Table of Contents
What is considered the best WW2 fighter plane?
North American P-51 Mustang
The number 1 is no surprise: the North American P-51 Mustang. Often and usually considered the best fighter of the war, the P-51 was a game-changer for Allied forces. Employed as a long-range bomber escort, the P-51 was unmatched by German planes, especially at high altitudes.
Why does the F4U Corsair have gull wings?
Why are the Wings of the F4U Corsair Bent? The aircraft designer, Rex Beisel, developed a radical new bent wing – or inverted gull wing – design that allowed the landing gear to be short and sturdy while still providing ground clearance for the propeller.
How powerful was the Japanese F4U-4 Corsair?
This big and powerful fighter was feared by the Japanese more than any other aircraft. The F4Us top speed was 415 mph. Armament included 6 – .50 cal guns, 2 – 1,000 lb. bombs and 8 – 5 inch rockets. The F4U-4 Corsair of WWII had a range of just over 1,500 miles. Some state the FW 190 D-9 was superior even to the British spitfire.
How good was the Corsair against the P-51?
In early January, 1943, a captured Japanese Zero was put up against an F4U-1, with the Corsair proving superior in most respects. Against a P-51 Mustang, the Corsair outfought the Army craft above 12,000 feet, and was considered evenly matched below that altitude.
Why did the P-38 fly so well in WWII?
The P-38 (because of the contra-rotating propellers) was a very stable gun platform and, again, could carry a very large ordnance load. And, the center mounted .50 cal machine guns allowed for ease of targeting and concentration of firepower. And both could mount 8 of the 5-inch rockets with ease, which could easily take out German tanks.
What is the difference between the Corsair and the F6F?
But, as another Quora member reminded me, the F6F was a more forgiving carrier plane than the Corsair, so it became the standard carrier fighter, not the Corsair.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qo9SELpVM4