For you long time AH veterans, what would be the top 3 hardest to fly fighter planes and why?
Hummm....
Well, at the top (or bottom?) of the list would be the P40B-C and the P-39D, simply because their performance is so pathetic, even against their contemporary opponents.
Of the more modern planes, I think the FW-190A-8 is very hard to fly with success, unless you're simply blowing through furballs or attacking bombers. It doesn't turn or climb well, it isn't terribly fast, so unless you are somehow gifted with an opportunity to use its impressive guns, you're going down.
I always thought that the P-38s and Corsairs were difficult to fly well because it took me so long to figure out how to use their flaps to best advantage. Once that skill set is mastered, though, they're great planes.
Karnak is probably right about the 410, but I have trouble thinking of that as a fighter.
- oldman