Author Topic: what do you think was the best world war 2 bomber??????? (Read 1472 times)

Karnak · « **Reply #15 on:** June 10, 2003, 01:04:29 AM »

Ar234 is neat, but it doesn't have the fuel endurance to be considered seriously.

I'll add my vote to the Mosquito, though the B-29A, B-17G and Lancaster were all very good as well.

Otto · « **Reply #16 on:** June 10, 2003, 05:06:37 PM »

B-24, larger bomb load than the '17' and more reliable than the '29'

hogenbor · « **Reply #17 on:** June 11, 2003, 04:43:07 AM »

Fairey Swordfish

MiloMorai · « **Reply #18 on:** June 11, 2003, 05:53:06 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Otto
B-24, larger bomb load than the '17' and more reliable than the '29'

But much harder to fly and more 'fragile''.

Don't crash land in the B-24 either especially on water. Not sure if was the B-24, but one of the American bombers in a crash landing could have that upper turret break loose and crush the cockpit.

Squire · « **Reply #19 on:** June 11, 2003, 01:29:04 PM »

"Bang for the Buck" award goes to the Boeing B-17 and the Avro Lancaster. B-29, too late, B-24, not as reliable or as sturdy as the B-17 (close 2nd though and a fine bomber).

At least in the "Heavy" category, thats how I would score them. Its too ez to pick the most technologically advanced. The P-80 was the best USAAF fighter, but it flew at the closing weeks of the war and saw no action. You have to consider service during the war for the discussion to have any point.

Furball · « **Reply #20 on:** June 11, 2003, 02:55:41 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
"Bang for the Buck" award goes to the Boeing B-17 and the Avro Lancaster.

Mossie could carry 4k bombs on long missions, which is same normal load as a b17 apparently

Squire · « **Reply #21 on:** June 11, 2003, 04:55:13 PM »

Thats the problem, you are taking the "max load" of the Mosquito and comparing it to the "typical" load of the B-17.

B-17F could carry 9600lbs max, but often rolled with 4000-6000 due to range requirements.

Mosquito B.IV carried 4 x 500s as standard load, or 2000lbs on operations, all internal. The 4000 lb load is from a later mark, the B.XVI (Spring 1944) which had an enlarged bay.

The Lancaster could carry 14000lbs max (for standard bombs) but often flew with less than that, again because of range and ordnace requirements of the target.

Besides, the Mossie is in the medium category I think, its kind of apples and oranges.

MiloMorai · « **Reply #22 on:** June 11, 2003, 06:44:10 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Thats the problem, you are taking the "max load" of the Mosquito and comparing it to the "typical" load of the B-17.

What was the 'typical' load carried by a B-17 to Berlin?

Raven101 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 11, 2003, 07:26:11 PM »

Stuka bomber for sure because of the dang big bomb and since it was the most usefull during ww2

Squire · « **Reply #24 on:** June 11, 2003, 07:35:03 PM »

500 lbs x 10 for Berlin was a typical load. 500 lbs x 12 for targets in France and Western Germany was also common for B-17s.

Karnak · « **Reply #25 on:** June 11, 2003, 07:55:45 PM »

Squire,

There were Mosquito B.Mk IVs and Mosquito B.Mk IXs modified to carry a 4000lb bomb and they were in service before the Mosquito B.Mk XVI. The Mosquito B.Mk XVI was the first Mosquito purpose built to carry a cookie.

Still, it is a 1944/45 thing. The first cookie enabled Mosquito B.Mk IV raid was on the night of March 5/6, 1944.

vorticon · « **Reply #26 on:** June 11, 2003, 08:41:30 PM »

mosquito was best high speed bomber/attack...

best night heavy was lanc...best day was b17...comparing b29 and lanc is comparing apples and oranges...b29 was latewat and designed for daylight bombing...lancaster was made relativly early and was designed for night raids...during the day the americans would bomb the **** outta them...during the night the british would...

Furball · « **Reply #27 on:** June 11, 2003, 09:33:11 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by Squire
Thats the problem, you are taking the "max load" of the Mosquito and comparing it to the "typical" load of the B-17.

Sorry notice i said long range range missions, shoulda made it more clear.

Also the mossie was brilliant as a fighter/nightfighter/pathfinder/fighter-bomber/P.R./Anti-shipping + almost any other role you can think of!

Squire · « **Reply #28 on:** June 11, 2003, 10:57:29 PM »

Agree on the Mosquito, it was a war winner, no question, and one of the all time great a/c of WW2. "Best debates" tend to get off track, but thats ok, its fun to trade off facts and opinions.

Staga · « **Reply #29 on:** June 11, 2003, 11:37:54 PM »

For a quick intruder bombing mission would you rather take a Mosquito or Ar-234 ?