The best fighter of WWII

[tools4fools]

What makes the 109 and Spit different and outstanding is those two were competitive throughout the entire war, not only during a certain period.

If you put in 'mission capability' and 'service record' the those of a P-51/P-47/Fw 190 would be zilch in 39 and 40...
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[Bewolf]

Originally Posted by tools4fools

What makes the 109 and Spit different and outstanding is those two were competitive throughout the entire war, not only during a certain period.

If you put in 'mission capability' and 'service record' the those of a P-51/P-47/Fw 190 would be zilch in 39 and 40...
++++++

Agreed, those two are the "iconic adversaries" of WW2, atop of eveyplane else for the simple reason that these two planes were there from start to end. The 109 even fought in the spanish civil war. Both found their way in one form or another into Israel, which must be considered the greatest irony of all.

So maybe not the best, but certainly the most epic.

[Rumcajs]

I've found this nice article http://www.historynet.com/messerschmitt-me-109.htm . Just read the first few sentences

Few arguments are more futile–yet more perennially enticing–than the question of which was the greatest fighter of World War II. What criterion does one use to define 'great?' Performance? Versatility? Combat record? Don't ask veteran fighter pilots to settle the matter. They have their own opinions, best expressed by the late Soviet ace of aces Ivan Kozhedub's answer to the question: 'The La-7. I hope you understand why.' The Lavochkin La-7 was indisputably a great fighter. More important, it was his fighter.

[SiThSpAwN]

Originally Posted by Rumcajs

I've found this nice article http://www.historynet.com/messerschmitt-me-109.htm . Just read the first few sentences

Few arguments are more futile–yet more perennially enticing–than the question of which was the greatest fighter of World War II. What criterion does one use to define 'great?' Performance? Versatility? Combat record? Don't ask veteran fighter pilots to settle the matter. They have their own opinions, best expressed by the late Soviet ace of aces Ivan Kozhedub's answer to the question: 'The La-7. I hope you understand why.' The Lavochkin La-7 was indisputably a great fighter. More important, it was his fighter.

That quote pretty much says it all, most aces from WWII would probably say the same thing....