Best Fighter Planes of WW2
EUROPE
EARLY WAR PERIOD
Messerschmitt Bf 109: The Bf 109 fighter was flown by many Luftwaffe aces during WW2, including Erich Hartmann the leading fighter ace of all time, Gerhard Barkhorn the second highest scoring ace of all time, and the top scoring German ace over Western pilots Hans-Joachim Marseille. The Bf 109 first saw combat in the Spanish Civil War were German Condor Legion pilots quickly gained superiority over Russian I-15 and I-16 fighters used by the Communists. By 1939 the D model with a top speed of 304 mph equipped all German fighter squadrons, and in 1939-40 proved more than a match for the frontline fighters of Poland, Belgium, Holland and France. By the Battle of Britain the Bf 109E was coming into service with a top speed of 354 mph, and compared well against early British Spitfires. By 1942 the Bf 109G Gustav was reaching over 400 mph and was being used on all fronts, including ground attack, bomber interception and photo recon missions. Although the Bf 109 was a fine fighter it has some flaws such as a cramped cockpit, restricted rear visibility and a narrow track undercariage that made ground handling tricky. Its control also became progressively heavier as speed increased, and although manuverability was very good at low and medium speed, it deteriorated greatly at high speed. It was also short ranged which limited its tactical use.
Supermarine Spitfire: Most British WW2 aces flew the Spitfire, which proved to be a very adaptable fighter and in various versions served throughout the war period in all theatres. The Spitfire's all metal stressed-skin was a new technology at this time and delayed its production. When the war started the RAF insisted in holding most of its modern fighters in Britain and no Spitfires were sent to France. The Spitfire Mk. IA was powered by the famous Rolls Royce V-12 Merlin II engine, giving the early Spitfire a top level speed of about 360 mph and a climb rate of 2,530 ft./min. By the the Battle of Britain, markedly improved climb and acceleration rates had been achieved and fitted. Performance was similar to the Bf 109E, with the Spitfire being slightly faster and more maneuverable and the Bf 109 being faster in the dive and with a superior roll rate and having a performance edge above 20,000 ft. Early Spitfires were not fitted with fuel injection, and the engines would quit for lack of fuel if the aircraft pulled negative g's during a maneuver or was flown upside down. This problem was not fully solved until improved pressure carburetors were adopted in 1943. Later Spitfires models kept pace with upgraded Bf 109s and Fw 190s, incorporating many detail improvements and better streamlining, and top speeds of 450 mph. Overall the Spitfire was an exceptional fighter which excelled in the interceptor role it took on during the Battle of Britain. However like most other European fighters its primary shortcoming was its short range which became a serious fault when the RAF went over to the offensive.
|