Which 3 Of These 7 Top WWII Fighter Planes Would You Put On Your Team?

Which 3 Of These 7 Top WWII Fighter Planes Would You Put On Your Team? | World War Wings Videos

Chowels / Danleo / USAAF / Kogo / Adrian Pingstone / Mike Freer / Gerry Metzler / Public Domain

Let’s Play A Game – Pick Your Top 3

WWII was a time of brilliant innovation that produced some remarkable aircraft. With the stakes unbearably high, coming up with a good design and getting it in the hands of skilled pilots was not just a matter of national pride, it was a matter of life or death.

All these years later though, it’s still debatable who had the best. Here are 7 of the many incredible fighters. If you could choose 3 of these fighters to have on your team, which 3 would you choose?

1. Supermarine Spitfire

Supermarine Spitfire | Chowells / Public Domain

You’d be crazy not to pick this legendary fighter. It’s one of the most celebrated planes of WWII in its entirely, and for good reason. Originally intended as a short-range interceptor, its variants took on many more roles. The Spitfire was famously powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin engine.

Pros

  • Excellent climb rate
  • Good turn rate
  • High rate of fire, causing large amounts of damage at close range

Cons

  • Short range
  • Narrow undercarriage ground handling issues

2. North American P-51 Mustang

P-51 Mustang | Danleo / Public Domain

Another iconic figure, the Mustang’s performance soared when combined with the Merlin engine. Used to escort bombers, it actually had a greater range than Spitfires. It also excelled in ground attack missions.

Pros

  • Very fast
  • Excellent range
  • Good visibility

Cons

  • Not as good of a turn rate as the Spitfire
  • Susceptible to ground fire

3. Focke-Wulf Fw 190

Focke-Wulf Fw 190 | USAAF / Public Domain

Don’t forget about this German menace. This plane started out as as a low-altitude high speed interceptor to counter the Spitfire. Its speed, climb, and weapon capabilities were shocking. Early versions lacked agility but that was soon remedied, and a fight between one of these and the Mustang was a fair one.

Pros

  • Faster than the Spitfire
  • Heavy armor

Cons

  • Small cockpit
  • Tended to stall when pushed to the limit

4. Messerschmitt Bf 109

Messerchmitt Bf 109 | Kogo / Public Domain

Though a predecessor of the Focke-Wulf Fw 190, this plane was one of the best planes of all time. Great at high altitudes,  it was one of the most important fighter of the Luftwaffe.

Pros

  • Heavily armed
  • Tough, simple airframe

Cons

  • Could be outmaneuvered by the Mustang
  • Tricky to take off and land

5. Hawker Hurricane

Hawker Hurricane | Adrian Pingstone / Public Domain

The Hawker Hurricane actually shot down more planes in the Battle of Britain than the Spitfire did. Though it may not have quite the same prestige, it’s a plane that you should seriously consider. Steady and well armed, the fabric covered Hurricane powered by a Rolls Royce Merlin was accurate and tough.

Pros

  • Great gun platform
  • Could turn inside a Spitfire

Cons

  • Carbon monoxide leak in cockpits
  • Not great on carrier landings

6. Grumman F6F Hellcat

Gruman F6F Hellcat | Mike Freer / Public Domain

The Hellcat was the great nemesis of the Zero. Rugged and well designed, this unholy beast of a carrier based fighter destroyed more enemy aircraft than any other Allied aircraft during the war (5,223). Powered by a Pratt & Whitney Double Wasp, it did so well that it was hardly modified at all.

Pros

  • Performed well at all altitudes
  • Great dive limit
  • Better armor than the Corsair

Cons

  • Slower than the Corsair
  • Lower turn rate than the Zero

7. Vought F4U Corsair

Vought F4U Corsair | Gerry Metzler / Public Domain

This zoom and boom had all the star power. It was definitely one of, if not the most, capable carrier based fighter-bombers of the war. Some Japanese certainly regarded it as the most formidable.

Pros

  • Faster than the Hellcat
  • One of the best roll rates of WWII

Cons

  • Lower turn rates than the Zero
  • Initial issues with carrier landings

We could go on to include more, but you get the idea! Weigh your options carefully, and let us know which 3 are your top.

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