what was the best fighter in the Pacific

evangilder · 10-15-2005, 10:16 AM

I would go with that list too, Les. But I still have a soft spot for the Hellcat.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 10-15-2005, 10:18 AM

Id go with the Fw-190D or a Late Spitfire Mark. The best American fighter in my opinion for the ETO was the P-47. The P-51 is a very overated myth.

trackend · 10-15-2005, 10:28 AM

I like the P47 also Adler, but I guess I would pick the 262 overall I think the Stang was so legendary because of its bomber escort duties it really shifted the Luftwaffe onto it's back foot over home ground and became revered by the bomber crews as there savior at a desperate moment.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 10-15-2005, 10:30 AM

I agree with you on the P-51s mythical qualities. It comes from its ability to take the fight to the Germans but it was only unbeatable because it was in overwelming numbers. The P-47 was a much better fighter than the P-51.

Gnomey · 10-15-2005, 10:46 AM

It wasn't the P-51 in the ETO. In my opinion it would be between a late mark Spitfire, an FW190 or the ME262.

the lancaster kicks ass · 10-15-2005, 01:10 PM

i don't see why so many people think the -262 it's not got the best record, yeah she's fast and heavily armed but she was mostly used as a bomber interceptor, very different to a fighter..........

plan_D · 10-15-2005, 01:13 PM

The Me-262 could still deal with fighters, it's not like it was at the mercy of fighters when it was in the air. When in a dogfight the Me-262 would be near impossible to stop on a equal fight in numbers. However, I'd say the best for the ETO was the Spitfire 21.

trackend · 10-15-2005, 01:35 PM

The Hurrie was a fighter Lanc but she was used mostly for bomber interception a guy on the box a few weeks ago who flew P51's said that the ME262 was just too fast for the P51. I agree the ME262 was used mainly against the bombers but thats only because the bomber was a bigger threat to the countrys infrastructure and industry, without the bombers presents I feel the speed advantage combined with the hitting power would have proved overwhelming against the prop driven fighters of that period.

Gnomey · 10-15-2005, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trackend

The Hurrie was a fighter Lanc but she was used mostly for bomber interception a guy on the box a few weeks ago who flew P51's said that the ME262 was just too fast for the P51. I agree the ME262 was used mainly against the bombers but thats only because the bomber was a bigger threat to the countrys infrastructure and industry, without the bombers presents I feel the speed advantage combined with the hitting power would have proved overwhelming against the prop driven fighters of that period.

Agreed Lee.

carpenoctem1689 · 10-15-2005, 03:23 PM

Not surprised the japanese are hardly considered contenders in here, but it is hard to compete against the american aircraft in the pacific. I did see someone mention the Ki-100, and yes it was a successful adaptation of the Ki-61. However speed was rather inferior even to some carrier-borne fighters, like the F4U. The N1K2-J shiden Kai was a very good aircraft, fast, manoueverable, and had good speed and armament. The problems were the fact that they werent reliable enough because of engine troubles, and pilot inferiority. But the N1K2-j could have made nothing out of hellcats, and been an even match for corsairs and lightnings, had pilots been on scratch, and the aircraft been made more available. However it still gets my vote.

102first_hussars · 10-15-2005, 07:06 PM

One thing I learned was,,

Hitlers intentions for the Me 262 was to be a light bomber,

the only reason the me 262 found itself against bombers is because the Luftwaffe was testing its intercepting possibility.

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 10-16-2005, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carpenoctem1689

Not surprised the japanese are hardly considered contenders in here

There is a reason for that. The Japanese did not have a good track record against the US aircraft in the PTO. Even supposed "inferior" aircraft had much better kill ratios against the Jap aircraft. Plus it is hard to find aircraft that are better than the late Spitfire marks, Fw-190D's, P-38's and P-47's. It might just be my opinion but the Japanese did not aircraft that were better than those aircraft and dont tell me the Zero was. She is a myth.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 102first_hussars

the only reason the me 262 found itself against bombers is because the Luftwaffe was testing its intercepting possibility.

Dont know who told you that but the Me-262 intercepted bombers not becuase the Germans were testing it but because it had to. Dont know if you know that at the time they were bombing Germany with thousands of bombers day and night. Every fighter aircraft the Germans had including the Me-262 was used to intercept bombers. It was not a matter of "lets see how it does" but a matter of it needs to be done.