[Epapazian]

We tend to pay the most attention to fighter planes on this forum but bombers also play a huge part in warfare so why don't we give this category some consideration? I'm thinking specifically about the many twin-engine bombers that took part in WW II. Some are dubbed "light" bombers, others are called "mediums" and many performed multiple functions. So here's my question. If you were a WW II air force chief and could select three twin-engined bombers to employ in a wide-ranging array of missions which ones would you pick? To get the ball rolling my picks would be the B-25, JU-88 and Mosquito.

[STARMAN 352ND]

I would have to say the A-20 & B-25 & B-26.......
JP

[jim]

Being a Brit I would have to say the Mossie, but for a genuine reliable workhorse the B25 takes some beating.

[Captain Eddie]

Being an American, I just MIGHT have to say the Mossie. Or the B 25. Not sure I know enough about them to really make an intelligent decision between the two, but I've read enough to know the were both excellent workhorses.

[stalag8611]

Well, there's the ubquitious B-25, and then there's the B-25, and bringing up the rear there's always the B-25.

[skysurfer808]

I'd have to say the A-26 Invader. The Mossie is close, but the wood glue those things used didn't do so well in the Far East (mossies there had a bad habit of losing their wings in flight). The Invader on the other hand had high performance, operated in both the ETO and Pacific, and served through the postwar era into Korea, various CIA contingency ops, and Vietnam. The Invader did have its share of teething troubles, and Hap Arnold himself once thundered "I want these things for this war, not the next one." The 3rd Bomber Group rejected its intial batch of A-26s sent for evaluation in the South Pacific, but later ETO experiences and the types performance during the last days of the war convinced skeptics that this was the best medium bomber of the war. The B-25 and B-26 both get an honerable mention, but the A-26 was both types replacements. Honorable mention ought to go to the Ju 88 as well, but the A-26 outperformed the Ju on all counts, and was after all flown by the War's winner.

Skysurfer808

[chiefs70]

I would say the Mossie first and A-20 second with the nod going to the Mossie for the slightly longer service time. Hmm, come to think of it maybe we should have - or someone already did and I forgot - included the A-20 in the most underrated discussion. At any rate, you can't go wrong with either one IMHO.

[Epapazian]

When I started this thread I stated that my own picks were the B-25, JU-88 and Mosquito. However a number of planes not yet mentioned certainly gave me more than a moment's pause. These include two excellent Russian entries- the PE-2 and TU-2- plus Japan's "Peggy"and Germany's DO-217E. What do you guys think of them?

[chiefs70]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

When I started this thread I stated that my own picks were the B-25, JU-88 and Mosquito. However a number of planes not yet mentioned certainly gave me more than a moment's pause. These include two excellent Russian entries- the PE-2 and TU-2- plus Japan's "Peggy"and Germany's DO-217E. What do you guys think of them?

Hmm, the Pe-2. A nice choice as it never entered my mind until you suggested it. I would still go with a few others ahead of it but I would put it in my top 5. Here is a bit of footage for your enjoyment on this bird:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn-ey...related&search=

[mikeb1958]

B-25 and JU-88