[stalag8611]

Actually, if you really think about it, the Spitfire was probably the most overrated fighter the Allies had in WW II. The Darling of the Runways got all the BoB glory, while the much undervalued Hurricane did all the heavy lifting. Movies like "A Yank in the RAF" and "Reach for the Sky" glorified the plane, but even numerous modifications could not make the Spit into a great fighterplane.

[Lofty]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

, but even numerous modifications could not make the Spit into a great fighterplane.

Thats tantamount to Heresy........
Have that man taken outside and spanked to within an inch of his life.......

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

Actually, if you really think about it, the Spitfire was probably the most overrated fighter the Allies had in WW II. The Darling of the Runways got all the BoB glory, while the much undervalued Hurricane did all the heavy lifting. Movies like "A Yank in the RAF" and "Reach for the Sky" glorified the plane, but even numerous modifications could not make the Spit into a great fighterplane.

Interesting sentiments Stalag8611, I'm finding myself thinking along similar lines - although elegant and well designed the Spitfire was possibly one of the most overrated aircraft of the war ...

[Folgore]

Wait ... Wasn't the Spitfire, as it evolved, able to hold its own against successive generations of Luftwaffe fighters throughout the war? I know it was short-legged an' all, but I thought it was a capable A-list fighter right up to '45.

[Berkut76]

I have to go with P-51D. An excellent, but overrated fighter. Even when it first arrived on the battlefield, the might of Luftwaffe has already being chewed by P-47, P-51B/C, Spitfires on the Western Front, and La-5s, Yak-9s, and of course, P-39s on the Eastern Front.

P-51D did an excellent clean up job on a few still living experten and a bunch of poorly trained novices, but once again it's not what PR made o fit.

Regards,

Sergey

[timbo]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

Actually, if you really think about it, the Spitfire was probably the most overrated fighter the Allies had in WW II. The Darling of the Runways got all the BoB glory, while the much undervalued Hurricane did all the heavy lifting. Movies like "A Yank in the RAF" and "Reach for the Sky" glorified the plane, but even numerous modifications could not make the Spit into a great fighterplane.

The Spit was an Interceptor not an escort fighter, and did that job better than anything else out there. They are two completely different missions, and really should not be compared. There are also very few planes that were in production from before hostilities started to after the end of the conflict. The Hurricane all though my personal favorite between the two really could not stack up to it, and performed the "heavy lifting" because there were more of them. To say it was not a great fighter plane is just complete B-S.

Like the B17 though the propaganda machine is still in overdrive, and giving it almost mythical status.

I have to agree on the comments on the B17. It's only saving grace IMHO was that it could survive a lot of punishment. DC mentions that the Lanc was a bit of a death trap if it went down. I have herd similar thing said about both the B17 and 24. I suspect this has a lot to do with the sort of catastrophic damage that these machines would often receive. - It's going to be very hard to get out of any large spinning plane that's in a terminal decent due to the G's inflicted on the occupants (That's if it hassn't exploded first) - Not a very plesant way to go. The bravery of those boys knowing the risks being taken was just off the chart.

Now what would have happened if Bomber Command had insisted that the Lanc should have a decent Ventral turret thus preventing the up and under cannon attack into the bomb bay. That was the Lanc's weak spot and frankly was criminal that it didn't get addressed.

I have to say that thinking about this question the only plane I can think of that was not overrated at all was the Mossie. When looking at the number of different missions that it did well "Wooden Wonder" really doesn't do it justice.

[david cotton]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

I have to go with P-51D. An excellent, but overrated fighter. Even when it first arrived on the battlefield, the might of Luftwaffe has already being chewed by P-47, P-51B/C, Spitfires on the Western Front, and La-5s, Yak-9s, and of course, P-39s on the Eastern Front.

P-51D did an excellent clean up job on a few still living experten and a bunch of poorly trained novices, but once again it's not what PR made o fit.

Regards,

Sergey

I agree with what you say, about the P47. This was the aircraft that destroyed the Luftwaffe Fighter arm in the West.

However, the P51 was needed to escort the bombers to the deep targets. The P51 may not have been as good as the Fw190D, but it arrived at the right time. By the time the FW190D arrived, the Luftwaffe Pilots were not up to the standard required. The Eighth airforce killed the Luftwaffe at a rate of near 7:1,

The Spitfire was a defence aircraft, it did not want the added weight of additional fuel. The Spitfire pilot in the Bob had a far better chance of survival than a Hurricane pilot. I think it was 3 times, but I will have to check.

The Spitfire was good in the offensive, when it could operate close to the front line. After the BoB the battlefield of Europe was not good for the Spitfire, until D-Day. After D-Day, the Spitfire was back in its element.

[planenutsfrog]

Originally Posted by Dan Flynn

The P-38 Lightning. Very famous due to Bong, McGuire etc but not as good as the P-51, P-47 and F6F. Some of the old pilots told me it was uncomfortable due to no heater - some other reasons can't remember.

The P38 is my choice too :

As an air superiority fighter, it was generally outclassed by contemporary single engine fighters. On the cost-effectiveness point of view, it was a complete failure.

That exceptionnal pilots were able to turn it into a deadly weapon, shouldn't hide the fact, that for axis fighter pilots, it was among the allied fighters the less to be feared.

[jim]

Originally Posted by stalag8611

Actually, if you really think about it, the Spitfire was probably the most overrated fighter the Allies had in WW II. The Darling of the Runways got all the BoB glory, while the much undervalued Hurricane did all the heavy lifting. Movies like "A Yank in the RAF" and "Reach for the Sky" glorified the plane, but even numerous modifications could not make the Spit into a great fighterplane.

Spitfire, a book written by the master Jeffrey Quill test pilot. He helped develope and test every MK of Spit. He flew them in combat and flew captured Luftwaffe planes in order to compare them and improve the Spit.
He said that the Spit was better than any Axis fighter and he should know.

The Spit not a great fighter? Read this book and learn the truth.


BTW the Spitfire could have been a long range escort but with the availability of the Mustangs and P47 production of a long range Spit was deemed unnecessary but the option was there if needed.

He flight tested a fully armed long range version and it worked just fine.

[Louie]

a couple I would like to mention would be the ME-262 and the P-38. The 262 was not very maneuverable and was vulnerable when landing. It was complicated to produce. The P-38 was a good weapons platform I understand but was not very good dog fighter. Both of these planes seem to have mythical proportions in the history books. I have never been impressed with either. Planes that are hallowed for performance in my book are the F4u Corsair, F6F Hellcat,Wildcat, P-51.P-47, BF-109,FW190,Zero,Hurricane and P-40. These planes were ace makers no doubt. Some were better armed or longer legged but they did the job. There of course were others that performed limited roles and were excellent, but in my heart I feel that all of the above were legendary machines. Bong made the P-38 famous, but I was never impressed with it's numbers on the score board. I wonder if Galland and Nowotny preferred the 109 to the 262?