REPORT OF JOINT FIGHTER CONFERENCE

[Magister]

REPORT OF JOINT FIGHTER CONFERENCE
U.S. Naval Air Station
Patuxent River, MD
16-23 October 1944
-----------------------

This joint confererence involved representatives of aircraft manufacturers, NACA test pilots, representatives of the U.S.A.A.F., U.S. Navy, U.S. Marines, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force and fighter pilots from all the aforementioned services.

The Conference was held to evaluate several aircraft and understand their relative strengths and weaknesses and to distill desireable characteristics for future fighter aircraft. The Report is a running transcript of much of the 7 day Conference.

Aircraft included: FM-2, F6F-5, F7F-1, XF8F-1, F4U-1C, XF4U-4, FG-1, P-38L, P-47D, P-47M, P-51D, YP-59A, P-61, P-63, Firefly, Seafire, Mosquito, Zeke 52

On this thread, I will share some interesting views that were presented.

[GregP]

Could you post the entire text and graphics?

[Magister]

I will start with the "Summary of Questionnaires." Pilots were asked to fly numerous aircraft that were provided and were asked to rate several aircraft according to specified criterion. A summary was tabulated. (I will get into the meat and potatoes of specific aircraft after the summary which will shed light on why the votes turned out the way they did. There were specific comments concerning each aircraft.) I will cover a few related topics each day.

The division of votes were as follows: USAAF - 9 votes / USN - 15 votes / British - 7 votes / Contractors - 20 votes



Best All Around Cockpit (91 percent of questionnaires returned)

F8F - 36%
F7F - 20%
F6F - 16%
F4U-4 - 12%
P-51 - 7%
F2G - 5%
P-47 - 4%

Worst Cockpit (95% of questionnaires returned)

P-38 - 55%
Mosquito - 11%
P-61 - 10%
F4U-4 - 9%
P-63 - 4%
P-47 - 3%
F6F - 2%
P-51 - 2%
Seafire - 2%
P-59 - 1%
FM - 1%

Best Cockpit Canopy (96% of questionnaires returned)

P-47 - 43%
P-51 - 24%
F8F - 16%
F4U-4 - 5%
F2G - 4%
F6F - 3%
F7F - 2%
Any good bubble - 3%

[Magister]

Greg P. asked, "Could you post the entire text and graphics?"

No. I have no way of doing so. Anyone is free to purchase the report for themselves though. Just do a web search for the title and you will find it.

[pbfoot]

I'm not a math wizard but out of 51 votes do you end up with a differential of 1% out of questionaires returned

[Magister]

I'm just reporting the contents of the report. You are free to accept or reject anything you read.

[Glider]

Keep going Magister, its looks interesting so far and I suspect its going to get better

[pbfoot]

no it is very interesting and I don't doubt its veracity it was just an observation

[Magister]

Nicest Arrangement of Engine Controls (94% return of questionnairs)

P-51 - 20%
F7F - 17%
P-47 - 13%
P-63 - 12%
F8F - 10%
F4U-4 - 9%
P-61 - 5%
F6F - 3%
Mosquito - 3%
F4U-1 - 2%
FM - 2%
Mock-up - 2% (I have no idea what this is)
P-38 - 1%
F2G - 1%

Most Convenient Gear and Flap Controls (94% return of questionnairs)

F8F - 19%
F6F - 18%
F7F - 14%
P-51 - 11%
F4U-1 - 8%
F4U-4 - 7%
P-63 - 5%
Mosquito - 3%
P-47 - 3%
P-61 - 3%
Mock up - 3% (I have no idea what this is)
F2G - 2%
FM - 2%
P-38 - 2%

[GregP]

I just bought the report and I should have it within week!

[JonJGoldberg]

...Great salesmanship, thanks for bringing it to our attention. I too will buy a copy pending the answer to this question: The 7 British & 20 contractors disturb me, as there are only 51 votes. Are they more clearly identified as combat pilots, test pilots, pilots, or advisers?

[Magister]

I'm afraid that many of the disturbing aspects and related questions will remain unanswered even after you read the report yourself.

It's a must read though IMHO for members of this forum.

[Magister]

Most Comfortable Cockpit (92% return of questionnaire)

P-47 - 24%
F8F - 18%
F6F - 15%
F7F - 11%
F4U-4 - 9%
P-61 - 8%
P-51 - 7%
F4U-1 - 3%
FM - 2%
Seafire - 2%
F2G - 1%

[Magister]

Best All-Around Fighter Below 25,000ft (89% return of questionnaires)

F8F - 30%
P-51 - 29%
F4U-1 - 27%
F7F - 6%
F6F - 2&
Mosquito - 2%
F4U-4 - 2%
F2G - 2%

Best All-Around Fighter Above 25,000ft (82% return of questionnaires)

P-47 - 45%
P-51 - 39%
F4U-1 - 7%
F6F - 3%
F4U-4 - 3%
Seafire - 2%
P-38 - 1%

Best Fighter-Bomber (72% return of questionnaires)

F4U-1 - 32%
P-47 - 19%
Mosquito - 14%
F6F - 12%
F7F - 11%
P-51 - 7%
P-38 - 5%

Best Strafer (75% return of questionnaires)

P-47 - 41%
F4U-1 - 18%
F7F - 17%
P-51 - 9%
F6F - 7%
P-38 - 3%
F8F - 2%
P-63 - 2%
F2G - 2%

[Magister]

Since other members have now purchased the book and no doubt have the ability to scan and reproduce portions here on the forum, I will cease the laborious task of transcribing.

I look forward to the great discussions that this book should engender.