The best fighter of WWII

[Moggy]

It all depends on what you want to do with the aircraft. According to 1 magazine I read a few years ago, they came up with the P-47 (based on 4 mission criteria) as the best overall aircraft of the European theatre and the Hellcat in the Pacific theatre.

I found the list and the criteria...

Constant production improvement in combat capability
Four mission capability (air to air, air to ground troop support, bomber escort and photo recon)
Pilot compatibility
Service record

7. P-38 Lightning
6. BF-109
5. Yak-1 and Yak-9
4. P-51 Mustang
3. Spitfire/Seafire
2. FW-190
1. P-47