Best fixed-gear monoplane fighter?

[comiso90]

Points for style..



The "Cutiest" airplane ever in circus colors.
Chino 2006 Airshow Highlights
.

[seesul]

Avia B-35/135

General characteristics

* Crew: one pilot
* Length: 8.50 m (27 ft 11 in)
* Wingspan: 10.85 m (35 ft 7 in)
* Height: 2.60 m (8 ft 6 in)
* Wing area: 17.00 m² (183 ft²)
* Empty weight: 1,690 kg (3,726 lb)
* Gross weight: 2,200 kg (4,850 lb)
* Powerplant: 1 × Hispano-Suiza 12Ycrs, 640 kW (860 hp)

Performance

* Maximum speed: 495 km/h (308 mph)
* Range: 500 km (311 miles)
* Rate of climb: 13.0 m/s (2,560 ft/min)

[kool kitty89]

Wouldn't that fall in the same category as the Miles M.20, as it didn't enter service? (not to mention production -same for the M.20-)

[Oreo]

My criteria was squadron service, like still in service by late 30's. Even so I forgot the P.24. And possibly others.

[Oreo]

obviously we could talk about the Fokker Eindecker. . . . lol

[Oreo]

Points for style..

The "Cutiest" airplane ever in circus colors.
Chino 2006 Airshow Highlights
.

nice picture.

[Marcel]

P.11 and P.24 were decent planes, but I think the high wing hampered the pilot's view, a bad thing for a fighter.

[Oreo]

P.11 and P.24 were decent planes, but I think the high wing hampered the pilot's view, a bad thing for a fighter.

Actually I'm not sure that's accurate. Look at the PZL cockpit's position on a good 3-view and ask yourself what could you see from in there, then compare that to a low-wing plane. The PZL pilot could see much more downward than a low-wing fighter, he could see above him, to the sides, and straight ahead, and pretty good to the rear. Possibly the best vision of any WWII fighter. Maybe. Take another look.

[Marcel]

Actually I'm not sure that's accurate. Look at the PZL cockpit's position on a good 3-view and ask yourself what could you see from in there, then compare that to a low-wing plane. The PZL pilot could see much more downward than a low-wing fighter, he could see above him, to the sides, and straight ahead, and pretty good to the rear. Possibly the best vision of any WWII fighter. Maybe. Take another look.

I did:




Look at the wing. If the pilot looks left, he'll see a wing. He can only look foreward in a straight line, slightly left and right and he's looking at the wing. Foreward and down his view is hampered by the wing struds. Yeah, he can look straight down and backwards, but that's not the point for a fighter, is it?
View was probably better than that of a biplane, but there's a reason why later fighter designs were all low wing.

[Thorlifter]

I'll go with the Ki-27.

[Oreo]

I did:

Look at the wing. If the pilot looks left, he'll see a wing. He can only look foreward in a straight line, slightly left and right and he's looking at the wing. Foreward and down his view is hampered by the wing struds. Yeah, he can look straight down and backwards, but that's not the point for a fighter, is it?
View was probably better than that of a biplane, but there's a reason why later fighter designs were all low wing.

Well I guess I'd have to fly it to know for sure.

[Marcel]

Well I guess I'd have to fly it to know for sure.

Ah yes, that would be something

[Oreo]

For the record, I'd enjoy flying any plane we've talked about on this thread.

[Marcel]

Yes, you'll never forget to lower your gear before landing Unfortunately there aren't many left. As far as I know, only 1 D.XXI still exists

[marshall]

About the visibility in PZL fighters. In P.11 it was very good because it was an open cockpit plane, so you could look under or above wing but in P.24 it couldn't be as good because of the closed cockpit. I know that simulations aren't real life but you can check the visibility of P.11 in Targetware mod War over Poland. It's not great but it's better than you think after looking on the photos of the plane.