Only one fighter - Aircraft of World War II

renrich · 11-21-2007, 04:01 PM

I am stealing this question from one of our members who expressed his opinion to me but here is a hypothetical question: In 1940, in the US, the Roosevelt administration decrees that all future development and production of fighters shall cease except for one fighter and that all development and production will focus on that one design for the duration of the impending war. Which fighter aircraft should it be?

pbfoot · 11-21-2007, 04:19 PM

seeing how one fighter will have to be a Naval bird also that leaves the Vought Corsair as the one and only choice

lesofprimus · 11-21-2007, 04:22 PM

I would have to agree with leadfoot... The Corsair really is the only choice when dealing with the naval requirement...

ToughOmbre · 11-21-2007, 04:39 PM

Also vote for the Corsair...for the reason already mentioned.

TO

Jank · 11-21-2007, 04:50 PM

I'm not sure the Corsair was being though of as a carrier based plane in 1940. I don't think the first production dash one even flew until 1941, or was in 1942, either.

In 1940, it would have been too speculative to place all of one's eggs in a design that was not tried and true. In 1940, I say Spitfire. You would have seen development into longer range and carrier variants.

renrich · 11-21-2007, 05:15 PM

The intention was US fighters only and those in development or production in 1940 or before.

comiso90 · 11-21-2007, 05:19 PM

Corsair... It's landing probs could have been worked out earlier if it were that necessary.

or the P-26! The meanest looking bird ever!

Chino 2006 Airshow Highlights

renrich · 11-21-2007, 05:28 PM

Since it narrows the field too much, if I may, lets do away with the ship board requirement.

Thorlifter · 11-21-2007, 05:32 PM

Corsair for me also

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 11-21-2007, 07:00 PM

If there is a shipboard requirement I go with the Corsair.

If there is no shipboard requirement I go with the P-51.

Glider · 11-21-2007, 07:01 PM

FW190, who said it had to be Allied

Gnomey · 11-21-2007, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerAdlerIstGelandet

If there is a shipboard requirement I go with the Corsair.

If there is no shipboard requirement I go with the P-51.

Me too.

pbfoot · 11-21-2007, 07:04 PM

and the 51 also and it barely makes the list with that date requirement now if the 51 had never shown up I go for the Belle of Niagara the P63

drgondog · 11-21-2007, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renrich

I am stealing this question from one of our members who expressed his opinion to me but here is a hypothetical question: In 1940, in the US, the Roosevelt administration decrees that all future development and production of fighters shall cease except for one fighter and that all development and production will focus on that one design for the duration of the impending war. Which fighter aircraft should it be?

It would be the Corsair for me. Particularly in context of a single airframe/engine base of development. If all our egges ahd been put in that basket the resulting F4U should have been a very effective long range escort fighter by late 1942, in ops in Pacific as carrier fighter, at Guadalcanal, in China, in North Africa as air superiority *** Jabo fighter and capable of derivatives to go higher and faster as required to Approach P-51 and P-47 speen at altitude.

machine shop tom · 11-21-2007, 11:39 PM

With the Naval requirement, I'd pick the Corsair.

Without a Naval requirement, I'd pick the P-47. More versatile and rugged than the P-51.

tom

11-21-2007, 04:01 PM	#1
renrich Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 3,271	Only one fighter I am stealing this question from one of our members who expressed his opinion to me but here is a hypothetical question: In 1940, in the US, the Roosevelt administration decrees that all future development and production of fighters shall cease except for one fighter and that all development and production will focus on that one design for the duration of the impending war. Which fighter aircraft should it be?

11-21-2007, 04:22 PM	#3
lesofprimus Minister of Whoopass Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Long Island Native in Mississippi Posts: 17,506	I would have to agree with leadfoot... The Corsair really is the only choice when dealing with the naval requirement... __________________ My IL2 Video Tribute to My Grandfather: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtzN5RuNNJk

11-21-2007, 04:39 PM	#4
ToughOmbre Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Jersey Shore Posts: 3,233	Also vote for the Corsair...for the reason already mentioned. TO __________________ *“Let's get Enterprise* and Hornet turned into the wind."**

11-21-2007, 04:50 PM	#5
Jank Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 679	I'm not sure the Corsair was being though of as a carrier based plane in 1940. I don't think the first production dash one even flew until 1941, or was in 1942, either. In 1940, it would have been too speculative to place all of one's eggs in a design that was not tried and true. In 1940, I say Spitfire. You would have seen development into longer range and carrier variants. __________________ August 12, 1944 - In an armor cover mission at the Falaise track, Charlie Rife, 368th FG, 395th FS, takes 37mm fllak rounds to both wings. His wingman, Richard Kik, takes a 20mm round to the engine that knocks out two cylinders. Both make it back. Last edited by Jank; 11-21-2007 at 07:20 PM.

11-21-2007, 07:00 PM	#10
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 33,152	If there is a shipboard requirement I go with the Corsair. If there is no shipboard requirement I go with the P-51. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"[/I]

11-21-2007, 04:19 PM	#2
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,588	seeing how one fighter will have to be a Naval bird also that leaves the Vought Corsair as the one and only choice

11-21-2007, 05:15 PM	#6
renrich Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 3,271	The intention was US fighters only and those in development or production in 1940 or before.

11-21-2007, 05:28 PM	#8
renrich Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montrose, Colorado Posts: 3,271	Since it narrows the field too much, if I may, lets do away with the ship board requirement.

11-21-2007, 05:32 PM	#9
Thorlifter Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Dallas, Tx Posts: 4,346	Corsair for me also

11-21-2007, 07:01 PM	#11
Glider Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: London Posts: 3,655	FW190, who said it had to be Allied

11-21-2007, 07:04 PM	#13
pbfoot Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: niagara falls Posts: 5,588	and the 51 also and it barely makes the list with that date requirement now if the 51 had never shown up I go for the Belle of Niagara the P63 Last edited by pbfoot; 11-21-2007 at 07:25 PM.

11-21-2007, 11:39 PM	#15
machine shop tom Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 265	With the Naval requirement, I'd pick the Corsair. Without a Naval requirement, I'd pick the P-47. More versatile and rugged than the P-51. tom __________________ The First Amendment is indefensible without the Second Amendment.

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