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I'm hoping we can all learn stuff together. I like learning stuff. There's nothing more to it.

So, this week, I ask for a minimum of two paragraphs telling me what your favorite WWII Axis Power fighter aircraft was. No, not a bomber - but a dedicated fighter.

Hopefully, you can write two paragraphs about it. Feel free to write more.

I'm hoping we can all learn stuff together. I like learning stuff. There's nothing more to it. So, this week, I ask for a minimum of two paragraphs telling me what your favorite WWII Axis Power *fighter* aircraft was. No, not a bomber - but a dedicated fighter. Hopefully, you can write two paragraphs about it. Feel free to write more.

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[–] • 0 pt

I'll get you started with mine.

Mine is the ME-262 Swallow. There was also a Storm Bird version that was outfitted as a fighter-bomber. But, the Swallow is the one that I appreciate the most.

The Swallow was the first operational jet-powered fighter and possibly could have come sooner in the war, but there's a lot of drama behind that. Hitler wanted himself a bomber and the then-general of something-or-other was pretty pissed 'cause they didn't concentrate on the fighter version, so he quit. Surprisingly, TPTB changed their mind and a fighter was made.

They were jet-powered, but that's not as awesome as it could have been. They didn't have the metals and production methods to make very reliable engines - which doesn't detract from its awesomeness by a whole lot. The jet engines were rated for like 24 operation hours (total!) and some didn't even last that long.

You could buy a working reproduction that isn't changed all that much from the original. They're pricey but they're available. They lack guns and have much improved engines.

I like the way it looks. I like that it took a new tech and made it functional. I understand they had great flight characteristics.

This isn't about which was 'best.' It's about which is your favorite and why it is your favorite. Teach me.

[–] • 0 pt

My choice, also, the ME-262. They had one on static display outside a Naval Air Station in my neck of the woods when I was a boy. Fell for the 'look' the very first time I saw it. It was just a beautiful, sleek aircraft. Now of course, the same can be said about the P-51D, and as you noted above, the Corsair, though allied aircraft.

Actually, the Italians had a few good looking fighters, too, though they're often overlooked. It's not my area of expertise though, so other than seeing a few pics and some short write ups, I don't know much about them. They're kind of the forgotten WWII era planes. And from the little I've read, some were quite good and competitive to allied aircraft of the era.

[–] • 1 pt

The Italians were fond of 3 engine designs, during that era. But, yeah, the ME-262 is stunningly beautiful. It just says, "I'm built to fly." It's not perfect. It's not the best. It's my favorite.

[–] • 1 pt

Yes, the Italians were fond of tri-motors, but also had a small stable of single engine fighters. Many with German power plants.