What do YOU consider the best fighter?

[uptown]

It all depends on the skill of the pilot and how well he can exploit the enemys weaknesses. The top 2 American aces in WW2 were P38 flyers. You can have all the speed,climb rate and turn ability in the world, but if you don't know what to do with it and when, a P40 will beat you. SA is the determining factor in most fights.....not the plane you're in. Just my .02 cents 

[Karnak]

It all depends on the skill of the pilot and how well he can exploit the enemys weaknesses. The top 2 American aces in WW2 were P38 flyers. You can have all the speed,climb rate and turn ability in the world, but if you don't know what to do with it and when, a P40 will beat you. SA is the determining factor in most fights.....not the plane you're in. Just my .02 cents 

That dodges the question, nobody is saying that pilot skill doesn't matter.  The fact is that some fighters are better than others.  There are reasons fighter development didn't stop at the Foker Eindecker.

Also, talking about top aces, that ignores a lot of other factors that go into that.  F4U-4s and Tempest Mk Vs didn't exactly get to encounter a lot of enemy aicraft in the air.

[BnZs]

That dodges the question, nobody is saying that pilot skill doesn't matter.  The fact is that some fighters are better than others.  There are reasons fighter development didn't stop at the Foker Eindecker.

Also, talking about top aces, that ignores a lot of other factors that go into that.  F4U-4s and Tempest Mk Vs didn't exactly get to encounter a lot of enemy aicraft in the air.

P-38s essentially had every advantage except turn performance over most of what they encountered in the PTO, too. So plane had abit to do with it there too.

[Ruah]

P-38s essentially had every advantage except turn performance over most of what they encountered in the PTO, too. So plane had abit to do with it there too.

the point is fair'  the reason why the 38 had so many kills has to do with the nuber of enemy planes they encountered - by the time the Corsairs, Tempests and even the 51s were in the air, the Luft was all but dead already. 

Pilot skill can make a decent plane good, but a great plane can become truly great.  And the Corsair is really the best plane (starting to sound like a broken record here). . . and I think everyone agrees on that.  Personally, I wished the Tempest is perked too highly, but I suppose its best this way since I think a lot of us would fly it if it were not so. anyway.

[TonyJoey]

Spit9/8/16 End of discussion.   

[Karnak]

Spit9/8/16 End of discussion.   

F4U-4 will eat any of those for lunch.

[uptown]

Well if I had to pick just one plane I'd say the ME262.

[Masherbrum]

F4U-4 will eat any of those for lunch.

I guess it depends on who's in the Spit.   But then again after 12 pages, you'd think people could have THEIR OWN choice of what THEY "think" is the best fighter.

In two months it'll be the same group of guys pissing and moaning, all the while stroking themselves to the same diatribe that is cookie cutter, from 7 years ago. 

[Angus]

F4U-4 will eat any of those for lunch.

That is a very tough lunch   

[Furball]

F4U-4 will eat any of those for lunch.

I think that the vast majority of the people in AH would lose a co E fight in a F4U4 against a 16.  I personally would much prefer to be in the Spitfire in a 1 vs 1 situation.

As for the general arena style fight, i would prefer to be in the F4U-4 so that i can engage/disengage when i choose.

[Ack-Ack]

It's sad that after 7 pages in this thread that people deny what is clear as day...the best fighter is without a doubt the P-38.  To think otherwise is just self-denial.


ack-ack

[BnZs]

It's sad that after 7 pages in this thread that people deny what is clear as day...the best fighter is without a doubt the P-38.  To think otherwise is just self-denial.


ack-ack

You know, I've always wondered why more twin-engine fighters along the lines of a P-38 weren't produced in WWII, the advantages of neutral-torque and nose-mounted fire power being what they are.

[Furball]

It's sad that after 7 pages in this thread that people deny what is clear as day...the best fighter is without a doubt the P-38.  To think otherwise is just self-denial.


ack-ack

Yes, yes, of course it is.  Now back to your cell, i mean room, you go.  Don't forget your meds this time

[Angus]

I think that the vast majority of the people in AH would lose a co E fight in a F4U4 against a 16.  I personally would much prefer to be in the Spitfire in a 1 vs 1 situation.

As for the general arena style fight, i would prefer to be in the F4U-4 so that i can engage/disengage when i choose.

Very much agree. No lunch here 

[Cipher2]

Spit 14 and the F4U-4 are tied in my opinion, followed by the P-51D and the Spit 16