Author Topic: What WW2 fighter had the most versions? (Read 1566 times)

SunTracker · « **on:** February 02, 2005, 04:09:09 PM »

I'm thinking it might be the P-51:

NA-73X
P-51A
P-51B/C
P-51D
P-51F
P-51G
P-51H
A-36A
F-82
F-6a
F-6b
F-6c
TF-6d
TF-51d
P-82a
P-82b
P-82e
P-82f
P-82g
F-82H
PA-48

Karnak · « **Reply #1 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:29:37 PM »

I'm pretty sure the Bf109, Fw190 and Spitfire have that beat.

Spitfire list (I probably forgot some):

F37/34
Spitfire Mk I
Spitfire Mk Ia
Spitfire Mk Ib
Spitfire Mk IIa
Spitfire Mk IIb
Spitfire Mk III
Spitfire Mk IV
Spitfire Mk Va
Spitfire Mk Vb
Spitfire LF.Mk Vb
Spitfire Mk Vc (properly just a Mk V with a universal wing)
Spitfire LF.Mk Vc
Spitfire Mk IV
Spitfire Mk IIV
Spitfire Mk VIII
Spitfire LF.Mk VIII
Spitfire HF.Mk VIII
Spitfire F.Mk IX
Spitfire LF.Mk IX
Spitfire LF.Mk IXe
Spitfire HF.Mk IX
Spitfire HF.Mk IXe
Spitfire PR.Mk IX
Spitfire PR.Mk X
Spitfire PR.Mk XI
Spitfire Mk XII
Spitfire F.Mk XIV
Spitfire F.Mk XIVe
Spitfire FR.Mk XIVe
Spitfire LF.Mk XVI
Spitfire LF.Mk XVIe
Spitfire Mk XVIII
Spitfire PR.Mk XIX
Spitfire F.21
Spitfire F.22
Spitfire F.23
Spitfire F.24
Seafire Mk Ib
Seafire Mk IIc
Seafire L.Mk IIc
Seafire LR.Mk IIc
Seafire F.Mk III
Seafire L.Mk III
Seafire FR.Mk III
Seafire Mk XV
Seafire F.Mk XVII
Seafire FR.Mk XVII
Seafire F.Mk 47
Seafire FR.Mk 47

Oldman731 · « **Reply #2 on:** February 02, 2005, 04:38:02 PM »

I would guess the P-40

-oldman

SunTracker · « **Reply #3 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:10:33 PM »

One website shows the variants of just the P-51D to be:
44-13253 / 44-15252 109-26886 / 28885
44-15253 / 44-15752 109-35536 / 36035
44-63160 / 44-64159 122-30886 / 31885
44-72027 / 44-72126 122-31886 / 31985
44-72127 / 44-73626 122-38586 / 40085
44-73627 / 44-75026 122-40167 / 41566

44-11153 / 44-11352 111-29286 / 29485
44-12853 / 44-13252 111-36136 / 36535
44-84390 / 44-84989 124-44246 / 44845
45-11343 / 45-11742 124-48096 / 48495

I am not sure what these numbers mean, perhaps just minor changes in the airframe.

GScholz · « **Reply #4 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:21:14 PM »

Well Suntracker, if the airframe number is your definition of "variants" there were 37,000 variants of the Bf109.

Bodhi · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:37:29 PM »

The F-82 is not a "version" of the Mustang.

It is a completely new design which borrowed some upon an earlier North American aircraft.

SunTracker · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:46:47 PM »

GScholz, I believe those numbers represent minor variations in the aircraft design, not just "airframe numbers". Equivalent perhaps to the number designation on Bf-109s (ex Bf-109g2,g6,g10).

The F-82 is a version of the P-51. Without the P-51, there would not have been an F-82. Some parts had been modified and blended, but this constitutes a variant. The P-51H probably shared little in common with the P-51A.

Rasker · « **Reply #7 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:58:37 PM »

Hmm didn't the P40 and the P39 both go up thru the Q version before they were done? On that basis, I'd guess either one of these.

Bodhi · « **Reply #8 on:** February 02, 2005, 05:59:14 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SunTracker

The F-82 is a version of the P-51. Without the P-51, there would not have been an F-82. Some parts had been modified and blended, but this constitutes a variant. The P-51H probably shared little in common with the P-51A.

SunTracker, not to be rude, but:

Name WHICH parts that have been "modified and blended" to fit the "Twin Mustang".

The wing, is a completely different design.
The flaps are completely different, as are all control surfaces.
The Fuselage is longer and wider.
The Empennage is completely different.
The only thing that remotely looks the same is the canopy (which is different) the radiator intake (which is different) and the nose cowling (which is all different).

There are very few parts which share interchangability between the aircraft. Most of those are GFE anyways and if you are going by that, then all aircraft are a variant of the others.

Bodhi · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:03:19 PM »

As for the most versions, I say it is the P38 or P-47.

SunTracker · « **Reply #10 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:04:00 PM »

Quote

The final chapter in the evolution of the Mustang airframe is the P-82 Twin Mustang. The XP-82 was originally ordered in anticipation of the extremely long range escort missions that would have to be flown from bases on Saipan to Japanese cities. However, capture of the island of Iwo Jima solved that problem and full development of the XP-82 was delayed. In 1943, North American Aviation proposed the joining of two XP-51F fuselages by a large center wing section that housed the armament, and a large parallel chord, single-piece stabilizer tailplane. The fuselages were lengthened 57 inches just aft of the radiator and vertical fin size was increased. Both rudders and outer wing panels were from the P-51H. Power came from two Packard V-1650-11/21 engines delivering 2270hp with water injection at 4000 feet. The engines were fitted with opposite rotating props to reduce the tremendous torque effect. Since the XP-82 was to be an escort aircraft, both cockpits featured flight controls. However, only the left cockpit had full instrumentation.

http://nasaui.ited.uidaho.edu/nasaspark/safety/types/P82.htm

GScholz · « **Reply #11 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:05:45 PM »

The G-2, G-6, G-10 etc represent significant developments of the 109.

Let's look at the more minor variants for comparison:

Bf 109 V1
Bf 109 V2
Bf 109 V3
Bf 109 V4
Bf 109 V5
Bf 109 V6
Bf 109 V7
Bf 109 V8
Bf 109 V9
Bf 109 V10
Bf 109 V10a
Bf 109 V11
Bf 109 V12
Bf 109 V13
Bf 109 V14
Bf 109 V15
Bf 109 V15a
Bf 109 V16
Bf 109 V17
Bf 109 V17a
Bf 109 V18
Bf 109 V19
Bf 109 V20
Bf 109 V21
Bf 109 V22
Bf 109 V23
Bf 109 V24
Bf 109 V25
Bf 109 V26
Bf 109 V30
Bf 109 V3a
Bf 109 V31
Bf 109 V48
Bf 109 V49
Bf 109 V50
Bf 109 V52
Bf 109 V54
Bf 109 V55

Bf 109 A

Bf 109 B-0
Bf 109 B-1
Bf 109 B-2

Bf 109 C-0
Bf 109 C-1
Bf 109 C-2
Bf 109 C-3
Bf 109 C-4

Bf 109 D-0
Bf 109 D-1

Bf 109 E-0
Bf 109 E-1
Bf 109 E-1/B
Bf 109 E-2
Bf 109 E-3
Bf 109 E-3a
Bf 109 E-3/B
Bf 109 E-4
Bf 109 E-4/B
Bf 109 E-4/N
Bf 109 E-4/BN
Bf 109 E-4/Trop
Bf 109 E-5
Bf 109 E-6
Bf 109 E-7
Bf 109 E-7/U1
Bf 109 E-7/U2
Bf 109 E-7/U3
Bf 109 E-7/B
Bf 109 E-7/Z
Bf 109 E-7/Trop
Bf 109 E-8
Bf 109 E-9

Bf 109 T-0
Bf 109 T-1
Bf 109 T-2

Bf 109 F-0
Bf 109 F-1
Bf 109 F-2
Bf 109 F-2/B
Bf 109 F-2/Z
Bf 109 F-2/Z Trop
Bf 109 F-2/Trop
Bf 109 F-3
Bf 109 F-4
Bf 109 F-4/B
Bf 109 F-4/R 1
Bf 109 F-4/R 2
Bf 109 F-4/R 3
Bf 109 F-4/R 6
Bf 109 F-4/Trop
Bf 109 F-4/Z
Bf 109 F-4/Z Trop
Bf 109 F-5
Bf 109 F-6

Bf 109 G-0
Bf 109 G-1
Bf 109 G-1/R 2
Bf 109 G-1/U 2
Bf 109 G-1/trop
Bf 109 G-2
Bf 109 G-2/trop
Bf 109 G-2/R 2
Bf 109 G-2/R 3
Bf 109 G-2/R 6
Bf 109 G-3
Bf 109 G-3/R 6
Bf 109 G-4
Bf 109 G-4/R 2
Bf 109 G-4/R 3
Bf 109 G-4/U 1
Bf 109 G-4/U 3
Bf 109 G-4/R 3 trop
Bf 109 G-4/trop
Bf 109 G-5
Bf 109 G-5/R 2
Bf 109 G-5/U 2
Bf 109 G-6
Bf 109 G-6/AS
Bf 109 G-6/R 1
Bf 109 G-6/R 2
Bf 109 G-6/R 2 trop
Bf 109 G-6/R 2/R 3
Bf 109 G-6/R 3
Bf 109 G-6/R 3/R 6
Bf 109 G-6/R 3/Trop
Bf 109 G-6/R 3/R 6 trop
Bf 109 G-6/R 4
Bf 109 G-6/R 6
Bf 109 G-6/R 6 trop
Bf 109 G-6/U 1
Bf 109 G-6/U 2
Bf 109 G-6/U 4
Bf 109 G-6/U 4/R 3
Bf 109 G-6/U 4 N
Bf 109 G-6/N
Bf 109 G-6/trop
Bf 109 G-7
Bf 109 G-8
Bf 109 G-10
Bf 109 G-10/R 2
Bf 109 G-10/R 3
Bf 109 G-10/R 6
Bf 109 G-10/U 4
Bf 109 G-12
Bf 109 G-12/R 3
Bf 109 G-14
Bf 109 G-14/AS
Bf 109 G-14/R 1
Bf 109 G-14/R 2
Bf 109 G-14/R 6
Bf 109 G-14/U 2
Bf 109 G-14/U 4
Bf 109 G-14/U 6
Bf 109 G-16

H Bf 109 H-0
Bf 109 H-1
Bf 109 H-2
Bf 109 H-2/R 2
Bf 109 H-3
Bf 109 H-4
Bf 109 H-5

Bf 109 K-0
Bf 109 K-1
Bf 109 K-2
Bf 109 K-3
Bf 109 K-4
Bf 109 K-4/R 1
Bf 109 K-4/R 2
Bf 109 K-4/R 3
Bf 109 K-4/R 4
Bf 109 K-4/R 6
Bf 109 K-6
Bf 109 K-8
Bf 109 K-10
Bf 109 K-12
Bf 109 K-14

... and those are the German models. In addition there are Spanish, Czech, Romanian etc. models, including post war models.

Bodhi · « **Reply #12 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:08:21 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by SunTracker
http://nasaui.ited.uidaho.edu/nasaspark/safety/types/P82.htm

If that was the case, that the P-82 was basically two H's, it would have been much easier for us to restore the P-82 instead of making all new parts for those that needed replacement. Hell, the owner would have been a lot happier too.

GRUNHERZ · « **Reply #13 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:26:21 PM »

THe F82 isnt really even 2 P51H models, the fuselage is entirely different and much longer...

The Bf109 prolly wins for most versions due to sheer number produced overall and the German tendancy to build them in small batches for varios roles.

Guppy35 · « **Reply #14 on:** February 02, 2005, 06:33:17 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ
THe F82 isnt really even 2 P51H models, the fuselage is entirely different and much longer...

The Bf109 prolly wins for most versions due to sheer number produced overall and the German tendancy to build them in small batches for varios roles.

I wonder if you broke down the Spit the same way if it would be close. They didn't rename the Spit V for example despite it using numerous Merlin variants. But if you look at a break down of the potential combinations the list for the Spit is a long one as well.

I'd still think the 109 would be tops though

Dan/Slack