Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

[AAFO_WSagar]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

OK guys... busy trying to eek out a living on the net.. (not easy) doing other work... I try to review the email digest that I receive and watch for conflict... I did not notice any before this message...

Anyway.. Let's all not let this discussion (pretty good one so far by quick review) ruffle anyone's feathers...

We're all here to have fun and discuss airplanes and anything about them...

Easy to take offense where none was meant when reading words and not able to see/hear voice and facial inflections...

Wayne Sagar out...

[BillRo]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

I think you need a biplane to count. The Hawker Hart was a light bomber, but they made a fighter variant, the Fury.

This video is classic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIuQyKhSys4

BillRo

[eagledriver]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Technically, the Curtiss P-6 did participate in WWII.

The Chinese flew the Hawk II, an export version of the P-6, in the opening stages of the Sino-Japanese War that lasted from 1937 through 1945.

Of course, that all depends if you believe that WWII began in 1931 or 1937 and not just 1939.

[flyingjibus]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

My name is not dude. It is James Slade. You can also call me \'sir\', if you prefer. Many good people have rendered me that courtesy, so please do not disrespect me or them by calling me dude.

It\'s nothing personal. You\'re just trying to prove your point, and it ends up sounding more and more desperate. All Juke asked was what was \"my\" favorite pre-war (WWII) fighter. There were no conditions and/or qualifications. Thus, the P-39 is my choice, because it fits the criteria by being designed and produced before WWII.

The BUFF would qualify as a Cold War bomber, a Vietnam era bomber, and a modern bomber...just as the Mustang is considered a WWI and Korean War era fighter. Do you consider the Bearcat a WWII or a Vietnam era fighter? I say it\'s both. You can\'t pidgeon hole them to be mutually exclusive.

Mr. Sagar, I\'m sorry if it feels like this is getting out of hand. Not my intention to start a pissing contest. I\'ll leave this thread at that. Its not worth starting an argument over.

Jim

Mr. James Slade, I'm not trying to provoke you, agitate you or anything of that sort. I was simply trying to explain my reasoning as well as assure you I was merely attempting to promote my choice of "world's prettiest pre-war aero plane" award by way of my "how can you argue with this" comment.

If this is "not worth starting an argument over" and your intention is to "not start a pissing contest” Then stop writing three paragraph posts explaining why your reasoning is more sound then mine.

I apologize if my "dude" comment got to you. It was an attempt to bring a light hearted feeling to what I felt was a conversation you were steering in a more serious direction.

There is nothing personal going on here. I like airplanes, you like airplanes. Let’s get back to the task of discussing them and stop this stupid banter.

Remember, its only the internet!

Wayne, sorry to drag this on but I feel a response is necessary. This is the last I will say on this.

James, if you feel the need to say more please send me a pm

[Jason S.]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Heinkel He-100 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_100

I’ll second the He-100, especially the He-100V8 http://wp.scn.ru/en/ww15/f/430/2/0/11 I would love to see this with a modern/tweaked DB-605 running around the course….. Hey, even if it wasn’t super fast at least it would look and sound awesome out there.

[Lockheed Bob]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Airplanes are like women "Beauty Is In The Eye of The Beholder". I'm old enough that I once thought the Wright Bros. airplane was beautiful. We all have our favorites. Keep them coming without the infighting.

[First time Juke]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Bob is right..depends of the angle you are looking at it.

I didi not know P-39 was so early design:

From Wiki:

The XP-39 made her maiden flight on 6 April 1938[10] at Wright Field, Ohio, achieving 390 mph at 20,000 ft. (630 km/h at 6,100 m), reaching this altitude in only five minutes.[11] The Army ordered twelve YP-39s (with only a single-stage, single-speed supercharger) for service evaluation[10] and one YP-39A. After these trials were complete, which resulted in detail changes including deletion of the external radiator,[10][12] and on advice from NACA,[10] the prototype was modified as the XP-39B; after demonstrating a performance improvement,[10] the 13 YP-39s were completed to this standard, adding two .30 cal. (7.62 mm) MG to the two existing .50 cals.[10] Lacking armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, the prototype was 900 kg lighter than the production fighters.[13]

After completing service trials, and originally designated P-45, a first order for 80 aircraft was placed 10 August 1939; the designation would revert before deliveries began.[10]


I found the rare belgian R-37 when doing a poll on most popular ww II fighter in Finland.

Winner was P-51D with 21 %
Spitfire and Me 109 tied second place with 17%
All FW fighters together had 16%
Brewster Buffalo was fifth with 5.4%

There were 108 fighters in the survey ( Horten IX was missing ).

Swedish FVVS J-22 is cool too but not a pre war plane.

He-100d indeed looks very clean too.

[kiwiracefan]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

most beautiful prewar aeroplane.... I know its not a fighter, but damn its gorgeous and the french government commissioned a fighter version that was never built...

http://museum.eaa.org/collection/aircraft/Bugatti%20Model%20100%20Racer.asp

[sparky]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

If being designed, built, and flown prior to WW11 is the main criteria, then how can you not include the Spitfire. If it were purely a beauty contest, and performance did not count, the Spitfire has my vote.

Great thread,

Sparky

[taglialavore]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Yes Sir!
Spitfire

[rjmech]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Also not a fighter, but I would assume had some influence on fighter design, I would vote for the Hughes H-1 Racer.
Tad

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

I have to agree, the first version of the Spitfire is beautiful. As for prewar civilian aircraft, a Staggerwing Beech is pretty sweet as is a Spartan Executive (I think those are both prewar).

Will

[sparky]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

And don't forget the Schneider Cup Supermarine racers.

Sparky

[WARPT]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

Not a fighter.........but this one gets my vote!

http://www.airliners.net/open.file/0934553/L/

[RAD2LTR]

Re: Most beautiful prewar ( WW II ) fighter ac ?

And don't forget the Schneider Cup Supermarine racers.

Sparky

Those are pretty cool. I totally forgot about those.

Will