What do you think was the best piston engined fighter of WW2.
For my money, the FW190D was the best all round fighter, able to take on a Mustang or a Thunderbolt on equal terms. The 109G was just as good and in the right hands it was formidable.
On the RAF side it would be the Spitfire MKIX, and the Tempest.
America I think that the Mustang was the best, the Corsair was a good fighter, but when it came up against the Luftwaffe during a Fleet Air Arm attack on the Tirpitz, they were shot out of the sky.
The Japanese of course its the Zero.
Russia I think is the Lavotchkin LA5.
Do any of you lads have favourites of your own.

This subject is always open for interpretation. I thought I'd add a few points nonetheless.
In the ETO some would say the P-51 was the best all around fighter. If you look at history however, the P-47 did a great deal of the work, along with the P-38 to a lesser degree, in breaking the German air force.
Is the P-47 better? It certainly contriubted greatly to the demise of the German air force.
The British has many models of the Spitfire, I would agree the IX was numerically significant and a good airplane, but it suffered from lack of "legs".
The Germans had the TA-152 in limited numbers, less than a hundered I think, but it was a very good airplane. Is it better, or more significant that the FW-190D or even A? I don't know. Above 20.000 feet I have read the FW-190A had some difficulties.
What about twin engine fighters?
In the Pacific, the Japanese air force had the KI-84 "Frank", probably the best air force fighter of the war. The navy had the Zero of course in numbers, but wasn't the "Jack" a superior aircraft in getting the raiding B-29's.
The American navy/marines had the Corsair. I think that was all around the best fighter for them, yet the Hellcat shot down more aircraft I believe.
Which is better?
Was the P-47N or the P-51D a better escort in the Pacific for the B-29's?
It might depend on who you ask. LOL
What about the Italians? The Macchi 202 or the 205?
Just some thoughts to consider.
I would like to hear some thoughts about what bomber was the best for various countries. Take care. Russell

Ahh yes,

THE question of the last 60 years (other than "why are women so weird?"). There are so many variables it seems, the biggest being who was at the throttles.

The Mustang would probably get the highest rating.

My favorites would be the (in no order)La-7, Corsair, P-38, P-39 and FW190 with the dirty, filthy beautiful BMW radial.

-Derek

BTW Scott, you may not get many responses to this thread as it is kind of like asking "What is the best flavor of ice cream?" But is great to debate over many, many, many beers.

The Best Bombers of WW2.
Well for the RAF its the Lancaster and Halifax, but for all round capability, its the Mosquito.
Luftwaffe, I would say its the HE177, although it did suffer from engine problems, it was the nearest thing the Luftwaffe had to the Lancaster.
America, It would have to be the B17 and B29, although the B24 was just as good, B25 was a great light bomber, and B26 was an excellent Medium Bomber.
Italy I think the Caprionni was a good bomber.
Japan its the Betty for me.
Scott

I like cookie dough ice cream.

Best aircraft? Did anybody make cookie dough?

Hi Scott,

This is always a fun and furious question! Last October the same question was asked, and it turned into some very interesting back-and-forths. The URL is here: https://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/forums/85720#710318

And my 2 cents:

Those intended for specific roles, on their merits:

Single Engined Fighter: P-51D--could do everything well, everywhere, without running out of gas!.
Twin Engined Fighter. P-38--only successful fighter VS fighter twin
Carrier Fighter--Hellcat; comparable performance with Corsair without killing the pilots!
Ground Attack.--IL-2
Single Engined Bomber.--Aichi B7A "Grace": fast, manuverable, good warload
Twin Engined Bomber.--A-26 Invader or Mitsubishi Ki-67 'Peggy": fast, manuverable, good warload, strong and well defended.
Multi Engined Bomber.--Lancaster or B-29
Dive bomber--JU-87: huge warload, accurate
Anti shipping Aircraft--B-25: decimated Japanese war and merchant ships in low-level attacks
Reconnaissance Aircraft--Ki-46 Dinah or Do-217P
Jet Engined Aircraft--ME-262
Flying Boat/Amfibian--Kawasaki H8K "Emily": fast, long range, warload, tough nut to crack
Nightfighter--HE-219: performance and firepower
Torpedo Bomber.--TBF Avenger

It depends on which theatre you want to look at.
In Europe, I have to say the P-51 Mustang hands down with the Bf-109 close behind it.
In the Pacific the P-38 reigns supreme. It didn't do was well in the European theatre due to the lower temperatures and speed restrictions put on it by Fighter Command but in the Pacific it's range and firepower made it devastating. Alot of them came back with only one tail or engine remaining with the pilot safe.

F6F-5 shot down more japanese planes than any USN fighter during WWII.
P-38 was Bong's mount -enuff said.
P-47N had the longer legs and more firepower than the P-51D.
P-40 - easy to maintain and easy to fly. Rugged aircraft. Held the line while the US rearmed.
F4U-1D fast and could carry a lot of ordnance. Dive bomber and napalm deilverer.

Oh, gawd, not this old chestnut again.

Scott, you need to be specific about what type of fighter you are discussing. Interceptor, long range, shipboard, night. Only then can you have a reasonable discourse without it degenerating into P-51 vs Spitfire and the like.

From an experts point of view, 'Winkle' Brown held that the Spitfire XIV was the best fighter. Try arguing with him.

IAN