Were These Three Of The Worst WW2 Fighters?
YouTube / Caliban Rising - Aviation
1. Curtiss Wright’s CW-21
The American CW-21s held significant promise as formidable fighters, boasting an impressive climb rate of 4,800 ft/min, surpassing even the renowned Spitfire’s 2,500 ft/min and the jet-powered Me-262’s 3,900 ft/min.
However, this potential was tempered by critical shortcomings, notably the absence of adequate armor protection for both pilots and fuel tanks. Despite this vulnerability, the CW-21s showcased superior agility, outperforming Japanese aircraft in both rolling and climbing maneuvers.
Nevertheless, their effectiveness in combat was hindered by their comparatively light armament; while Japanese Zeros were armed with Mk.3 cannons, CW-21s were equipped with .30-inch or .50-inch machine guns, limiting their firepower and combat capability.
2. Lavochkin-Gorbunov-Gudkov’s LaGG-3
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The Soviets’ LaGG-3 suffered from a combination of underpowered engines and excessive weight, resulting in poor maneuverability, particularly in dives. This deficiency often led to uncontrollable spins if the controls were pushed too hard.
Constructed primarily of delta wood with laminated wooden panels, the airframe was resilient to fire but prone to shattering upon impact with high-explosive rounds.
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Despite boasting extensive armament, its firepower failed to impress pilots. It was aptly nicknamed “Lakirovanny Garatirovanny Grob,” which translates to “Guaranteed Varnished Coffin.”
3. Caudron C.714
France’s C.714 originated from a lineage of highly successful aerial racers, notably the C.712, which aimed to shatter world air speed records.
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Transitioning from this racing pedigree, the C.714 represented an endeavor to militarize the swift aircraft.
Even though it was fast, everyone agreed that its engines were inadequate but changing it would require more resources. It was impossible to install a better engine without including the total redesign of the airframe.
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Upon its initial deployment, the C.714 swiftly garnered dissatisfaction, prompting the cancellation of further orders. Consequently, the remaining aircraft found their way to Finnish and Polish forces, where they saw limited utilization.
