[Rush104]

On the flip side of the "Worst Design Blunders of WW2", what would you consider to be the best potential combat aircraft of WW2? These could either be planes that were actually built (but were to late to see action); or aircraft that were on the drawing boards or in prototype status at war's end. The F8F Bearcat and the Focke-Wulf Ta-183 Huckebein are a couple of aircraft on my list...

[planenutsfrog]

In the twin engined fighter category, it's hard not to mention the Mitsubishi Ki-83 : A small edge over the F7F and a match for the DH Hornet and F82 !

[Epapazian]

The Australian Commonwealth CA-15 single seat fighter whose design began in 1943, is widely regarded as having exceptional potential, but its development was delayed and the end of the war precluded series production. Also high on any list would be the Hawker Sea Fury and Lockheed's P-80 Shooting Star, which would have been a big help in WWII, despite its failings five years later when facing the far superior MIG-15 in Korea.

[mikeb1958]

The Dornier Do-334 "Arrow" as well as the Me-262 (built as a fighter instead as a bomber as Hitler insisted a year or so earlier). Also the He-219 "Uhl".

[klussdog]

The planes that changed air combat forever would be my choice: Arado AR234B-2 Blitz & ME-262

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[smartd]

Supermarine Spiteful anyone?

[Martin Baker]

For me it got to be Me 262 for the Germans & for the British Martin Baker MK5 fighter

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Martin Baker

For me it got to be Me 262 for the Germans & for the British Martin Baker MK5 fighter

Interesting choice on the last one. This plane is sometimes reviewed as potentially the best single engined fighter ever made. By the way, is there any relation?

[Shawn 507]

P-39 Airacobra. F8F would have been interesting to see in the Pacific, but a Navy bubble top just doesn't do it for me.

[Hornchurch]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

Interesting choice on the last one. This plane is sometimes reviewed as potentially the best single engined fighter ever made. By the way, is there any relation?

Suprised I got beaten to it, was reading the thread thinking M.B.5 - then I get this far !!!!!!!!!

Good Call,

Shame the advent of the Jets killed it off - I reckon the M.B.3 looks interesting but clumsy, unlike the M.B.5, looking somewhat like a Spitfire/Mustang hybrid.......... mate the two, & this (looks like) the end result !!!!!!!