Best High Altitude Fighters

[shoresroad]

Would appreciate some suggestions on the best high altitude fighters for bomber intercept at 30,000 plus.

Mostly interested in top speed and handling in that thin mushy air up there.

Thanks!

[Lusche]

P-47M
Ta-152H
Spitfire XIV
Me 163


Following up are the other P-47s, P-38J/L, P-51B (though you might find the lack of firepower a problem), and to soem degree 109K, Spit IX,...

[bj229r]

TA152, P47M...152 wins for cannons

[grizz441]

AKAK

[--)SF----]

La7             

[titanic3]

Chalenge.

[shoresroad]

Thanks for the info everyone 

[JimmyD3]

AKAK

Hehehe, He's certainly up there, and he knows how to use that 38!

[Daddkev]

  163 is the one! 

[icepac]

Planning a proper intercept strategy is just as important as plane choice.

If a bomber is flying below 30k, then it's possible that even a I16 at 34,000 feet can run it down as long as it's not a KI67, B29, or ar234.

I've run down snailman's B29s with the most ridiculous plane choices but running snailman down and shooting snailman down are two totally different things.

The planes mentioned above by others are the best planes for quick bomber intercept.

[Zoney]

I prefer the P47N over the M.  It carries twice the internal fuel which you may want because there is a bit of patience involved with an intercept that high.  I also enjoy taking an ME262 up at alt like that.  Again, takes abit of patience because you not only want to be at alt, you also want to be at speed.  The ME262 takes a long time to turn at spped and alt but they aren't likely to get away if you keep your spped up.  She also comes in so fast that the buffs have difficulty having their guns on you for any amount of time when used with slashing attacks.  I know it has no defensive guns, but I did chase down a set of Mosquito 16's and killed them at 34K in a 262.  If I want to get up to 30k quickly the 109K will get there fast but you must be frugal and accurate with your rounds.

  gents

[smoe]

51D

[SmokinLoon]

Once a player hits 30,000 ft, he had better hope that he is in a P47x, Ta152, F4U-4, or Spitfire 14.  Sure, some other planes may have the engine to take them to 400+ TAS, but they do not have the wings to allow them to perform maneuvers.  Ultimately, the best "fighter" at 30k+ is the Spitfire 14.  The best bomber "interceptor/killer" is going to be the Ta152.  Somewhere between the Spit14 and the Ta152 is the P47M/N.  The thing about the P47's are their range, they have a range that is unrivaled up that high and make them a better escort thanks to a huge ammo load and a massive amount of "keep them away" ammo.  The Spit14 and Ta152 are more specialized, the P47's are more versatile.     

The P51D is a dead duck above 28k, actually the P51B performs better up high in terms of engine ability.  However, either of the P51's get sluggish in comparison up high.  Same goes for the 190's and especially the 109's.   

[Babalonian]

I prefer the P47N over the M.  It carries twice the internal fuel which you may want because there is a bit of patience involved with an intercept that high.  I also enjoy taking an ME262 up at alt like that.  Again, takes abit of patience because you not only want to be at alt, you also want to be at speed.  The ME262 takes a long time to turn at spped and alt but they aren't likely to get away if you keep your spped up.  She also comes in so fast that the buffs have difficulty having their guns on you for any amount of time when used with slashing attacks.  I know it has no defensive guns, but I did chase down a set of Mosquito 16's and killed them at 34K in a 262.  If I want to get up to 30k quickly the 109K will get there fast but you must be frugal and accurate with your rounds.

  gents

The think the M is often listed for high altitude maneuverability and viability over the N, if nothing else, because of its better power to weight ratio.  I'm with you though, enough experience fighting buffs at 30K+ in this game, has taught me that I'd rather play the patience game in a P-47N with more fuel and the same armament as the M.  If i have to deal with fighters or bomber escort up there though, then I'd rather be in the M.

Personaly I'd take the 152 for anything definitively above 25k.

[Changeup]

The fuel saver guy.

3000