In ww2 who do you think had better planes Germany or Japan

[Xdominick97]

Witch planes were overall better

[futuredogfight]

Germany hands down.

[Njaco]

Germany hands down.

between those 2 countries....yep!

[oldcrowcv63]

Certainly Germany early on. IIUC, as the war progressed, IJ did close the gap somewhat when it bagan to put armor on its fighters with higher performing engines. Too little, too late.

[lesofprimus]

I would agree that overall, Germany had the better aircraft, but at the beginning of the War, the Zero dominated everything it came up against...

[oldcrowcv63]

I would agree that overall, Germany had the better aircraft, but at the beginning of the War, the Zero dominated everything it came up against...

too true... too true

[michaelmaltby]

".... at the beginning of the War, the Zero dominated everything it came up against..."

With superb Japanese Navy fighter pilots .....

MM

[futuredogfight]

LOL yep.

[davebender]

I agree.

The 1930s Japanese economy wasn't large enough to fight China and the Soviet Union plus develop the latest military technology. So they fell behind in critical areas such as aircraft engines and 20mm cannon. 1930s Italy had a similiar problem. Money necessary for military modernization was mostly siphoned off to fight in East Africa and Spain.

[stona]

Mmmm! Generally I agree that Germany had the more technically advanced aircraft,however the Japanese developed a number of long range naval aircraft,not neccessarily carrier borne. Anyone care to name a German naval aircraft which could compete with the Japanese types? I can think of the Fw 200.
Steve

[davebender]

Variants of the Ju-87, Ju-88, He-111, Do-217 and He-177 were all excellent maritime attack aircraft.

[javlin]

Variants of the Ju-87, Ju-88, He-111, Do-217 and He-177 were all excellent maritime attack aircraft.

I thought the He-177 was a burner?

[stona]

Variants of the Ju-87, Ju-88, He-111, Do-217 and He-177 were all excellent maritime attack aircraft.

Scratch the Ju 87 on grounds of limited range. Only good for coastal operations like the Kanal Kamf.

The He 177 is an aircraft which I wouldn't fancy a long over water flight in! It was also produced in relatively small numbers..

How about a fighter?

Steve

[davebender]

A German deficiency for the entire war due to RLM decision not to place the Fw-187 into mass production. However the Me-110 was probably as capable as the A6M for aerial combat.

[starling]

Hey guys,how many U.S.heavy bombers were shot down by Japanese A/C.?Starling.