft and what the (Labour) politicians did to it and our once, world leading aviation industry.
Makes me sick.
best get off my soap box now
Makes me sick.
best get off my soap box now
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