Top 10 Fighters of WW II

[Art]

I had been thinking about the top 10 WW II fighters. How do you really judge that? I remember reading something that made a lot of sense. The top four characteristics of any fighter are top speed (the altitude at which top speed is obtained varies, on the Russian front combat was at lower level than on the European front and that is taken into account,) acceleration, rate of climb, and firepower (with firepower arrangement of the guns and the quality of them can trump number of guns.) If those characteristics are superior to your opponent you can choose when and how to fight and can break off combat at will. I will also add range. Saburo Sakai once said that the great advantage of the Zero fighter (and really almost all Japanese combat aircraft was range.) Range means that you aren't watching your fuel gage and worrying about when you have to run for home. Range can be "iffy" because the stats often do not mention whether it is "combat radius" or "ferry range." Unless specified I assume the range given is without "drop tanks."

For comparison a Spitfire Mk IX which didn't make the cut and was a front line aircraft throughout the latter part of the war had a top speed of 405 mph and a rate of climb of 3200 feet per minute.

I am not just using type but the best variation of a type. The aircraft has to have had a production number over 2,000 (it has been said "only numbers can annibhilate") and had to be introduced into combat when it still mattered which eliminates all of the jets and a lot of excellent piston engine aircraft like the F4U4 Corsair (the "four hog) which didn't enter combat until June 1945 and planes like the Focke Wulf 190D that didn't make the cut on numbers. Some aircraft, like the De Havilland Mosquito Night Fighters make the cut but have several "marks." I include them because they are basically "framework" aircraft that were made in several variations that mostly centered on things like what supercharger was installed and/or were actually converted in substantial numbers from existing models.

My criteria, you don't have to like them or agree and feel free to disagree.

So from real good to great here are my choices starting at number 10.

(10) De Havilland Mosquito NF Mk 30 - Night interceptor, long range night escort fighter.

Of the slightly more than 2,000 Mosquito night fighters this was the one produced in the largest numbers. A lot of he line of Mosquito night fighters were almost ad hoc produced on existing Mosquito airframes. The Mk 30 is considered the definitive "Mossie" night fighters combined superb performance, the best sensors available (unlike German night fighters which had an array of antennae sticking out from the nose the "Mossie" night fighters had an actual radome.)

Top speed 426 MPH @22,000 feet. Rate of climb 2,800 fpm. Armament: 4 20mm cannon in the nose. Range: 1,300 miles.

(9) Yakovlev Yak 3. Air superiority fighter.

Typical of Soviet design, lightweight, highly maneuverable, and armed with very reliable high rate of fire weapons, though a bit rough around the edges. One of the first Soviet aircraft capable of dealing with the best the Nazi's had.

Top speed: 407 mph @13,000 feet. Rate of climb: 4,265 fpm. Armament: 1 20mm cannon firing through the propeller hub, 2 12.7mm machine guns in the engine cowling. Range: 550 miles.

[togor]

Don't see why 2K production qty needed for a list with 10 entries. Not the aircraft's fault if not enough were made.

The P-51 was a difference maker. The FW190A was the most advanced fighter in the air when it came out.

I had a friend whose dad was a B-29 navigator in WW2. They did not enjoy seeing the Kawasakis in the air. Some Japanese fighter designs were quite good, but for the deteriorating war conditions.

[Art]

Don't see why 2K production qty needed for a list with 10 entries. Not the aircraft's fault if not enough were made.

The P-51 was a difference maker. The FW190A was the most advanced fighter in the air when it came out.

I had a friend whose dad was a B-29 navigator in WW2. They did not enjoy seeing the Kawasakis in the air. Some Japanese fighter designs were quite good, but for the deteriorating war conditions.

the number is because the aircraft had to be introduced in sufficient numbers to make a difference. Just like the date of introduction is because they had to be in combat when there was still some real competition.

[togor]

Well "Top 10" could mean many things. The Bf109 is on the list then through numbers alone and it rules the eastern front for years, even if obsolete by the end.

Maybe best if you post your list.

[Art]

(8) Fw 190 A8. Air superiority fighter, interceptor, strike fighter.

The definitive radial engine Fw 190. German aircraft were fitted with a stunning number of modification "kits" that could be added and removed at will. The stats below are for the base model A8 which fought through the heaviest part of the air war from Feb 1944 to the defeat of Germany. One interesting thing about the Fw 190s is their ease of maintenance. An example is that instead of cables to operate the control surfaces that stretched and had to be constantly adjusted the Focke Wulf used push rods which were maintenance free.

Top speed: 408 mph @20,000 feet. Initial climb rate: 3,000 fpm. Armament: 2 13mm machine guns in the engine cowling, 2 20mm cannon in the wing root and 2 20mm cannon in the wing, or 2 13mm machine guns in the engine cowling, 2 20mm cannon in the wing rood and 2 30mm cannon in the wing. Range 560 miles.

(7) P38 L Lightening. Air superiority fighter, long range escort fighter, interceptor, strike fighter

Extremely versatile aircraft that outclassed almost everything it encountered in the Pacific where it mostly served. It was the aircraft used by the two highest ranking U.S. aces which has to count for something. It was also a very competitive aircraft in Europe.

Speed: 414 mph @ 25,000 feet. Initial climb rate 4,700 fpm. Range 1,300 miles. Armament: 1 20mm cannon and 4 50 cal. machine guns in the nose.

(6) Messerschmitt Bf 109 G10. Air superiority fighter, interceptor.

The "G" or Gustav Bf 109s were the versions the U.S. air force encountered most frequently during the European Air War. The G6 was the most common variation with almost 10,000 assorted variants produced. The G10, sometimes called "The Bastard Aircraft of the Erla Werk" was a successful attempt to improve on the performance of the G6 which was outclassed by almost everything it flew against by the end of 1943. This was done by using an upgraded engine, installing a new well thought out engine cowling which removed the lumps and bumps caused by the need to install upgraded armament and superchargers in the older Gs. The G10 came into service in Oct 1944 and 2,600+ were produced at several factories. One word about late war Axis aircraft. Problems with workmanship and strategic materials along with production issues like not having sufficient fuel to do adequate engine testing resulted in reliability problems with many aircraft delivered to the field. Like the other late model Bf 109s it was dangerous to fly and could be lethal to the inexperienced pilot. So, for a well set up Bf 109 G10 specs are:

Speed: 428 mph @ 25,000 feet. Initial rate of climb: 4250 fpm. Range: about 500 miles. Basic armament: 1 20 mm cannon or 1 30mm cannon firing through the propeller spinner and 2 13mm machine guns in the engine cowling.

[Art]

(5) La 7. Air superiority fighter, strike fighter.

Introduced to the Red Air Force in 1944 it erased the advantage the Luftwaffe had enjoyed in vertical maneuverability. It also solved the problem of Fw 190 strike fighters which were flying interdiction missions and running for home at high speed. The La 7 was capable of running them down from behind though with some difficulty. The Red Air Force claimed only three La 7s destroyed in air to air combat by the Nazi's in 1944 which even if its an exaggeration (or a big exaggeration) is still impressive. Some of the best Soviet aces like Ivan Kudzub got most of their kills in the La 7.

Speed: 411 mph @ 19,000 feet. Rate of climb: 3100 fps. Armament: two or three 20mm cannon mounted in the engine cowling. Range: 413 miles.

(4) Nakijima Ki 84 Type 4 Army Fighter "Gale". Air superiority fighter, interceptor.

The only Japanese fighter produced in significant numbers (just over 3,500) that was competitive with the best Allied aircraft. Beginning in the last few months of 1944 it was met everywhere the Japanese Army Air Force operated. It suffered from the problems of lack of sufficient materials as well as difficulty with producing and maintaining the Homare high performance radial it used. A well set up Ki 84 with decent fuel was a formidable opponent for anyone. The speed shown was obtained in a USAF test of a captured airplane using 92 octane fuel.

Maximum speed: 424 mph @21,000 feet. Rate of climb 4,300 fpm. Armament: 2 12.7 mm machine guns in the engine cowling and 2 20 mm cannon in the wings. Other armament kits were added as needed. Range: 1,200 miles.

(3) F4F2 Corsair. Air Superiority fighter, escort fighter, strike fighter.

The best navy fighter produced by anybody in WWII. It showed a wide measure of performance superiority over all of its pacific competition until 1944, and after that the Japanese aircraft that were competitive with it were few and decent pilots for them were fewer.

Speed: 417 mph @20,000 feet. Initial climb rate 3300 fpm. Armament: 6 fifty cal. machine guns. Range : 800 miles.

(2) P47 D Thunderbolt, Air superiority fighter, escort fighter interceptor.

Without a doubt the most versatile aircraft of WWII, it excelled in every role assigned to it. A case could be made for it being number 1 based just on that versatility.

Speed: 433 mph @ 29,000 feet. Rate of climb: 3,200 fpm. Range: 800 miles. Armament 8 50 cal. machine guns.

We have a tie for number 1 so I guess we actually have a top 11.

(1A) The Griffon engine Spitfires. Air superiority fighter, interceptor.

It's 1A because of its low production numbers (just over 2,000) compared to number 1 and short range. The difference maker was the Griffon engine which had previously been used mostly in naval strike aircraft but was very powerful. Like the night fighter Mosquitos it's another ad hoc plane. A decent number were made by converting older air frames because the Griffon engine would fit into a Merlin engine Spitfire airframe with little modification. Aircraft varied on issues like superchargers. The earlier (1942) ones had single stage superchargers which limited altitude performance but because of their great low altitude speed, were put into service running down buzz bombs. The Mk XIV high altitude variant was the class of the field against any adversary except no. 1 which is next up. Its astonishing rate of climb was better than any WWII aircraft with a propeller and comparable to some early jets. One problem for pilots was the engine generated tremendous torque and the prop rotated the opposite way from the Merlin versions. It is distinguishable easily at first glance by its 5 bladed air screw. These aircraft would eventually equip 20 squadrons, and like the Mustang would soldier on into the mid 1950s.

Speed: 445 mph @ 29,000 feet. Initial rate of climb 5,050 fpm. Armament: 2 20 mm cannon and 4 .303 cal. machine guns, or 2 20mm cannon and 2 50 cal. machine guns in the wings. Range: 445 miles.

(1) P51D Mustang. Air superiority fighter, escort fighter, strike fighter.

No asterisk or (A) after this one. Widely considered the finest piston engine fighter produced by anyone anywhere. Total production exceeded 8,000. Sticking a Brit Merlin engine and a good supercharger in this excellent design made it the dominant aircraft of WW II wherever it served..

Speed: 440 mph @ 30,000 feet. Initial rate of climb: 3,300 fpm. Armament: 6 50 cal. machine guns. Range (with drop tanks) 1,600 miles.

Only three of these aircraft, it should be noted, are Axis models, and two of them were introduced late in the war and in comparatively low numbers.

[oscars]

Don’t have much of an argument with any of your chioices although, I would put the F6F Hellcat somewhere in your mix. A bit of an anecdote - moves to DC area in the very early 70’s. Our first insurance agency was a Mutual of New York, supervised by a former P 47 pilot, Quentin Aanensen. He subsequently wrote “A Fighter Pilot’s Story” which appeared on PBS in the early 1990’s. Art, you would have liked him as he was an LSU boy like yourself.

[Art]

Don’t have much of an argument with any of your chioices although, I would put the F6F Hellcat somewhere in your mix. A bit of an anecdote - moves to DC area in the very early 70’s. Our first insurance agency was a Mutual of New York, supervised by a former P 47 pilot, Quentin Aanensen. He subsequently wrote “A Fighter Pilot’s Story” which appeared on PBS in the early 1990’s. Art, you would have liked him as he was an LSU boy like yourself.

I would have liked to have put the Hellcat in too but it's performance was enough below the other's I just couldn't. It would have been the only plane in the group that couldn't make 400 mph and it's other characteristics couldn't make up for that within the guidelines I set. One Japanese ace after the war said the Hellcat was built to kill the Zero which it did in very large numbers, so its contribution to victory is undoubted.

[Major Tom]

F4U Corsair, P-38 Lightning.

[Sunray]

The NF Mk 30 entered service with No. 219 Squadron, in June 1944. Not in service long enough.
"...only Japanese fighter produced in significant numbers..." Um, you don't think 10,939 is significant? That's the number of A6M "Zero's" used from 1940 to 1945. The Nakijima Ki 84 Type 14 was on in service for the last 2 years of the war.
"...Brit Merlin engine and a good supercharger..." Merlins came with a good supercharger. The real significance of the 51b and later models was the extra gas tank that gave it the 'legs' it had.

[Art]

The NF Mk 30 entered service with No. 219 Squadron, in June 1944. Not in service long enough.
"...only Japanese fighter produced in significant numbers..." Um, you don't think 10,939 is significant? That's the number of A6M "Zero's" used from 1940 to 1945. The Nakijima Ki 84 Type 14 was on in service for the last 2 years of the war.
"...Brit Merlin engine and a good supercharger..." Merlins came with a good supercharger. The real significance of the 51b and later models was the extra gas tank that gave it the 'legs' it had.

I didn't say it (oversight) but 6/44 is inside of my time limit of six months in service in a combat zone (which I didn't specify except to say that the F4F4 which entered service in a combat zone in June '45 didn't make the cut.) The Mk 30 was just the most produced and the most capable of the Mosquito night fighter class though the earlier ones were no slouches either.

The A6M5 series of Zeros which were the best of the lot, but were just too slow at about 360 mph to make the cut. It's climb rate was at the low end of the single engine aircraft on the list. The only area in which it fully makes the cut is firepower. I think all 11 planes on the list are superior to it. The Bf 109 was the most produced of any fighter with numbers around 33,000 but only the G10 made the cut on time in action, performance and production. and it came into service in Oct 44.

On the superchargers. the original Griffon engine Spitfires (Mk XII) had a single stage supercharger that limited it at high altitude, why the Brits did that I don't know, maybe they were just experimenting which they did a lot on in service aircraft or maybe they intended it as a low altitude varient. They rectified that shortcoming (if it was a shortcoming) in the Mk XIV.

Interestingly the extra tank behind the pilot made the P51 a bit unbalanced if drop tanks were jettisoned while the internal tanks were full, and the pilot had to know about that.

[S.A. Boggs]

Within your parameter I have to vote for the P-38 with one additional comment on this fighter and that is the "education" that the plane brought early in it's career. Compressionability [sp] which the jets also found out and we learned to overcome.
Outside your parameter is the game changer and that was the ME-262. Thankfully Hitler interceded and held the plane back which helped Germany to lose the way. If Germany had concentrated heavily early in working out the bugs in the aircraft by 1943 this aircraft would have been a game changer for the Allies.
Sam

[jon_norstog]

My own top ten would include the planes that got us through the first couple years of the war, especially the P-40 and the F-4f Wildcat. There was the enemy and these were the planes we had to fight him. I guess I would add a couple more planes: the F6f Hellcat and the P-39, tw workhorses of the war

jn

[Art]

I was just thinking about speed and acceleration and speed which as Red said are the life blood of a fighter plane and how giving up those advantages if you have them is an invitation to disaster. In both Korea and Vietnam MiGs were shot down by propeller driven aircraft when they gave up their airspeed advantage. One of the most tragic examples of this error was the death of WW IIs second highest scoring ace Thomas McGuire whose 4 ship element got into a low level low speed turning fight with two Japanese Army fighters, a Ki 43 and a Ki84 (see number 4 on my list.)

McGuire had some ironclad rules one of them was to never engage in a turning fight with the a Japanese fighter aircraft and never at low altitude. He was, however, desperate to overtake Richard Bong who with 40 kills was two ahead of him. On January 7, 1945 he led a fighter sweep of four P28L Lightnings over the Philippines. The plan was to go from Japanese airfield to Japanese airfield trying to provoke a response. He and his team mates had descended to 1,700 feet under the clouds approaching a Japanese airfield when they saw a Ki 43 Oscar in its landing run and moved to attack. The Ki 43 was the most nimble aircraft in the Japanese inventory, even more agile than the Zero and in this case the pilot was an instructor with 3,000 plus hours in the type. The Ki 43 pilot saw the danger and turned to attack damaging one of the P38s. At this time McGuire ordered his group not to drop their tanks because after disposing of the Ki43 he wanted to continue the mission. McGuire turned to help the pilot of the damaged P38. Unfortunately the tight low speed turn made with the belly tank on caused his P38 to stall at 90 feet and the plane snap rolled into the jungle killing McGuire, meanwhile the Ki 84 got a clean shot at one of the other P39s, fired a long burst into it and the Lightning disintegrated in a fireball. By violating his own rules in engaging at slow speed and low altitude two P38s were destroyed, another damaged and two pilots killed. McGuire also tragically underestimated the opposition. Not every enemy pilot was a barely trained novice in 1945. There were still good enemy pilots out there. The Ki43 was damaged and the pilot landed in a field where he was killed by Philippino Guerillas (a fact glossed over by the Army both during and after the war.)

The Air Force felt that they could not admit the true circumstances during the war, or after it for that matter, for many years the story was spread that McGuire and his group had been attacked by a Zero piloted by Soichi Sugita one of the top ranking Navy aces with 80 claimed kills. This story persisted into the 1960s.

[Griff Murphey]

A really interesting thread and a lot of knowledge of WW-2 aircraft in this forum. Can’t really argue with any of the points raised but I think more in terms of the history involved and I would definitely have included the P-40 and F-4-F Wildcat/Martlet. The Ki-43 Hayabusa “Oscar” as well if only for the fact that undoubtedly when it was encountered it was often thought to be a zero. Then we get into really historic ones left out such as the Typhoon... ten is just not enough.