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Originally Posted by jester
Yes, I too preffer radial engines, but, one can not argue with the inline engines of the Alison variety that powered the Spitfire or the P-51 Mustang, two planes that were some of the best of their class. And the P-51 was still in service with some nations into the 70s.
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Quibble: The Allison was in the P-38, P-39 and P-40. Mustangs and Spitfires used Rolls-Royce Merlins. The earliest models of the Mustang (P-51, P-51A and A-36A) had Allisons, and they were mediocre fighters. The British put Merlins in their Lend-Lease Mustangs, and found they had a winner! Upgrading to a four-bladed prop didn't hurt, either.
I was at the "Gathering of Mustangs" in Columbus 2(?) years ago, and it was phenomenal to see 100 Mustangs there. A 20-ship formation flyover was something to see!
Finally, The Nicaraguan Air Force was flying (radial-engined) P-61 Black Widows in the 1979 civil war. IIRC, the Honduras-El Salvador "Football War" of 1969 featured Corsairs vs. Mustangs.
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As for biplanes! Oh yeah! Those could be made quite easily, and some of them flew on kerosene which would be interesting. Or how about a small fleet of dirgibles? They follow the wind, fly about the enemy lines taking pictures and dropping bombs as they pass enemy positions. then, they return with the wind several hours later to freindly lines.
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The biplanes are more likely, dirigibles need a lot of material to make.