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The Soviets might disagree with youMy nomination for worst US fighter would be the P-39.
A fine ground attack plane for the early war years, but hopelessly outclassed by anything the LW had. And it could barely hold its own with the Zero.
Like I said, I haven't read all posts. Good thing you mentioned them. The MiG-3 was ok and did achieve some success. But that cannot be said about the miG-1 which was a horrible aircraft.I mentioned the MiG 1 with the MiG 3. The MiG wasn't a bad plane, but a lot of the planes (which are far worse) mentioned were either produced in small quantities or quickly had their roles swapped. The MiG was produced in large amounts and whilst an effective high altitude interceptor, it had to battle on as a low altitude fighter. So not the least successful, but it wasn't flash.
I think we had this discussion before. All in all, I think that would have worked. Howver the R4M rockets were extremely effective and everybody could have achieved a kill with them. So I don't see any reason why to discard the armament. The aircraft could still easily be reused afterwards which was rather unlikely in case of a collision.The Bachem Ba. 349 should have been used as a suicide fighter without the silly pretense to armament.
Hi Arsenal,
I guess we'll have to agree to disagree.
There are plenty of threads on this forum covering best/worst comparisons which can factor in all sorts of external factors (eg maintainability, pilot proficiency, etc) but this specific thread is about the success of fighter aircraft. The only tangible measure of a fighter aircraft's success is the number of kills it obtained. The reason I'm enjoying this thread so much is precisely because the original question actually removed the element of subjectiviiy (eg comparisons of different operating theatres, pilot proficiency etc). A fighter which, despite having opportunities, did not secure a single air-to-air victory is, by default, as unsuccessful as you can get.
Kind regards,
Mark
Thanks a lot for the figures but it seems a bit odd. According to these figures ... the Italians lost only 155 CR.42s (in air combat) up to late 1942.
Do you also have similar figures on the other Italian fighters? I wonder if they achieved an even better ratio.
Kris
Counting only combat vs. enemy planes:
East Africa:
50 planes shot down (4 Hurricane) in exchange for 28 lost
(1.8:1)
Over Malta, 1940-41 : 23 planes shot down (7 Hurricane) in exchange for 11 Cr-42's lost.
(2.1:1)
In the North African desert fighting from 40 - to late 42 (Alamein)
59 planes shot down (14 Hurricane) in exchange for 116 CR-42 lost.
(1:2)
In my opinion, hardly a failed design. Diminishing returns as the war advances naturally, being one of the last biplane fighters designed and built.
beautiful info
have you info only for fighter vs fighter combat?
have you data for desert campaign more detailled (i.e. for year or unit?)
Yes and yes.
Unit loss data is more sporadic. I'd have to dig. I tracked primarily by theater and time period.
can you show us data for C.R. 42 versus fighters?
and for desert campaign also for year?
thank you
When Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940, Regia Aeronautica had 143 CR.42 in its squadrons. The aircraft first saw combat during the Italian campaign against Southern France flying bomber escort for Fiat BR.20 as well as strike missions against French airfields. On June 15, 1940, CR.42 shot down 3 Bloch MB.152 and 5 Dewoitine D.520 fighters at the loss of 5 aircraft.
But what about the other days ??
Kris
edit: and now it seems that FOUR out of five CR.42s shot down that day where shot down by one guy, Pierre LeGloan. That's right, he shot down 4 CR.42s in a single day! Plus he also shot down a BR.20 bomber the same day.
Ace in a day, one of the greatest things a fighter pilot can accomplish, especially when 80% of that total are other fighters.When Italy entered World War II on June 10, 1940, Regia Aeronautica had 143 CR.42 in its squadrons. The aircraft first saw combat during the Italian campaign against Southern France flying bomber escort for Fiat BR.20 as well as strike missions against French airfields. On June 15, 1940, CR.42 shot down 3 Bloch MB.152 and 5 Dewoitine D.520 fighters at the loss of 5 aircraft.
But what about the other days ??
Kris
edit: and now it seems that FOUR out of five CR.42s shot down that day where shot down by one guy, Pierre LeGloan. That's right, he shot down 4 CR.42s in a single day! Plus he also shot down a BR.20 bomber the same day.
My nomination for worst US fighter would be the P39.
A fine ground attack plane for the early war years, but hopelessly outclassed by anything the LW had. And it could barely hold its own with the Zero.
afaik total loss of italian fighter in france campaign it's 5 fighters (42 and 200)
i need check but i don't remember fight on 15th june
Perhaps consulting some sources would be nice before lumping such an assessment.