Best WWII Air-Force - Page 5 - Aircraft of World War II

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 02-19-2007, 03:06 PM

Why do you think that is funny. The Finnish Airforce was actually highly successful.

FLYBOYJ · 02-19-2007, 03:37 PM

As stated earlier, for what they had and what they accomplished they must be on the top 3. I know their Buffaloes had the best kill ratio of the war, it wouldn't surprise me if the same is said for their Air Force...

Nonskimmer · 02-19-2007, 03:53 PM

Definitely an accomplishment. That small, relatively ill-equipped bunch of men held the line for a quite a while against the vastness of the Red Army/VVS. Let's not forget their deeds of the Winter War of 1939/40. Anyone who'd laugh at the Finns should look up a little history me thinks.

mkloby · 02-19-2007, 04:29 PM

The Finnish armed forces' performance was a testament to human tenacity and determination. By all measures they should have been easily brushed aside, yet they ran an amazingly successful campaign - although they simply could not overcome the sheer numbers.

Erich · 02-19-2007, 04:31 PM

the best air force ? my gosh so many possibilities and with different tactics involved, offense, defense and .... ? too much

Keine Ahnung

DerAdlerIstGelandet · 02-19-2007, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nonskimmer

Definitely an accomplishment. That small, relatively ill-equipped bunch of men held the line for a quite a while against the vastness of the Red Army/VVS. Let's not forget their deeds of the Winter War of 1939/40. Anyone who'd laugh at the Finns should look up a little history me thinks.

I agree. That is why I asked if he was laughing.

bigZ · 02-19-2007, 07:09 PM

Who is voting for Luftwaffe???

Yes they had their highlights but to say they where the best??

Still contend that the RAF put them through such a mauling during the BOB that they never fully recovered. Had to go and "fight a proper war" in their words after getting their sorry asses kicked. By the end of 1941 monthly production of British aircraft alone surpased the Luftwaffes.

Not denying they were a dangerous opponent after the BOB. But look at the disastous course pilot training took. Even upto 1942 it was still conducted in a relaxed atmosphere with skining jollies untill the demand for replacement pilots would cause the numbers of hours training to dwindle to a fraction of any allied pilots. Instructors and student fritted away in doomed operations. Night fighters with their specialist experience used in daylight defence. Goring as its leader. Performance drop of the 190 at altitude. Failure of leadership to gear up production earlier etc, etc.

If this poll was 1944-45 I would go with US airforce as its equipment was carefully planned, fighters with high ceiling and range, bomber formations with great strength of defensive armament, large bomb load and penatration. A bombing strategy that would force the Luftwaffe to fight and cripple the economy. decent training program. A competant Tacticical airforce with close cooperation with ground and air forces etc, etc. But this is a vote for the entire war so I am still undecided.

Finns put up a good show no matter who they fought. How did the Yugoslav airforce get on with their 20 licensce built Hurris?

SpitfireKing · 02-20-2007, 03:30 PM

Never mind what I said,I was thinking somthing else...

comiso90 · 02-21-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLYBOYJ

As stated earlier, for what they had and what they accomplished they must be on the top 3. I know their Buffaloes had the best kill ratio of the war, it wouldn't surprise me if the same is said for their Air Force...

I knew the finns were highly successful but highest kill ratio of the war? Better than the Corsairs 11:1 ?

Another post says the Buff had a ratio of 26:1.. difficult to believe. Are there any built in means of inflation ie. lots of transport aircraft shot down, ground "kills"?

I'd like to read more about that..

FLYBOYJ · 02-21-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comiso90

I knew the finns were highly successful but highest kill ratio of the war? Better than the Corsairs 11:1 ?

Another post says the Buff had a ratio of 26:1.. difficult to believe. Are there any built in means of inflation ie. lots of transport aircraft shot down, ground "kills"?

I'd like to read more about that..

Nope - the Finns really stuck it to the Ruskies and I doubt any of their claims are inflated.

Finnish Air Force History

Bernhart · 02-21-2007, 08:28 PM

have to agree, think the finns probably were the best, considering equipment,

syscom3 · 02-21-2007, 09:32 PM

Put it into perspective.

The Finns didnt have any designs of their own, no manufacturing capacity and didn't employ them in massive numbers like the other main combatants.

The US dwarfs all the other powers when it is subjectively compared in 1945.

k9kiwi · 02-23-2007, 06:20 AM

So I voted for the RNZAF.

What the shyte did ya expect me to vote for?

Pacific, Africa, Europe.

We were flying there before you knew where the stuff they were on the map.

Jam your subjectives where the monkey stores his peanuts.

ndicki · 02-23-2007, 01:43 PM

I'd vote for the R(X)AF and SAAF - never mind what the X stands for or whether it is there at all, the main thing is to keep in mind that the RAF and the Dominion Air Forces should really be (other than in a few cases such as the RNZAF in the Pacific) considered as ONE big multi-role, multi-speciality Air Force with some of the world's most effective aircraft, and some of the world's best air and ground crews, not to mention tactics of all kinds. Sorry for the Yanks, but they don't come close. Tonnage may be one thing, but it helps if the tonnage in question actually hits the target, and not just the general area. Forget the Luftwaffe - no strategic capability.

Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest
Mosquito, Beaufighter, Meteor
Lancaster

Says it all, really.

OK, you have to admire the Finns for fighter ability, but they had no long-range potential for doing the enemy serious evil, either.

pbfoot · 02-23-2007, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ndicki

I'd vote for the R(X)AF and SAAF - never mind what the X stands for or whether it is there at all, the main thing is to keep in mind that the RAF and the Dominion Air Forces should really be (other than in a few cases such as the RNZAF in the Pacific) considered as ONE big multi-role, multi-speciality Air Force with some of the world's most effective aircraft, and some of the world's best air and ground crews, not to mention tactics of all kinds. Sorry for the Yanks, but they don't come close. Tonnage may be one thing, but it helps if the tonnage in question actually hits the target, and not just the general area. Forget the Luftwaffe - no strategic capability.

Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest
Mosquito, Beaufighter, Meteor
Lancaster

Says it all, really.

OK, you have to admire the Finns for fighter ability, but they had no long-range potential for doing the enemy serious evil, either.

Although I appreciate your sentiments about the commonwealth Air Forces there is no way they had the ability or tools to compete with the US . I also don't believe the leadership of the commonwealth forces was on par with the USAAF/USN . I will concede that the special purpose units like 617 or the units running out of Tempsford were better then the Usaaf but once the US got moving in 42 there was no equal

View Poll Results: Best WWII Air-Force
Royal Air Force	66	23.08%
Luftwaffe	89	31.12%
United States Air Force	114	39.86%
Royal Australian Air Force	9	3.15%
Regia Aeronautica	5	1.75%
Royal New Zealand Air Force	8	2.80%
Royal Canadian Airforce	15	5.24%
Chinese Air Force	0	0%
Russian Air Force	10	3.50%
Japanese Air Force	3	1.05%
Multiple Choice Poll. Voters: 286. You may not vote on this poll

02-19-2007, 03:06 PM	#61
DerAdlerIstGelandet Der Crewchief Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Ansbach, Germany Posts: 34,081	Why do you think that is funny. The Finnish Airforce was actually highly successful. __________________ fly boy:"isnt that the first jet bomber becasue i have flown one in a flight sim before and i know how it handles"

02-19-2007, 03:37 PM	#62
FLYBOYJ IP/Mech THE GREAT GAZOO Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 16,874	As stated earlier, for what they had and what they accomplished they must be on the top 3. I know their Buffaloes had the best kill ratio of the war, it wouldn't surprise me if the same is said for their Air Force... __________________ > I Support Doug Gillis <

02-19-2007, 04:29 PM	#64
mkloby Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Jacksonville, NC Posts: 3,562	The Finnish armed forces' performance was a testament to human tenacity and determination. By all measures they should have been easily brushed aside, yet they ran an amazingly successful campaign - although they simply could not overcome the sheer numbers. __________________ If the Army and the Navy ever look on heaven's scenes, they will find the streets are guarded by United States Marines

02-19-2007, 04:31 PM	#65
Erich the old Sage Join Date: May 2004 Location: Platonic Sphere Posts: 11,110	the best air force ? my gosh so many possibilities and with different tactics involved, offense, defense and .... ? too much Keine Ahnung __________________ Rip it up !

02-19-2007, 03:53 PM	#63
Nonskimmer Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia Posts: 8,871	Definitely an accomplishment. That small, relatively ill-equipped bunch of men held the line for a quite a while against the vastness of the Red Army/VVS. Let's not forget their deeds of the Winter War of 1939/40. Anyone who'd laugh at the Finns should look up a little history me thinks.

02-19-2007, 07:09 PM	#67
bigZ Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 570	Who is voting for Luftwaffe??? Yes they had their highlights but to say they where the best?? Still contend that the RAF put them through such a mauling during the BOB that they never fully recovered. Had to go and "fight a proper war" in their words after getting their sorry asses kicked. By the end of 1941 monthly production of British aircraft alone surpased the Luftwaffes. Not denying they were a dangerous opponent after the BOB. But look at the disastous course pilot training took. Even upto 1942 it was still conducted in a relaxed atmosphere with skining jollies untill the demand for replacement pilots would cause the numbers of hours training to dwindle to a fraction of any allied pilots. Instructors and student fritted away in doomed operations. Night fighters with their specialist experience used in daylight defence. Goring as its leader. Performance drop of the 190 at altitude. Failure of leadership to gear up production earlier etc, etc. If this poll was 1944-45 I would go with US airforce as its equipment was carefully planned, fighters with high ceiling and range, bomber formations with great strength of defensive armament, large bomb load and penatration. A bombing strategy that would force the Luftwaffe to fight and cripple the economy. decent training program. A competant Tacticical airforce with close cooperation with ground and air forces etc, etc. But this is a vote for the entire war so I am still undecided. Finns put up a good show no matter who they fought. How did the Yugoslav airforce get on with their 20 licensce built Hurris? __________________ Lord Flasheart: [about planes] Always treat your kite like you treat your woman. Lieutenant George: How do you mean, sir? Do you mean, take her home at the week-end to meet your mother? Lord Flasheart: No! I mean get inside her five times a day and take her to heaven and back! Captain Blackadder: I'm beginning to see why the suffragette movement are wanting the vote. Lord Flasheart: Hey, hey! Any girl who wants to chain herself to my railings and suffer a jet movement gets my vote! Last edited by bigZ; 02-19-2007 at 07:13 PM.

02-20-2007, 03:30 PM	#68
SpitfireKing Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Nora Springs, Iowa Posts: 261	Never mind what I said,I was thinking somthing else... __________________ "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made." - Franklin D. Roosevelt "Courage is a quality God has seen fit to dispense with utmost care. The men of Bataan were His chosen favorites." - Major General Edward P. King, Jr., USA Commanding General, Luzon Forces, 1942 "No Mother, no Father, no Uncle Sam." - Cabantuan P.O.W.'s flag motto.

02-21-2007, 08:28 PM	#71
Bernhart Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 220	have to agree, think the finns probably were the best, considering equipment,

02-21-2007, 09:32 PM	#72
syscom3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 10,812	Put it into perspective. The Finns didnt have any designs of their own, no manufacturing capacity and didn't employ them in massive numbers like the other main combatants. The US dwarfs all the other powers when it is subjectively compared in 1945. __________________ "Pilot to copilot..... what are those mountain goats doing up here in the clouds?"

02-23-2007, 06:20 AM	#73
k9kiwi Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Kiwi Land Posts: 850	So I voted for the RNZAF. What the shyte did ya expect me to vote for? Pacific, Africa, Europe. We were flying there before you knew where the stuff they were on the map. Jam your subjectives where the monkey stores his peanuts. __________________ 4 out of 5 voices in my head say I am normal. Majority rules. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me.

02-23-2007, 01:43 PM	#74
ndicki Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 777	I'd vote for the R(X)AF and SAAF - never mind what the X stands for or whether it is there at all, the main thing is to keep in mind that the RAF and the Dominion Air Forces should really be (other than in a few cases such as the RNZAF in the Pacific) considered as ONE big multi-role, multi-speciality Air Force with some of the world's most effective aircraft, and some of the world's best air and ground crews, not to mention tactics of all kinds. Sorry for the Yanks, but they don't come close. Tonnage may be one thing, but it helps if the tonnage in question actually hits the target, and not just the general area. Forget the Luftwaffe - no strategic capability. Spitfire, Typhoon, Tempest Mosquito, Beaufighter, Meteor Lancaster Says it all, really. OK, you have to admire the Finns for fighter ability, but they had no long-range potential for doing the enemy serious evil, either. __________________ BATTLE OF FRANCE PROJECT for Combat Flight Simulator 3

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